Holy Cross Repeats as Barbarian Cup Provincial Champions

By Scott Arnold

The Holy Cross junior boys rugby team has etched its name into the history books after successfully defending its provincial title at the 2026 Barbarian Cup.

holy cross junior boys are back-to-back provincial rugby champions (photo via instagram @holycrossboysrugby)

The Crusaders captured their second consecutive provincial championship Monday, earning two victories on the final day of competition in Fergus, including a commanding 40-5 win over Brooklin High School in the championship match.

The victory makes Holy Cross just the second Peterborough-area school to repeat as Barbarian Cup champions. The only other local team to accomplish the feat was Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, which won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

Holy cross junior boys after their 2025 barbarian cup win (photo via instagram @holycrossboysrugby)

The Barbarian Cup is recognized as Ontario's longest-running high school rugby tournament. First introduced in 1961, the event serves as the unofficial provincial championship for junior boys rugby and attracts many of the top Grade 9 and 10 teams from across the province.

This year's tournament was held in Fergus on June 7 and 8 and featured schools from throughout Ontario competing for the provincial crown.

For Holy Cross, the championship marks another major achievement for the program and places the team among a select group in local rugby history to successfully defend a provincial title.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Community Gathering Planned Over Proposed Carnegie Fire Hall Shelter

By Scott Arnold

A community group is inviting residents to gather later this month to voice concerns about the planned use of Carnegie Fire Hall as a homeless shelter and to call for what they believe would be a more suitable long-term location.

a community gathering is happening on june 20 at the carnegie fire hall in peterborough’s north end (photo by scott arnold)

The event, organized by the Keep North End Safe group, is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 at 9:30 am at Carnegie Fire Hall, located at 161 Carnegie Avenue across from the Peterborough Zoo.

According to the flyer distributed in the neighbourhood, organizers say City Council has approved Carnegie Fire Hall as a homeless shelter and are encouraging residents to attend the family-friendly gathering to share concerns, ask questions, and advocate for a different long-term solution.

The group says it supports long-term strategies and assets that will serve unhoused individuals while also protecting vulnerable populations in the surrounding area.

council has proposed a shelter for the old fire hall on carnegie in the city’s north end

The flyer also cites concerns about consultation, transparency around spending, transportation, operational and security costs, and the suitability of the location due to its proximity to seniors, students, families, the zoo, and nearby residents.

Organizers are encouraging people to bring friends and neighbours, saying a larger turnout could help attract media attention. Freezies and bubbles will be available for children attending the event.

More information and event updates can be found through the Keep North End Safe Facebook group.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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City Council Endorses Plan to Name Knights of Columbus Park Bowl in Honour of Lacrosse Legend Bobby Allan

By Scott Arnold

One of Peterborough’s most accomplished lacrosse figures could soon have his name permanently attached to a landmark community facility.

city council moving forward with plans to honour legend bobby allan (screenshot via cogeco yourtv documentary, peterborough lacrosse 150)

Peterborough City Council has endorsed a Notice of Motion to rename the new bowl at Knights of Columbus Park as the Bobby Allan Bowl.

The motion comes as the park undergoes major upgrades, including improvements to the bowl’s floor and boards.

renovations are underway at the knights of columbus park on park street, near townsend (photo by scott arnold)

Supporters of the renaming note that Allan grew up just a few blocks from Knights of Columbus Park and spent much of his youth playing lacrosse there before going on to become one of the sport’s most celebrated players and coaches.

Allan’s accomplishments include induction into the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, where he became the first lacrosse player to receive the honour.

As a player, Allan won four Mann Cup championships with Peterborough teams in 1954, 1956, 1962 and 1966.

His success continued behind the bench, coaching box lacrosse in both Peterborough and Philadelphia before leading Canada’s national field lacrosse team to a world championship in Manchester in 1970. He later guided the Peterborough Lakers to a Mann Cup title in 1973.

once renovations are complete, the new bowl at knight of columbus park could be named the bobby allan bowl in honour of the local lacrosse star (photo by scott arnold)

If approved through the formal process, the facility will be renamed the Bobby Allan Bowl, recognizing a lacrosse career that left a lasting mark on Peterborough and the sport across Canada.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Margot Van Sluytman, LAWS Doggie Dash and Showplace Performance Centre

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…

A story of love, creativity, and adventure is coming with the launch of local author Margot Van Sluytman's newest book, The New Adventure of Ms. Maggie.

The book launch will take place on Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Needle Happy Tattoos and will feature a book signing and community gathering with the author. This event is also dedicated to helping support newcomers settling in Canada, and proceeds from book sales will benefit the New Canadians Centre. Those interested in purchasing a copy can contact Margot at margot.vansluytman@yahoo.com

Animal lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to take part in the 2026 LAWS Doggie Dash on Sunday at Isabel Morris Park in Selwyn.

This community fundraising walk supports the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society's efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need. Participants can choose between 1.5 km and 2.5 km routes and are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 to support the cause. Registration opens at noon, with the walk beginning at 1:00 p.m. The event will also feature live music, games, food vendors, and local exhibitors, making it a fun day out for the whole family and their pets. For more information, please visit lakefieldanimalwelfare.org

Country music fans won't want to miss an evening with Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Hess, who will bring Songs That Wrote Country Music to Showplace Performance Centre on June 17.

Throughout his career, Hess has shared the stage with legendary artists including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson. Tickets and additional event information are available at showplace.org

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 brenda@pkchamber.ca.

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Road Closures Planned for Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival's 25th Anniversary

By Scott Arnold

Drivers should expect road closures around Del Crary Park on Saturday as Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival returns for its 25th anniversary celebration.

Peterborough Dragon boat festival is celebrating 25 years this weekend (photo by Scott Arnold)

Festival organizers have received approval from the City of Peterborough to close several roads near Del Crary Park on Saturday, June 13, to help ensure the safety of participants, volunteers, and spectators attending the annual event.

The road closures will be in effect from 7 am to 6 pm.

Areas impacted include:

• George Street entrance to the Del Crary Park Marina

• Perry Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street

• Lake Street from the east side of George Street to the west side of Crescent Street

• Lock Street from the north side of Romaine Street to the south side of Crescent Street

• Romaine Street from the east side of Lock Street to the west side of Crescent Street

• Crescent Street from the south side of Perry Street to the east limit

• Winch Street from the south side of Crescent Street to the north side of Ware Street

• Haggart Street from the south side of Crescent Street to the north side of Ware Street

Emergency no-parking signs will also be posted on both sides of Lock Street between Romaine Street and Ware Street.

Organizers note that regular calendar parking rules will remain in effect on streets outside the road closure area. City parking enforcement staff will be monitoring the neighbourhood throughout the day to maintain traffic flow and ensure compliance with parking restrictions.

To help visitors get to and from the festival, a complimentary shuttle bus provided by Hamilton Bus Lines will operate between 7 am and 5 pm. Festival organizers encourage visitors to check the event pages on the festival website for shuttle details and parking information.

Cyclists will also have access to free supervised bicycle parking provided by B!ke Peterborough.

The community is invited to attend the festival at Del Crary Park and help celebrate the event's 25th anniversary while supporting a fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation.

del crary park will be busy this weekend for the 25th annual peterborough dragon boat festival (photo by scott arnold)

The day begins with road closures taking effect at 7 am, followed by the Awakening the Dragon and Opening Ceremonies at 8 am. Racing starts shortly afterward, with the first heats getting underway at 8:30 am.

The Vendors Village Market, featuring food vendors and artisan businesses through the Modern Makers Market, opens at 9 am. The Family Fun Zone will also open at 9 am, offering activities for visitors of all ages.

One of the day's signature events takes place at 10:50 am with the McKenzie Cup Race, followed by the Survivor Flower Ceremony. At 11 am, the traditional flower ceremony will bring the community together to honour those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, those currently undergoing treatment, and those in recovery.

the public is invited to take in the festivities on saturday for the peterborough dragon boat festival (photo by scott arnold)

The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden opens at 11 am.

Afternoon racing begins with the second race heats at 12:30 pm. The silent auction closes at 3 pm before divisional finals begin at 3:10 pm.

The final race of the day, the Community Division Championship presented by Kawartha Credit Union, is scheduled for 3:50 pm.

Raffle winners will be announced near the bleachers at 4 pm, followed by the awards ceremony at 4:15 pm.

The final shuttle bus will leave Del Crary Park at 4:30 pm. Vendors Village closes at 5 pm, while the Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden remains open until 6 pm.

paddlers will take to the water on little lake for the 25th anniversary of the peterborough dragon boat festival
(photo by scott arnold)

Festival organizers thanked nearby residents for their continued support and cooperation and acknowledged the community's role in helping make the annual fundraiser for the PRHC Foundation a success year after year.

More information about the festival is available at ptbodragonboat.ca. Organizers note that event times are subject to change.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Century 21 United Realty Expands With Grand Opening of a New Office In Apsley

Century 21 United Realty can service those in Apsley, as it hosted the grand opening of a new office on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Century 21 United Realty.

Located at 125A Burleigh St., the Apsley branch reflects growing momentum in the local real estate market and a commitment to serving buyers and sellers in the Highlands East area, according to Vanessa Oae Hogan, Century 21 owner.

“We’re excited to be back in Apsley and to continue serving the North Kawartha community. This is a remarkable region, known for its natural beauty, strong sense of community, and exceptional quality of life,” she said. “Many of our realtors have deep roots in the area and bring extensive local knowledge and connections that help clients make informed real estate decisions. Re-establishing our presence in Apsley reflects our commitment to North Kawartha and our belief in the long-term strength of this region.”

The public was invited to the grand opening to enjoy refreshments, meet the realtors and learn about their services.

“As a locally owned brokerage, we’re proud to continue expanding our presence in the communities we serve and look forward to helping residents, property owners, and newcomers navigate the local real estate market with confidence,” said Oake Hogan.

Office hours are 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

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Six Names Have Been Inducted Into Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame For 2026

Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame has inducted six names into its class of 2026 in a ceremony at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday night.

(Back Row From Left to Right): John Grant, Jr., Jeff Twohey and Al Crowe
(Middle Row From Left to Right L-R: Terry Paul and Tim Watts
(Front Row) Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

The following are the class of 2026 inductees:

Al Crowe (Builder: Fastball)

Al Crowe was a good multisport athlete. He was a member of the 1969 Lakefield High School District School Boy Curling Championship team and served as vice skip for the team at the COSSA Curling Championship and the OFSSA Championship in 1969.

Fastball was his game, starting in the Lakefield Men’s League before joining the Peterborough Men’s City Softball League. Crowe achieved great success when he began coaching in the PMCSL, winning the George Dormer Trophy nine times for first-place league finishes and the Taylor Trophy nine times. He coached teams to OASA Intermediate A titles in 1993 and 2003 and also coached the Curve Lake team to the Ontario Native All Ontario Championship in 1996 and 2003.

Not only did Crowe give his time to the men’s city league, but he also coached minor boys’ fastball teams from 1989 to 1995, winning an OASA Pee-Wee A title in 1993. Crowe has been honoured with numerous awards for his dedication to fastball in Peterborough. Including the Doug McCamus Award for Minor Fastball, the Dave Leether Award from the Umpires Association for Most Gentlemanly Player, City League “Mr. Softball” for dedication to fastball and the Brent McCue Heart Award for dedication to fastball.

Crowe served 31 years with the OPP, receiving the OPP Exemplary Service Medal in 1992 and a 30-year service award in 2002. Al Crowe gave his time and talent to the sport of fastball and now joins his father Bob Crowe as an honoured member of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

John Grant Jr. (Athlete: Lacrosse)

John Grant Jr. had a spectacular career in lacrosse. Born and raised in Peterborough, Grant Jr. has accomplished every honour possible in the game. He excelled at both box and field lacrosse as a junior, college, senior and professional player.

He has won five Mann Cups, achieved three silver and one gold at World Lacrosse Championships, three gold World Indoor Lacrosse championships, one gold and one silver Heritage Cup, one NLL and five MLL championships. The list of individual awards is impressive: 1994 OLA Junior A MVP, 1995 MSL Rookie of the Year, 1999 USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year, 1999 National Collegiate Attackman of the Year, 2007 NLL Rookie of the Year, 2000 MSL MVP, 2001 MLL Offensive Player of the Year, 2004, 2007 Mann Cup MVP, 2007 and 2012 NLL MVP, 2007 NLL Championship MVP, 2007 and 2008 MLL Offensive Player of the Year as well as MVP.

Grant Jr. has gone on to coach both professional and college field lacrosse in the USA. Grant Jr. racked up over 3,000 points over his 25+ years of playing lacrosse at the very highest level.

His slick and shifty ball-handling skills would rank him among the very best, if not the best, in the world. John has gone on to coach both professional and college field lacrosse in the USA. He joins his father, John Grant, as an honoured member of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame.

Terrance “Terry” Paul (Athlete: Rowing)

Growing up in Peterborough, Paul played many sports and was a member of the junior program at the Kawartha Golf & Country Club. While at PCVS, he was influenced by Carol Love and Graham Wilkinson to join the Peterborough Rowing Club. He joined the club as a coxswain and became hooked on the sport. He attended Brock University, where he honed his rowing skills with the Brock Badgers.

Following graduation, Paul moved to Victoria, B.C., and joined the Canadian National Rowing Team. Terry won a Men’s Eights gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, as the team’s Coxswain. He has participated in every Olympic Games since 1988 and coached until 2022.

Terry has had an extensive coaching career in the US College system at Cornell and then internationally with Canada and Switzerland. He coached the men’s pairs to a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Terry is currently employed by the BC government as Performance Director for Rowing BC.

Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett (Athlete: All-Round)

Peterborough-born Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett, a multi-sport athlete, achieved success in every sport she played in.

She was a member of the Canadian team that competed in the Long Ball Golf competition in Las Vegas in 2002, where she finished 10th, and was the Ontario Long Drive champion in 2001 and 2002. She was the low net champion at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club in 2002. Kelleigh has played hockey since the age of five, starting in the PGHA. Over her long career, she has won numerous tournaments and OWHA provincial titles, including a Midget B gold, two golds and one silver in Senior AA and one gold in Senior AA Eastern Canadian championships.

In 2000, the Senior AA team also won its third consecutive National Capital tournament in Ottawa. From 2007 to 2014, Kelleigh won two gold, one silver and one bronze OWHA Senior C Championships with the Keene women’s team. She was a member of the Peterborough Skyway Senior AA Women’s Hockey team from 1993-1996, which played in the Central Women’s Hockey League and won the league championship in their second year. She was a member and team captain of the silver-medal-winning Ontario Select team, which travelled to Switzerland to play in an international tournament in 1986.

Traynor-Hartnett    was instrumental in forming a women’s division in the Police International Hockey Association tournament while a police officer with the Durham Police. During her tenure with the team, the Durham Bullets Women’s team won six championships.

She also played fastball in the city league and with the Cobourg Angels (winning a PWSA Achievement Award). She played slo-pitch, winning the Eastern Ontario Champion, placing second at the 2000 National Championship in Kamloops, B.C. She won a Field Hockey bronze medal at the Ontario Summer Games in 1985, an OCAA Soccer Bronze with Fleming College in 1988 and was the 1986 senior high jump high school champion and placed 2nd at COSSA and 3rd at OFSSA.

She was a member of the 55+ 2023 Ontario Champions and 2024 Canadian 55+ silver medalist team. From 2013, Traynor-Hartnett    has also been an assistant coach, head coach and trainer in the Peterborough Ice Kats system. She retired from the Durham Police Department in 2019, receiving the ‘Excellence in Service’ Award for 30 years of service.

Tim Watts (Athlete: Archery)

Watts comes from the Warsaw community. He fell in love with the sport of archery at a young age. He started competing at age 15 in 1987 and since then, he has competed in over 700 tournaments all over the world.

In Ontario, archery has five disciplines, each with an annual provincial championship. During his archery career, he has hit the podium 80+ times, including 34 provincial championships. He has won provincial championships in all 5 disciplines. The archer who competes in all five disciplines with the highest combined total is crowned Grand Champion. The award was established in 1999 and Tim has been the Grand Champion 18 times.

At the national level, there are four disciplines every year. Watts has achieved podium results 25 times, winning 12 National titles. One of the few archers in Canada to have won the National title in all four disciplines.

After winning the National 3D title as part of team Ontario, Tim qualified for the 2011 Canadian 3D team competing at the World 3D Championships in Austria. He won a silver medal and to date, he is the only Canadian Compound Archer to win a World Championship medal. He has been the Tournament Director for Archery Ontario since 1990.

He worked for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and has been the Peterborough Coordinator for the National Archery School program since 2014. This program introduces archery to thousands of Ontario youth.

Watts is a highly accomplished Canadian archer, a columnist for Ontario Out of Doors. Based in Peterborough and affiliated with the Peterborough Fish and Game Club, he is a decorated competitor in compound, 3D and field archery, holding national records and winning multiple gold medals in the 50-plus category.

He won three gold medals at the 2022 Canadian National Archery Championships (Men’s Hunter, 50-plus Field, 50-plus Target) and has over 35 years of competitive experience. He set a Canadian record in 2023 for 50+ men's compound unlimited in a field round with a score of 392.

Jeff Twohey (Builder: Hockey)

Born in Lindsay, Twohey has made his home in Peterborough for over 40 years. It is not a stretch to say that hockey is his life. Starting out in 1980 as a trainer for the

Peterborough Petes: Twohey rose through the ranks of the Petes organization in many capacities, from marketing to Assistant GM and, finally, General Manager. Over his tenure with the Petes he saw the team win OHL Championships in 1989 and 1993 as an Assistant GM and 1996 and 2006 as General Manager and trips to the Memorial Cup on four occasions. The Petes recorded 600 wins during Jeff’s time as GM. The position of the GM also requires scouting and recruiting and working with team scouts to select young players that will be the right fit for a particular OHL team. Fifty-four of his players were drafted to the NHL, with nine drafted in the first round.

Twohey served on a number of OHL Committees including Priority Selection, Competitions, Officiating, CHL Import Draft, Protected List, NCAA Issues, All-Star Selection, CHL Canada-Russia Selection and OHA Rep evaluating Canada’s World U18 and U20 prospects.

He is the recipient of the Bill Long Award in 2006 for distinguished service, the OHL Milestone Award in 2008 for 25 years of distinguished service to the OHL and he was inducted into the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

After leaving the Petes, Twohey spent a couple of years with the Oshawa Generals before serving as an Amateur Scout for the Dallas Stars and the NHL's Arizona Coyotes from 2014 to 2018. The role of a hockey scout is arduous, requiring many hours away from home and miles of travel across North America and Europe. During his time with the Coyotes. Twohey scouted over 250 live games. Jeff is now scouting for the Florida Panther. His love for hockey has translated into a long and successful career.

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Peterborough Man Criminally Charged With Breaking Downtown Restaurant Storefront Window

A 29-year-old Peterborough man is facing a criminal charge of mischief after breaking a local restaurant storefront window in Downtown Peterborough early Sunday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 2:35 a.m., Peterborough Police received calls about a restaurant window that had been smashed in the downtown. With assistance from video evidence, including police CCTV footage, a suspect was identified.

Peterborough Police’s investigation determined that the suspect had been removed from a nearby establishment prior to breaking the window. While walking past the restaurant, the suspect smashed the restaurant window with his fist and continued walking.

At approximately 5 pm on Sunday, the suspect turned himself in to the Police.

He was arrested and charged with:

• Mischief under $5,000

The suspect was released on an Undertaking and Promise to Appear in Court, in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Code and will appear in Court to answer to this charge.  

Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Chief released a statement regarding the incident:

“The incident has received significant attention in local and social media, and it is very unfortunate and disappointing that this happened, as the impact on the restaurant owner is very real.

As Chief of Police, I would like to address the comments about the police response and acknowledge there can be frustration when Officers aren’t immediately available to respond to a call; therefore, I would like to take the unusual step of sharing with the community what our Officers were engaged with at the time the call came in for the broken window.

At the time of the call there were an additional 12 calls being responded to or waiting for a police response. These include:

• A mental health call in which an individual was on a bridge threatening to harm themselves and was apprehended and taken to PRHC for their safety.

• An intimate partner violence call resulting in an arrest and the male was transported to the police station

• A disturb the peace call, in which an intoxicated male was creating problems downtown. He was arrested and transported to the police station

In addition to the above calls, there were an additional nine calls in the queue. Considering the calls in progress and those others outstanding, our Communicators notified the restaurant owner that Officers would be unavailable to attend until the dayshift as the response at that point was an investigative one.

I recognize that incidents like these are frustrating and can garner a lot of heated discourse, often made in the heat of the moment without a full awareness of what is taking place throughout the entirety of the City, and while it may not feel like it, the men and women of your police service continue to perform an outstanding job.

Please consider the numbers below and where things would be without the investment Council has made in Public Safety. I am grateful for their support and incredibly proud of the work of our entire team. Our Members are your neighbours, they shop where you shop, their kids go to school and play sports with your kids, and they are equally frustrated and invested in this City and work hard to be responsive and keep it safe for you and for their families.”

The following are Betts’s aforementioned numbers:

2026 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,978

• Charges: 3,185

2025 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,784

• Charges: 2,451

2024 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests:1,461

• Charges: 2,451

2023 (Jan. 1 - June 8)

• Arrests: 1,252

• Charges: 2,025

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Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area Four Dates For This Year's Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is bringing back the Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales, held on four dates on George Street, to showcase shopping, entertainment, patios and community activities in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The dates are June 13, July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12. George Street is closed to vehicle traffic between Hunter and Simcoe Streets, creating expanded pedestrian space for shopping, dining, live entertainment and outdoor activations during the event.

Visitors can explore sidewalk sales, artisan vendors, special promotions, patios, and family-friendly activities throughout the downtown core.

“Second Saturdays have become one of the signature features of a lively summer downtown,” says Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “These events create an incredible atmosphere on our streets while directly supporting our local businesses. They encourage people to explore the core and see firsthand why downtown Peterborough remains the heart of our community.”

According to the DBIA, the event series is designed to support economic activity in the downtown while encouraging residents and visitors to explore local businesses and amenities. Businesses throughout the core will expand their presence outdoors through sidewalk displays, promotions, interactive experiences and special-event offerings.

“Downtown Second Saturday is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with our downtown core, support local businesses, and bring the community together,” says Shelby Leonard-Watt, S.O.S. Save Our Soles owner. “By creating a recurring event throughout the summer, Second Saturday gives residents and visitors a reason to return downtown and discover something new each month.”

Businesses interested in participating through a sidewalk activation or pop-up experience are encouraged to contact the DBIA for more information.

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Public Asked to Select Film For 2026 Canada Day Movie Night

The City of Peterborough asks the community to vote for a film for the free Canada Day Movie Night at Quaker Foods City Square.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Movie-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. The City will hand out free popcorn before the movie and host a s’mores station. The movie will begin at dusk or approximately 9 p.m. 

Movie fans can vote for one of the following options:

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a heartfelt and emotional story told through the eyes of Enzo, a devoted dog who shares the journey of his owner, race car driver Denny Swift, who is passionate about racing. Enzo’s perspective offers profound insights into the complexities of life, highlighting resilience and the powerful bond between humans and their pets.

The film was filmed in Vancouver and British Columbia, with additional on-track scenes shot at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.

The Big Year

The Big Year follows three men competing to see who can spot and identify the most bird species in North America in a single year: Brad Harris, a computer programmer; Stu Preissler, a corporate CEO; and Kenny Bostick, a record-holding birding champion. As their obsession grows, the film explores the personal sacrifices, challenges, and unexpected friendships that come with chasing a “big year” in birding.

The film was primarily shot in British Columbia, with scenes filmed in Squamish and Vancouver, and Canadian bird experts were brought in as advisors during production.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Gnomeo and Juliet is a whimsical animated retelling of Shakespeare’s classic love story, following Gnomeo and Juliet—two garden gnomes from rival families who fall in love despite their feud. Filled with humor, action, and heart, the film follows their journey as they try to be together against all odds.

The film was mainly produced in Toronto and features work from Canadian CGI animation company Starz Animation

Butterfly Tale

Butterfly Tale is a heartwarming animated adventure about Patrick, a young monarch butterfly born with an undeveloped wing who can’t fly. He sets off on a journey across North America to follow his dream of flight, inspired by the real-life migration of monarch butterflies. The film features original songs by Shawn Mendes and Johnny Orlando.

This film was made in Montreal as a Canadian production, featuring Canadian voice actors and a creative team of Canadian artists.

Each film has a Canadian connection, whether through cast and crew members or through filming locations and themes. 

The poll closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 19.  

Canada Day Movie night begins at 7:30 p.m. and marks the launch of the City of Peterborough’s Canada Day festivities. 

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