Peterborough Folk Festival Releases Full 2025 Lineup

The Peterborough Folk Festival has released its full lineup for their 2025 edition, running from Aug. 14 to 17 throughout Downtown Peterborough and Nicholls Oval Park, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Folk Festival.

The event has over 30 artists and bands, including 12 local performers with all proceeds going back to the festival.

Featured acts include Joel Plaskett, Basia Bulat, Whitehorse, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boutilier, Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation, Bells Larsen and Colin Linden.

Full Line-Up:

Aug. 14 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

• Basia Bulat

• Jeanne Truax

Aug. 15

• Various venues downtown including the Pig's Ear Tavern

Aug. 16 at Nicholls Oval Park

• Joel Plaskett

• Goldie Boutilier

• Jeremie Albino

• Bells Larsen

• Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation

• My Son The Hurricane

• Grievous Angels

• Songs Of Scratch Garden

• Sister Ray

• Quinton Barnes

• Doghouse Orchestra

• The Silver Hearts

• Benj Rowland

• Jeanne Truax

• Lancelot Knight

• Swindlers

• Caitlin Currie

• Tapes In Motion

After Parties Downtown 11 p.m.

• Jethros - The Jet Airliners featuring Jeanne Truax

• Pig's Ear Tavern - The Silver Hearts

Aug. 17 at Nicholls Oval Park

• Whitehorse

• Lemon Bucket Orchestra

• Colin Linden of Blackie and The Rodeo Kings

• Inn Echo

• Beau Dixon

• Sharon Lois and Bram Singalong with Sharon and Randi

• Kay Silver

• Babe Chorus

• Fittonia

• Jethro Blues Jam All-Stars

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No Injuries Reported From Arrowsmith School Structure Fire

No injuries were sustained from Monday’s Arrowsmith School structure fire as reported by the Douro-Dummer Fire Services (DDFS).

Arrowsmith School is a private school for kids with learning disabilites from Grades 1 to 12. It was originally founded in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith Young in Toronto. Peterborough was its second location in May 2005 but closed on June 2021. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

DDFS received a call about the incident at 2:19 a.m. and observed that the fire had spread through the second storey of the structure, with flames visible above the roof.

Over 25 DDFS firefighters in the early hours extinguished the initial fire and fought the hotspots into the afternoon. DDFS have not determined the cause of the fire and the monetary loss to the property.

The building was not occupied at the time of the fire. A residence west of the structure was evacuated as a precaution and the occupants were able to return to their home the same day.

@ptbo_canada Arrowsmith School devestated by early-morning fire on July 14. Cause of fire currently unknown… #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #fire ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Parkhill Road East was closed to traffic from the Parkhill Swing Bridge to the intersection of Television Road and County Road 4/Parkhill Road East for the duration of the incident.

“DDFS crews responded quickly and worked hard to bring the fire under control, and as a result the fire did not spread to nearby structures,” said Deputy Fire Chief Huffman. “We are grateful for the time and effort that our firefighters dedicate to preparing for events like this.”

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City to Host Public Meeting Regarding Development Charges

The Council of the City of Peterborough is holding a public meeting to present and discuss proposed development charge rates and policies that would be applied throughout the City on Aug. 5, at 4:45 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the meeting, Council will consider approval of an updated Development Charges By-law on a date.

Development charges are imposed on new development to help fund growth-related capital costs of municipal services, as authorized by the Development Charges Act, 1997. The Development Charges Background Study supports the proposed charges and relates to eligible services, including: Development-Related Studies, Library Services, Fire Services, Police Services, Emergency Medical Services, Recreation, Parks, Transit, Waste Management, Long-Term Care, Services Related to a Highway and Sewage Services.

The public meeting is an opportunity for the public to review and provide comments on the Development Charges Background Study and the proposed Development Charges By-law, as required under The Development Charges Act, 1997.

All interested parties are invited to join the public meeting by attending in person or by viewing the streaming of the meeting on the City’s website.

The proposed development charges bylaw will not be considered for approval at this meeting according to the City. Council will review and consider the by-law at a future meeting after considering comments received as part of the public meeting and consultation process.

A copy of the 2025 Development Charges Background Study was made available on the City of Peterborough’s website on June 11. The proposed Development Charges By-law will be available on or before July 22, 2025.

Any person may attend the public meeting and make written or verbal representation in support of or in opposition to the proposed by-law. Written submissions should be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at clerks@peterborough.ca no later than 11 a.m. on Aug. 5.

Delegations wishing to speak at the meeting must register in advance. Unregistered delegations will not be permitted. To register, call 705-742-7777 ext. 1820 or complete the online form.

The deadline to register is 11 a.m. on Aug. 5. Council will consider all written comments submitted before the meeting and all verbal and written submissions made during the meeting before enacting a new development charges by-law.

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Overnight Structure Fire Devastates Arrowsmith School

A structure fire has caused significant damage to the Arrowsmith School building which started early Monday morning.

Arrowsmith School is a private school for kids with learning disabilites from Grades 1 to 12. It was originally founded in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith Young in Toronto. Peterborough was its second location in May 2005 but closed on June 2021. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at 266 Parkhill Rd., Peterborough OPP had closed Parkhill Road between Leahy’s Lane and Kingsdale Drive as firefighters dealt with the flames early Monday morning.

Douro-Dummer Fire Department removed police tape at the scene and left the school around 4 p.m. on Monday.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. We will continue to update the story as more details develop.

@ptbo_canada Arrowsmith School devestated by early-morning fire on July 14. Cause of fire currently unknown… #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #fire ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

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Peterborough Man Charged With Voyeurism Faces Child Porn Charges

A 20-year-old Peterborough man who faced a voyeurism charge at Lansdowne Place in late May is receiving additional charges including possession of child pornography, reported on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Officers with the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit of the Peterborough Police Service conducted a search warrant at a Peterborough residence Friday morning.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Child Pornography

• Fail to Comply with Undertaking

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on July 11. 

At this time, Police believe that there are no additional victims and no ongoing public safety concern.

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Morrow Park Field Receiving $1 Million Upgrade From Ontario Government

Morrow Park is getting an upgrade, receiving a $1 million investment from the Ontario Government.

File Photo.

This investment is part of the province's $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF). It is a province-wide initiative that helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“Our government is delivering on its promise to support local communities with a $1 million investment for the Morrow Park upgrade. This project is vital for our residents, improving accessibility, extending the life of this beloved facility, and providing a Premier/Level A diamond for everyone to enjoy,” he said. "I'm thrilled to see this important funding come to our city, promoting active living and strengthening our community.”

This project focuses on a significant upgrade to Morrow Park, aiming to elevate its status to Premier/Level A. This upgrade extends the facility's overall lifespan while also enhancing local programming opportunities and vastly improving accessibility features. According to a Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities study, these improvements are directly aligned with meeting identified community needs.

“We're incredibly grateful to the Province of Ontario for this $1 million investment through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Morrow Park is a cherished gathering place in our community, and these upgrades will ensure it remains a premier destination for sport, recreation and community events for years to come. Enhancing accessibility, extending the life of the facility, and supporting active living are all priorities for the City of Peterborough, and this funding helps us move forward on all fronts.”

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A3 and A16 Lions Clubs Raise Over $100,000 For Pediatric Cancer Care at PRHC

Lions Clubs from Districts A3 and A16 with 21 Clubs from across the two Districts, have collectively raised more than $100,000 in donations to the Foundation’s Campaign for Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Representatives from Lions Club Districts A3 and A16 as well as individual Clubs present PRHC Foundation President & CEO, Lesley Heighway (front right), with a donation of $100,000 in support of the Campaign for PRHC and the expansion of the pediatric cancer care clinic at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation.

According to a press release, the money supports the construction of an expanded, purpose-built pediatric cancer clinic space at the hospital, meeting the growing needs of young patients close to home. The Lions’ donation meets the PRHC Foundation’s fundraising goal.

“It’s so exciting to be together here today to recognize the wonderful achievement of your collective pledge in support of the pediatric cancer clinic space at PRHC,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO. “We’re incredibly grateful for your commitment to your community, your regional hospital and the care of childhood cancer patients, and all the efforts it took to make this generous donation possible.”

Districts A3 and A16 and the following Clubs made contributions to the Lions for Pediatric Cancer Care initiative: Bobcaygeon District, Brighton, Campbellford, Chemung Lake, Bridgenorth & Ennismore District, Coboconk & District, East Peterborough, Fowlers Corners & District, Haliburton & District, Havelock, Keene, Kendal, Kinmount & District, Lakefield & District, Lakefield Village, Lindsay East & District, Marmora Crowe Valley, Millbrook & District, Norwood, Oakwood & District, Peterborough, and Stirling & District.

“The Lions’ childhood cancer focus came about because of a lack of services and care for kids with cancer in other countries,” said Lion Christine Weerdenburg, District A16 Chair for childhood cancer. “Now, we are very fortunate to be able to help support cancer services and care here. We want to do whatever we can to make a child's care easier. When we ask the Clubs for their support, they do everything they can to make it happen. District A16 and A3 are an amazing bunch of Lions who serve.”

“Not only has it been an honour to have been a part of this campaign, but it's also been a wonderful opportunity and learning experience to work with the many Clubs in District A3 and the organizing Club in District A16.” said Lion Lydia Elliott, District A3 Chair “The overall response from all the members has been spectacular and we’re thrilled that we’ve met our goal before the expected deadline.” She continued, “All the participating Clubs in both Districts A3 and A16 should be proud of their efforts in making this initiative for the much-needed expansion to pediatric cancer care very successful.”

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring CDC Inc., Optimized Solutions, HERmanas Boutique and The Willow Studio

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

CDC Inc. has acquired local appraisal firm McLean, Simon & Associates in a move to strengthen real estate appraisal services in the region.

This strategic acquisition brings together two experienced teams with a shared commitment to accuracy, integrity, and exceptional service. The transition will be seamless as all operations, personnel, and client relationships at McLean, Simon & Associates will remain in place. There will be no changes to contact information, existing service agreements, or the high standards of professionalism clients have come to expect. Peter McLean and his team are here to help with your full-service appraisal needs.

Tracy Logan has launched a new business, Optimized Solutions, to help small home-service businesses like arborists, landscapers, and contractors with getting organized, improving efficiently and growing with confidence.

Tracy has 18 years of experience running a successful tree service and understands the day-to-day challenges business owners face. Whether you need guidance or hands-on support, Tracy offers practical systems and tools to streamline operations and set your business up for long-term success. Find out more at optimizedsolutions.ca.

HERmanas Boutique is celebrating five years in business.

It’s a special milestone for this small, woman-led business that has grown significantly thanks to the support of the community. Located on Highway 28 in Apsley, HERmanas offers curated essentials by women for women — empowering women through intentional collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared vision of elevated everyday style. You can also shop the boutique online at shophermanas.ca.

The Willow Studio is partnering with Five Counties Children’s Centre to offer Adaptive Yoga classes for children with special needs this summer.

Angela Demeester is a parent of a child with cerebral palsy and her studio provides accessible and inclusive yoga rooted in connection. Children of all abilities are invited to explore movement, build confidence, and experience the joy of connection. There will be a class for children six and under on July 16 and one for children seven and up on August 6. Find out more at willowpeterborough.com.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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PTBOSpotlight: The Chill Desire

Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.

This week, we are featuring The Chill Desire. The local business is owned by brothers Sarthak Juneja and Nitish.

Located on 366 George St. N., The Chill Desire started as an ice cream parlour but has since branched out, adding savoury food to their menu including burgers, wraps, fries, spring rolls and more.

“We serve everything from ice creams and waffles to specialty drinks, peri peri loaded fries, and our famous aalu patty burger, along with a variety of popular Indian snacks like momos (dumplings) and samosas, all made fresh in an open kitchen,” said Juneja. “Whether you're craving a sweet scoop or a savoury bite, we have something for everyone.”

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Prior to opening The Chill Desire, the brothers arrived in Peterborough as international students in 2019. The idea stemmed from Nitish visiting his home country of India, where his friends introduced him to waffles with ice cream during an outing. They eventually introduced authentic South Asian flavours that they could not find locally and often travelled to Toronto for the taste they loved.

As customer demand grew, they expanded to include chicken burgers, fries, wraps, momos, samosas and their unique aalu patty burger. Their involvement in local events and support from the community fueled further growth.

“The Chill Desire is more than just an ice cream shop — it’s a place to relax and enjoy good times with friends and family,” explained Juneja. “Our space is welcoming for students looking to study or do homework and it's lively enough for the bar crowd to indulge in sweet and savoury treats until 3 a.m., 365 days a year.”

The store is celebrating its second anniversary this month in Downtown Peterborough. Since then, the menu has broadened, extended their operating hours and is giving away a free scoop of ice cream with every order until July 15 to celebrate their milestone.

To continue the festivities, on July 16, the Chill Desire is giving away 100 free scoops of ice cream (no purchase necessary, one scoop per customer).

“We are proud of our community support and the variety we offer that keeps people coming back. Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy a moment of happiness with quality food and treats.”

To learn more about The Chill Desire, find it online:

Website: www.thechilldesire.ca
Instagram: @thechilldesire
Facebook: The Chill Desire

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City of Peterborough Announces Construction of Transit Garage and Maintenance Facility

Peterborough’s public transit capacity is growing as the City of Peterborough announced the construction of a new 10,500-square-metre transit garage and maintenance facility.

File Photo.

This follows a combined investment of almost $42.9 million from the federal and provincial governments. 

“Transit is key to connecting and creating complete communities,” said Emma Harrison, Peterborough-Kawartha MP. “That’s why investments like the Peterborough bus garage are vital to meeting our growing housing and infrastructure needs.”

“Access to reliable, affordable transit plays a vital role in connecting people in Peterborough to jobs, housing and essential services. Ontario’s investment in a new transit garage will help ensure safe, modern transit is available to support our growing community — today and in the years ahead,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

The garage and maintenance facility will house up to 110 buses, offer a range of transit maintenance services and have amenities and offices for transit employees.

“We’re incredibly grateful to both the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada for this significant investment in Peterborough’s transit future,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The funding for a new transit garage is not only timely, it’s essential. Our current facility is aging and no longer meets the needs of a growing city. A new, modern garage will support fleet expansion, improve maintenance capabilities, and prepare us for the future of transit, including the integration of electric and low-emission vehicles. This investment will help us deliver more reliable, efficient, and sustainable transit services for the people of Peterborough.”

According to the City, after construction, the facility will support Peterborough Transit into the future and help ensure the community has access to an efficient and affordable transit service that supports economic growth and connects residents to jobs and housing.

They continue to state that the investment helps build a stronger Canadian economy. Expanding public transit infrastructure to meet growing demand supports the development of more affordable, sustainable and inclusive communities.

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