Get a Taste of Greece at the Greek Festival This Sunday After a Three-Year Hiatus

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Souvlaki, baklava and gyro wraps are going to be at this year’s Greek Festival to raise money for the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for this Sunday running from noon to 7 p.m.

Natalie DeCarlo of Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria (left) and and Greek festival organizer Sophie Spiridis (right) give a sneak peek of baklava and souvlaki pitas that will be featured at this year’s Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church this Sunday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Souvlaki —both pork and chicken —, tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, rice, gyros and pita will be some of the foods featured and available for the event. Greek music will be played throughout the event and Greek dancers from the Toronto-area will provide free, live entertainment around 2 p.m. Several Greeks in the restaurant business in Peterborough are involved in running the festival according to Sophie Spiridis, festival organizer.

“It's showing the people from Peterborough our culture and what we have to offer,” she said. “I know people love Greece, love Greek people and Greek food so it's (the festival) a way of doing that.”

The proceeds for the church will aid in paying off their well water system that was recently upgraded. It will also cover any renovations for the church that it will want to undergo in the near future.

“Next year, we will be celebrating 30 years of the building of our church so there are upgrades like any other church or any household,” explained Spiridis.

The event has not run since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sixth Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Returns to Del Crary Park After Three-Year Hiatus

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The sixth annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival returns to Del Crary Park after being shelved for three years for a one-day event being held this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Craft Beer Festival.

The festival is an all-ages event for the first time. The event features 10 Ontario Craft Breweries, cideries, three local food vendors, games and live music throughout the day.

Tickets are available now online with the advanced ticket price of $15 plus tax and fees. That pricing ends Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with day-of tickets priced at $20 + tax and fees. Each ticket includes a wristband, branded beer mug and two drink tokens.

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Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival to Rock Out with The Johnnys June 25

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The third annual Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) presents well-known Ontario rock band, The Johnnys on June 25 in the Nozhem First Peoples’ Performance Space at Trent University.

a performance from last year’s NIFF event. Photo courtesy of the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, Facebook.

Founded by spouses Veronica Johnny (lead vocals/ manager/ producer/ writer) and Dave Johnny (drums/producer/writer) the band is known for delivering rowdy, high-energy, humour-filled performances. They’ve played across Canada, been featured on TV and film and shared stages with such luminaries as Geordie Johnson, Bif Naked, Stevie Salas, Bruce Cockburn, Keith Secola & Crystal Shawanda. Veronica’s Cree heritage is reflected in the band’s lyric content, with indigenous influences on topics such as the environment, social justice and political change.

Wrapping up the 2023 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is this one night only, all ages welcome, rock show featuring the band. For a sample of their music, visit the link.

“Rock bands are not a traditional Fringe act, but NIFF is not a traditional Fringe, so when Veronica Johnny approached us about applying for a one-night-only slot, we said sure. What a great way to close the festival,” said NIFF general manager Lee Bolton.

As for all other NIFF shows, tickets for The Johnnys are only $12 with all sales going directly to the artist. They are available online now or by cash only at the door depending on availability.

The performance will take place in the Nozhem First Peoples’ Performance Space at Trent University (East Bank) at 9 p.m. on the 25th. Free parking is available in Lot X.

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The Incredible Edibles Festival is Coming to Downtown Campbellford

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Let food and fun collide at the 8th annual IncrEdible Edibles Festival on July 8 in Downtown Campbellford.

photo courtesy of the incredible eats festival.

The IncrEdible Edibles Festival returns to Downtown Campbellford on Saturday the 8th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Foodies from all over Ontario will gather to celebrate the tastes of Trent Hills and our neighboring vendors, from within 100 kilometres of Campbellford.

This event is free and family-friendly, with over 35 local food vendors, a beer tent, artisan market, children’s area, community zone, speakers, food demos and live music. Celebrating Trent Hills’ strong agricultural heritage and the abundance of our thriving community, the festival aims to entertain, educate and excite!

With everything from fresh produce to street eats, artisan sweets to small batch hot sauces, comfort foods to vegetarian fare, there is something to serve every palate. Vendors will serve up food to enjoy at the festival and bring items to take home. The school nutrition program will be putting their skills Into action at a booth and even our community gardens will be offering some local delicacies.

Cool off with a beverage from your favourite local brewery! In this year’s beer tent, we will be serving all the local brews: Church-Key, Fogorig, Longtooth, Focal and Rice Lake Cider.

Entertainment will kick off with a visit from Firelights Belly Dancing Troupe at 11 a.m. Thew main stage will host opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. then an afternoon of speakers and food demos. Starting at 4 p.m., a great line up of live local music will bring us into the evening: Dave Mowat and the Curbside Shuffle, The Lindsay Barr Band and The Melissa Payne Band.

The Children’s Area will feature The Grain Discovery Zone from Grain Farmers of Ontario, Maple the Milking Cow from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Storytimes with the Library, crafts and straw bale building among other activities. The Flourishing Communities Zone is an interactive space where visitors can meet and talk with people working on local food and sustainability initiates.

To learn more about Incredible Trent Hills and the Incredible Edibles Festival, visit the website.

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Peterborough Takes Action for Monarch Conservation Through 10 Kilometre Monarch Run

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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

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

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.

@ptbo_canada Peterborough Poutine Feast is back at Morrow Park from May 4-7! Try out some of their awesome award-winning poutines this weekend! #ptbo #fyp #peterborough #poutine #food #foodtiktok #foodie #fries #frenchfries #cheese #gravy #ptbocanada #delicious #deliciousfood ♬ Levitating (feat. DaBaby) - Dua Lipa

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Felicia Massey


Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy To Open Peterborough Musicfest This Canada Day

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Peterborough Musicfest lifts the curtain on its 36th season on Saturday, July 1, helping thousands celebrate Canada Day by presenting fiddle music duo Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.

photo courtesy of peterborough musicfest.

MacMaster, a native of Nova Scotia, and Leahy, lead fiddler for the famed musical family from Lakefield, married in 2002 and remain Canada’s reigning couple of Celtic music. Often performing with their musical children, they have been awarded numerous honours including Juno and East Coast Music awards.

MacMaster and Leahy have recorded three albums together.

In 2015, their debut album ‘One,’ produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin, was released. The following year saw the release of ‘A Celtic Family Christmas.’ There things sat until earlier this year and the release of ‘Canvas,’ which introduced rock, pop, Latin and classical influences to their trademark Celtic sound, featuring guest support from Rhiannon Giddens, Yo-Yo Ma and Brian Finnegan.

“The fiddle was definitely common ground for us when we first got together,” reflects MacMaster, a member of the Order of Canada since 2006. “I was so in awe of Donnell’s family, of 11 siblings who could play and had a family band. And here I am now doing almost exactly the same thing. Well, kind of. This whole thing - first playing music by myself, then playing music with Donnell, then touring with Donnell and the children and all of us playing music together - has evolved in a very natural way. We feel incredibly lucky to be together as a family and to be letting our children develop their musical talent.”

“The only downside is that we can’t do all we’re asked to do and might like to do in other circumstances because we are parents first,” adds Leahy.

With Canadian jazz music great Moe Koffman headlining, Peterborough Musicfest debuted July 1, 1987 under the name Peterborough Festival of Lights with concert series founder Fred Anderson at the helm. Over the years since, artists representing practically every genre of music have headlined, bringing thousands to Peterborough’s Del Crary Park.

Peterborough Musicfest is funded by corporate sponsorships – most of those being locally owned businesses – multiple levels of government support, fundraising initiatives and private donations. As a result, Musicfest has been, and steadfastly remains, a uniquely free admission event. Dallas Green, Our Lady Peace, Serena Ryder, Gordon Lightfoot, 54-40 and Blue Rodeo are just a few of the sensational music acts that have appeared over the years.

Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall, staff and a board of directors, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.” In order to fulfill this mandate and keep attracting legendary musicians to our stage, Peterborough Musicfest encourages any individual or business interested in sponsoring the festival to reach out online or via phone at 705-755- 1111.

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ReFrame Film Festival Hires New Creative Director Eryn Lidster

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ReFrame Film Festival has announced Monday that Eryn Lidster will be taking on the role of Creative Director, responsible for implementing the creative and artistic vision of the festival.

photo courtesy of reframe film festival.

Lidster has a strong background in programming and project management, with an emphasis on film, media art and theatre. Recently, Lidster was the project manager of the 2022 Erring at King George Festival with Public Energy, and has supported the production of over 40 performance works in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough since 2016.

Lidster holds an Honours BA in Cultural Studies with a specialization in Image, Sound and Performance from Trent University. They have also served as a guest lecturer in Documentary Film, and a media technician at Trent’s Cultural Studies and Media Studies Departments.

“I am eager to bring my love and deep curiosity for film and media art to the organization, and to come together with the community around a shared passion for the vital work of environmental and social justice,” Lidster says.

In 2018 and 2019 they were awarded the Gregory R. Firth Memorial Prize for their film work, which has been screened internationally. Lidster is a founding member of Canadian Images in Conversation screening collective, currently serves as Chair of the Board at Artspace artist-run centre, and is a passionate supporter of local arts organizations, artists and arts workers.

“We are very pleased that Eryn is joining our team,” says ReFrame Board Chair Jim Hendry. “Their commitment to film, the power of art to make change, and their deep connections with Peterborough’s artistic community will ensure that ReFrame’s vision continues to be reflected in the festival’s film offerings and our community work.”

Lidster was hired following an extensive search process for a successor to outgoing Creative Director Amy Siegel, and joins Festival Director Kait Dueck in the co-leadership of ReFrame. Siegel served as Creative Director from 2018, skillfully seeing the festival through pandemic uncertainty, and five of ReFrame’s most diverse, inclusive, and celebrated programs to date.

“I am deeply grateful to the dedicated ReFrame staff, board and volunteers, past and present. I will endeavour to uphold the high standards you have set. I look forward to everything we will accomplish together,” Lidster says.

They will take on the role as of Tuesday, April 18.

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Encouraging and Supporting Young Artists at the Heart of The Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award

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The Peterborough Folk Festival is getting ready for their 2023 festival and the Emerging Artists program submissions are now open to the community.

photo courtesy of the peterborough folk festival.

This years’ Peterborough Folk Festival kicks off at Market Hall on Aug. 18 followed by two full days of live music, children's activities, food and artisan vendors on Aug. 19 and 20 on the hillside at Nicholls Oval Park (next to the Otonabee River.)

Now in its 34th year, Peterborough Folk Festival is among Canada’s longest-running, free-admission music festivals.

Each year the Peterborough Folk Festival welcomes more than 12,000 people to Peterborough and the surrounding region, making it the second-largest cultural event of the summer season.

Striving for gender parity, diversity and inclusivity in the performance line-up, there were 28 artists including 11 local performers in the 2022 festival lineup.

Submissions for 2023 Emerging Artist will be accepted until the end of May, and the winner of the award will be announced later in June. Interested candidates can find more information online here.

Successful candidates receive showcase performance spots at Peterborough Folk Festival to be held this Aug. 18-20, as well as an opportunity to attend the Folk Music Ontario Conference in October where they have the chance to perform and interact with artistic directors, agents, funders and other musicians.

Nathan Truax was awarded the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award for 2022.

“When they told me I was being honoured as Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist for 2022, I was blown away,” says Truax. “When you’re coming into your own as an artist it’s so important to know your community is behind you. Being the recipient of this award solidified everything I’ve been working towards for the past several years. It was like getting a comforting, warm hug from all of Peterborough.”

The 27-year-old artist joins a long list of celebrated Peterborough-area musicians who have received the Emerging Artist Award from PFF, starting with Millbrook’s Serena Ryder in 2001.

Recognizing young and emerging local talent, the annual award’s recipient is selected by a committee who assess applicants on skill, dedication and artistic merit. Applicants for the Emerging Artist Award may be solo artists, groups or bands and must live in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, including Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations. They must be under the age of 30.

“Receiving this kind of support is definitely a boost for an artist,” says Truax, who released his eight-song solo country music album Pickin’ the Label in March 2022.

Truax maintains performing at Cameron’s Pavilion Stage during Peterborough Folk Festival 2022 alongside local artists Benj Rowland and Kayla Mohamed, continues to be a career highlight. “Playing music with good friends, out in the open, surrounded by a community that supports you and you know is rooting for you – well, there’s nothing better,” he says.

For more information on how to get involved as an artist, sponsor, volunteer or vendor, at the Peterborough Folk Festival, visit the website.

To help ensure PFF remains a free festival for the City, County and region surrounding Peterborough, email sponsor@peterboroughfolkfest.com and find out how to make a contribution to the event.

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

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

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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