Peterborough Takes Action for Monarch Conservation Through 10 Kilometre Monarch Run

Local community members who are concerned about the environment and the plight of monarch butterflies are encouraged to join the inaugural Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Millennium Park.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

As many are aware the migratory monarch butterfly is now an endangered species, threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. The Monarch Ultra, a community-led group in Peterborough, is launching a new initiative as a call to action to protect monarchs and inspire positive environmental change.

After the initial 4,300 kilometre relay from Canada to Mexico in 2019 and the 1,800 kilometre relay within Ontario in 2021, the organization is embarking on a series of runs in Canada, the US and Mexico as well as organizing a Monarch Butterfly Festival in Peterborough to raise awareness for monarch conservation this year.

Runners can register for the 10 kilometre race and fundraise for Nación Verde, a non-profit conservation organization in Mexico that is helping to restore habitat loss from deforestation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The organization works in several areas including conservation, regeneration and protection of the environment. This year, Nación Verde is planning to plant 100,000 Oyamel trees along 100 hectares. Overall, planting trees is beneficial for the environment because it helps to fight climate change, minimize soil erosion, promote healthy forest and biodiversity, and helps reduce carbon dioxide. 100% of donations raised through the Monarch Run will be for Nación Verde who is playing a vital role in protecting habitat for monarch butterflies and other forest dwellers at the Reserva de la Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca. Registration for the Peterborough 10 kilometre race and 1 kilometre kids fun run can be found online.

“I would love to see a sea of orange and black along the race route. An image of humans running with wings will mimic the monarch migration which takes place around the same time as our race,” says race director for the Monarch Ultra Jodi McNeill.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

The Monarch Ultra has worked diligently for several years now to bring awareness and inspire action for monarch butterflies across North America. As they continue to educate and advocate for these endangered species, they encourage the community to join the movement and consider planting a pollinator garden or few pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed (monarch butterflies need milkweed plants to lay their eggs) and avoid using pesticides in your garden and property.

“Recognizing that monarch butterflies are endangered should inspire action on several levels, and one way is for communities to protect and increase biodiversity along the migratory path which ultimately helps all wildlife species,” says Carlotta James, co-founder of the Monarch Ultra. “There are so many ways for folks to do something impactful and creative to save monarch butterflies. We can plant pollinator gardens. We can push governments to create better policies that protect biodiversity and wild spaces. And we can run for monarch conservation. I am doing all three actions so that we can continue to enjoy these migratory marvels flying through our summer skies.”

The out and back course will take runners along the Rotary Trail and Otonabee River. Following the race, families and community members are invited to participate in the Monarch Butterfly Festival starting at noon at Millennium Park. Participants can expect music, dancers, performances and presentations at the festival, while the event will also showcase sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.

The organizers are seeking out sponsors to support the community-led event. If interested, contact Carlotta James via email.

Register for the 10 kilometre race on October 15th, and come out to our Monarch Butterfly Festival to celebrate, to learn more about biodiversity initiatives, and to have fun, all in honour of the monarch butterfly.

To learn more about the Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race visit the website.

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Four Days of French Fry Goodness Returns to Morrow Park With Peterborough Poutine Feast

Over 25 poutines have returned to Morrow Park as Peterborough Poutine Feast kicks off a four-day event from Thursday to Sunday.

David Conway, Poutine Feast emcee (left) and Bailey McGlennon, Cornelia Corn Dogs operator (right) featuring a classic and award-winning bacon-double cheeseburger poutine as two of over 25 featured kinds at Peterborough Poutine Feast. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

The poutines came from four different vendors such as Fat Le’s Chip Stand, Groovy Gravy, Jr’s The Upper Deck Express and The Tragically Chip.

Other vendors such as Ms. Ellie’s Lemonade, Mrs. Mini Donuts, Cornelia Corn Dogs and more were other food and drink options available at the event.

Peterborough was one of the original locations of Poutine Feast’s tour before the tour expanded. The travelling food group is hitting 20 cities with Peterborough as the second leg of its tour.

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SPARK Photo Festival Announces 10 Year Anniversary Fundraiser Event

In celebration of photography and the mission to support emerging artists and long-time photographers alike, SPARK Photo Festival is hosting a Pub Night, Pop-Up Sale, Sneak Peek event on March 29 at The Publican House Brew Pub. 

photo courtesy of spark photo festival.

This April’s month-long festival boasts the voices and vision of more than 90 participating photographers as SPARK celebrates 10 years of the organization.

This event offers festival fans and photographers a chance to mix and mingle, shop prints with the SPARK-To-Go Pop-Up sale, sample appetizers and dive into a sneak peek of the over 25 2023 SPARK Photo Festival exhibits with art from over 100 photographers.

The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 294 Charlotte St.

Funds raised will be used for the SPARK mission to provide workshop supplies, exhibit materials, signage and festival maps to bring this free-to-visit arts festival to the community. 

Tickets: $50 per person, which includes appetizers (cash bar available). For more event information, or tickets, visit the website.

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‘Poutine Feast’ Coming to Downtown Peterborough Morrow Park This May

Canada’s largest touring poutine festival ‘Poutine Feast’ is making a stop at Morrow Park from May 4 to 7.

Photo courtesy of Poutine Feast, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Poutine Feast, Facebook.

The festival is an assortment of Ontario's finest Poutine Vendors with a lineup of 20 communities on their tour, taking place across the province from the end of April to the end of September.

Peterborough’s Morrow Park is slated in as the festival’s second stop.

“Get ready to indulge in your favourite cheesy, gravy-covered dish at our upcoming events. We'll be bringing the best poutine vendors from across the province together in one place for an unforgettable culinary experience,” the event’s Facebook page reads.

More information on dates, locations, and participating vendors is set to be released soon.

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Havelock Fire and Ice Festival Hosting Hockey Player Brigette Lacquette

The HBMProud Havelock Community Outdoor Rink is set to host the Fire and Ice festival; a free event featuring hockey player Brigette Lacquette on Feb. 11.

Photo courtesy of the Havelock Fire and Ice Festival.

From noon to 7 p.m., the Havelock Fire and Ice festival will have many family-friendly activities to enjoy, including ice carving, fire performers, a petting zoo, fireworks and more.

The festival will feature an appearance by hockey player Brigette Lacquette. Lacquette is the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada's National Women's Team.

Lacquette first joined the National Women's U18 Team in Aug. 2008, and went on to win silver and gold at the 2009 and 2010 IHF U18 Women's World Championships.

For more information on Havelock’s Fire and Ice festival, visit the rink’s Facebook page.

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Photos: The Fourth Annual Peterborough VegFest Flourishes Despite Heavy Rain

There were 38 vendors and waves of people that hit up the fourth annual Peterborough VegFest at Millennium Park on Sunday.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Despite the heavy rain, Peterborough braved the harsh weather to enjoy vegan-friendly and local food and product vendors. The event provided entertainment with seven local musicians such as Irish Millie and Steelburner & Suns. Free activities such as take-out poetry and a cooking course were offered at the vegan festival.

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Call for Proposals for 4th Line Theatre’s 2022 Digital Festival of Light & Dark

4th Line Theatre is seeking project proposals from local artists for original or existing artworks to be featured in the 2022 Digital Festival of Light & Dark.

Mosun Fadare in 4th Line Theatre's 2018 production of Beverley Cooper's The Other: A Strange Christmas Tale directed by Kim Blackwell. Photo by Wayne Eardley - Brookside Studio.

The Digital Festival of Light & Dark will foster virtual engagement between local artists and community members from Millbrook, Peterborough, Lakefield, Port Hope, Cobourg and surrounding areas.

“I am thrilled to bring back the Festival of Light & Dark for a second year. Last year the response to the works created was overwhelming. In 2021, we supported 12 artists and this year we are excited to see what types of projects will be submitted,” said Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Proposals may feature one or more of the following art forms: dance, film, theatre, music, visual art & photography. Priority will be given to artists who explore the concepts of light and/or the darkness, in whatever medium they choose to work.

4th Line Theatre will award micro-grants of $250 to each successful applicant. Proposals must include a 300-word description of the proposed project and the Artist(s)’s CV/Bio.

The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 24, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. All proposals must be emailed to 4th Line’s Artistic Administrator, Jess McDougall, at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca

Successful project applicants will be notified by November 29, 2021. Artists will then have two months to prepare a video or film which runs five minutes or less, that showcases their new or existing piece of video art.

The videos will be released on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel for viewing as of Monday, January 24, 2022. These videos will be available to the public to view at no cost.

For more information regarding the festival, please contact Jess McDougall by phone at 705-932-4448 or by email at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

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Peterborough Gets First-Ever Month-Long Mac and Cheese Festival

A childhood favourite meal is turning into a celebration as Peterborough is getting their first Mac and Cheese Festival announced on Tuesday.

Judges from the Pasta Shop, the Food Shop and the Toy Shop with participants in Tuesdays competition from the Peterborough Petes, Kawartha Food Share and Trent University. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Starting on Oct. 1, the self-guided festival will invite participants to dine in or order take-out from 18 local restaurants.

During the festival, restaurants will be competing for local votes to become the ‘Mac + Cheese Champion.’ Participants can vote online for their favourite mac and cheese dishes until Oct. 30.

The winning restaurant will receive bragging rights for the year, a cheesy hand-crafted trophy and a donation to Kawartha Food Share in the victor’s name.

“Yes, it’s a competition and of course some folks are in it for the glory- but for the most part, our 18 restaurant partners are just happy to help bring a little comfort back into the community,” said Hillary Flood Communications Manager, Peterborough DBIA. “I don’t think it gets any more comforting than mac and cheese.”

Leo Grourke, Trent University President, Sarah Khaki and Michael Khan, vice-president academic at Trent with their mac and cheese at the Silver Bean Cafe. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The official launch party at the Silver Bean Café had three local organizations participate in a cook-off to give a sample of what people can expect in October.

The Peterborough Petes, Trent University and Kawartha Food Share each brought a crock-pot of the famed comfort food and were judged by local shop owners.

Kawartha Food Share placed first with their student-inspired mac and cheese with ingredients one might find in a student’s pantry.

In addition to serving mac and cheese, each restaurant location will host a month-long food drive in support of Kawartha Food Share. Festival goers are encouraged to bring their non-perishables downtown this October when visiting any mac and cheese restaurant location.

“We are so excited to partner with the DBIA and partake in the 2021 Mac and Cheese Festival. It’s been a very tough year for our food banks. We’re so thrilled to see so many local restaurants collecting food donations to help us restock the shelves at our 37 member agencies before the busy holiday season,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share General Manager.

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11 Festivals and Events in Peterborough and Area Recieve Over $900,000 in Funding

11 festivals and events in Peterborough and the Kawarthas have received over $900,000 in provincial funding through the 2021 Reconnect Festival and Event Program.

MEGAN MURPHY (LEFT) AND KATE SUHR (RIGHT) of 4th line Theatre. 4th Line theatre is receiving $92,842. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRISTAN PEIRCE PHOTOGRAPHY AND 4TH LINE THEATRE.

The Reconnect Festival and Event Program offers non-capital funding for events in Ontario that provide safe experiences virtually or in-person when it is safe to do so.

$43 million was given to 439 festivals and events across Ontario.

11 festivals and cultural organizations hosting events in the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes area are receiving a total of $904,386 in funding.

Among the recipients are Peterborough Music Fest, the 2022 ReFrame Film Festival, 4th Line Theatre and Public Energy’s Pivot 2.0 Series.

For a full list of recipients click here.

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Photography Contest Takes Place of Postponed Festival

SPARK Photo Festival has teamed up with Sparkplug Coffee and PhotoED Magazine for a new Canada-wide photography competition announced on Friday.

The contest calls for the best, most captivating, unique Coffee-at-Home images for the “Focus on Coffee” competition.

“We're looking for images that catch our attention, tell us your story about your at-home coffee experiences and nourish us like the first coffee of the day, “ said Jennifer MacKenzie, Festival Director. “We want to stay home and stay inspired creatively — together in 2021.”

First place will earn a year of Sparkplug Coffee and a year’s subscription to PhotoED Magazine.

The winning image will be featured on the packaging of a special edition Sparkplug X SPARK Photo Festival 2021 Coffee and the image will be exhibited at the 2021 SPARK Photo Festival.

The event was created after the festival was postponed to September by the SPARK Photo Festival Board of Directors.

“In the current pandemic environment, the health and safety of our community’s citizens, our photographers and those working at our venues, are the most important considerations at this time,” said MacKenzie.

Submission is free and open to Canadian residents except for Quebec. Photographers of any level are welcome and encouraged to submit before March 21 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

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