Peterborough Blogs
Lakefield Artist Murray Henderson Named 2026 Sport Artist of the Year
/By Scott Arnold
Lakefield artist Murray Henderson has received a major international honour for his work capturing the emotion, movement and stories behind sports and the athletes who play them.
Murray Henderson’s work has earned international recognition, with the Lakefield artist receiving the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year award. (Photo courtesy of United States Sports University)
Henderson has been named the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year by the American Sport Art Museum & Archives (ASAMA) at the United States Sports University in Daphne, Alabama.
The award recognizes artists whose work captures the spirit and life of sport and has been presented for more than four decades. Previous recipients include Ernie Barnes, Kadir Nelson, Steve Skipper, Cristóbal Gabarrón and Steven Lester.
For Henderson, the recognition is a significant milestone in a career that has spanned more than 30 years.
“For much of my career, sport has been one of the great inspirations behind my work,” Henderson said. “I have always tried to go beyond simply portraying an athlete or a moment in competition. My goal has been to capture the emotion, movement, history, intensity and humanity behind sport—and to do it in a style that is uniquely my own.”
One of Murray Henderson’s works reflects the artist’s distinctive “Exact Abstract” style, which combines realism, colour, texture and expressive paintwork. (Photo courtesy of United States Sports University)
Based in Lakefield, Henderson is known for his “Exact Abstract” style, which combines detailed portraiture with layered colour, texture and expressive paintwork.
His large-scale works have focused on sport, culture, identity and human achievement, using painting, drawing, ink, airbrush and mixed media. Some pieces also incorporate authentic game-used or personally worn sports memorabilia, connecting the artwork directly to the athletes and moments being portrayed.
That approach is one of the things that stood out to ASAMA.
“Murray Henderson’s work immediately captured our attention through its sense of controlled chaos, powerful movement and bold use of color,” said Angela Phillips, an ASAMA Art Board member. “His philosophy of building each piece ‘with precision and destroying it with emotion’ is vividly reflected in his work.”
Henderson has also taken his art beyond the studio through live painting and collaborations, including the DREAM Collection, where athletes and celebrities participate in creating paintings of iconic moments using their own equipment.
His collaborations have included former NBA player Ryan Anderson and NFL players Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin, while his work has been featured at events including Miami Art Week, Fanatics Fest NYC and the National Sports Collectors Convention.
In a post announcing the award, Henderson said he has spent years trying to find a way to tell the stories of athletes, moments, memories and sports culture through his art.
“Every piece has a story. Every mark has a purpose,” he wrote.
Lakefield artist Murray Henderson has been named the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year by the American Sport Art Museum & Archives. (Photo courtesy of United States Sports University)
The Sport Artist of the Year award will bring some additional recognition to Henderson’s work over the coming year. He will be featured in a yearlong exhibition at ASAMA, and one of his works will become part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Henderson will officially receive the award during the USSU Awards of Sport on Monday, November 9th, at the university’s campus in Daphne. The public event runs from 5pm to 7pm.
For a Lakefield artist whose career has been so closely connected to telling the stories behind sport, the award represents another significant chapter and, as Henderson put it, motivation to keep pushing what sports art can be.
Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc
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Peterborough Musicfest Wraps 39th Season With Record Crowds and Big Plans for 40
/By Scott Arnold
More than 110,000 people filled Del Crary Park this summer as Peterborough Musicfest celebrated its 39th season with 16 free concerts, new programs and plenty of memorable nights along the shores of Little Lake.
Season 39 brought plenty of memorable nights to Del Crary Park, with big crowds, local talent and free live music continuing to make Peterborough Musicfest a summer staple. (Photo by Scott Arnold)
There was a lot to celebrate as the final pieces of the festival were packed away at Del Crary Park.
From record crowds and strong 50-50 sales to the addition of new programming for local musicians and young music lovers, Peterborough Musicfest’s 39th season delivered plenty of highlights — and already has the team looking ahead to a milestone 40th season in 2027.
According to Peterborough Musicfest Marketing and Communications Manager Raff Melito, more than 110,000 people came through the park this summer, despite the cancellation of the Canada Day show.
“It’s just been incredible. We had such a great season,” Melito said. “We had a higher attendance than last season, even with our canceled Canada Day show.”
With 16 shows to organize, the season can look like a long way off when planning begins. By the time the final concert is over, however, it seems to have disappeared in an instant.
“At the beginning of the season, we’re like, oh wow, we have these 16 shows to put on and it looks like a long lineup and a big long summer,” Melito said. “And then we’re here and we’re like, I can’t believe it’s over.”
More Than What Happens on Stage
While thousands of people come to Del Crary Park to see the artists, much of the work that makes those nights possible happens long before the first note.
A setup crew of roughly five to seven people arrives in the morning to prepare the park, putting out chairs and tents and getting the vendor and information areas ready. A five-person office team handles everything from marketing and volunteer coordination to event logistics and answering calls.
Then there are the volunteers, board members and others who help keep the festival moving throughout the summer.
“It’s amazing,” Melito said. “Without them, the show would not happen.”
The work also doesn't end when the final concert does. While the festival team will close the office briefly for a break, planning for Season 40 has already begun, including early work on artists and sponsorship packages.
After another busy summer behind the scenes, Raff Melito reflected on the people, programs and packed park that helped make Musicfest’s 39th season one to remember. (Photo by Scott Arnold)
Building a Music Community
One of the biggest developments over the past few seasons has been the gradual expansion of what happens at Musicfest beyond the main stage.
The Future Sound Series has created a platform for local artists to perform before the headline acts, giving them an opportunity to reach a much larger audience than they might normally encounter.
This year, Musicfest added another piece with First Note, a free, hands-on music program that gave children and youth the opportunity to pick up instruments and try them for themselves.
Supported by a grant from the Peterborough Foundation, First Note became another way for Musicfest to introduce people to music — from discovering an instrument for the first time, to performing on the side stage, to eventually taking in a major concert.
Melito described the three programs as a “really beautiful ecosystem” that has developed over the past three years.
“I’m really excited to watch all of those programs grow,” he said.
That impact was also something Tracey Randall, Peterborough Musicfest’s Executive Director, singled out when reflecting on the season.
“Just seeing instruments in children’s hands again,” Randall said. “Like when I was a kid, I took my clarinet home every week. So just to see that music in their life. It’s so important.”
Randall said being able to launch First Note with support from the Peterborough Foundation was one of the special moments of the season.
Tracey Randall marked another successful season for Peterborough Musicfest while already looking ahead to what could make the festival’s 40th anniversary even bigger. (Photo by Scott Arnold)
A Season That Reached Beyond Peterborough
Musicfest’s appeal extended well beyond the city, with high-calibre performers drawing audiences from across Ontario.
Randall said the festival had also been looking at how many visitors were travelling more than 40 kilometres to attend, with surveying done throughout the season to help measure that impact.
But for Randall, some of the most rewarding parts of the summer were found in the people working behind the scenes.
Musicfest relies heavily on student staff, many of whom move on to full-time jobs after completing their studies. Watching those staff members grow throughout a fast-paced summer is something Randall said she particularly enjoys.
She also credited the festival’s board, staff, volunteers and the people who work throughout the year to make the summer possible.
“I’m very proud of year 39,” Randall said.
The Trans-Canada Highwaymen Take a Walk
One of the more memorable moments away from the stage came when the Trans-Canada Highwaymen were in Peterborough for their Musicfest performance.
The four Canadian rock veterans — Steven Page, Chris Murphy, Moe Berg and Craig Northey — headed out from Del Crary Park for coffee at the Silver Bean Cafe, walking along the Trans-Canada Trail along the way.
The trail’s connection to the band’s name made the outing particularly fitting, especially when the group stopped for a photo at a Trans-Canada Trail sign.
Randall had been working on bringing the group to Musicfest for three years and said walking with the band through Peterborough was one of her favourite memories of the season.
“We found the Trans-Canada Trail sign along the way and took a photo and it went viral or trended, whatever you want to call it,” she said. “So I really, that was a great day, just going for a walk with the band.”
The moment was followed that night by one of the season’s most talked-about performances, with the group delivering songs from their respective bands and bringing four major Canadian music careers together on one stage.
Trans-Canada Highwaymen brought four of Canada’s best-known alternative-rock voices together for one of the standout performances of Musicfest’s 39th season. (Photo courtesy of PEterborough musicfest)
A Community That Keeps Musicfest Free
For all the big names and memorable performances, one of the festival’s biggest accomplishments remains the fact that the concerts continue to be free.
That depends on a community that continues to support Musicfest through sponsors, donors, volunteers, 50-50 purchases and attendance.
This year, that support was particularly evident through the festival’s 50-50 draw. Melito said nearly $121,000 worth of tickets were sold, providing an important source of revenue to help keep the festival going.
“To me, that is from the community that they support the festival and they wanted to keep going,” Melito said.
But the most meaningful measure of that support can be seen simply by walking through the park on a concert night.
“I see families, I see young kids up dancing, people out on picnic blankets and just rocking out to whatever band is on,” Melito said. “It might be their favourite band, it might be someone they don’t know. But everyone’s there for this shared experience.”
“And that to me is like the cherry on top for the festival.”
Looking Ahead to Season 40
There won't be much time to rest before work begins in earnest on Musicfest’s 40th season.
Melito said the planning has already started, while Randall has plenty of ideas coming out of the festival’s strategic planning process, including possible special seating around the stage area.
There is even talk of bringing back a boat for Canada Day — Randall drove Boat No. 2 during the festival’s first two seasons — as well as the possibility of extending the festival back to eight weeks and into the third week of August.
But those plans depend on continued community and sponsor support, particularly as costs rise and insurance expenses have doubled.
Musicfest is also hoping to announce its first Season 40 performer around Christmas or New Year’s, while planning for the Future Sound Series will continue so local musicians can once again take the stage in front of thousands of people.
For now, though, the 39th season is officially in the books.
After 16 free concerts, more than 110,000 visits to the park, new opportunities for young musicians and local performers, and countless nights shared by people from Peterborough and well beyond, there is plenty for the Musicfest team and community to be proud of.
And while the chairs are coming down and the park is being cleaned up, the work behind the scenes is already underway.
Season 40 is coming.
Two Teen Boys Face Multiple Charges Which Include Assault From Three Incidents
/Two teenage boys are facing multiple charges, including assault, in connection with three separate incidents from Saturday evening.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 6:20 p.m., officers were called to the area of McDonnel Street and Monaghan Road about a group of teens, one brandishing a knife, who approached and confronted another teen. Officers searched the area and located two males matching the description of the two people who were involved in the confrontation. During a search after arrest, officers located and seized a multi-tool pocketknife from one of the teens.
Officers learned of two other incidents involving the same teenagers.
In the first, a group of three teenagers reported being chased and assaulted by two teens in the area of the train bridge near George Street and Dalhousie Street. Two of the victims were taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre afterward for treatment and released.
In the second incident, a convenience store employee reported that a teen entered the store, took an item and left without paying. The teen returned about 30 minutes later and when told they could not enter the store, threatened the clerk by saying he had a knife before the group fled.
As a result of the investigations:
A 15-year-old Peterborough male was arrested in connection with all three incidents and charged with:
Assault X2
Assault with A Weapon
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Failure to comply with undertaking
Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm
Theft Under $5,000- Shoplifting
The accused is currently bound by an undertaking with the following conditions: to not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.
Another 15-year-old Peterborough male was arrested in connection with two of the incidents and charged with:
Assault X2
Assault with A Weapon
Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm
Both accused were held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on Sunday.
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Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Urges Public to "Buy Canadian" Amid Tense Trade Talks With United States
/Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP, has urged residents to ‘buy Canadian’ amid tense trade talks between Canada and the United States over tariffs.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
In a social media post made on Sunday, Smith stated that any deal that hurts Canadians is ‘not the right deal.’
“The US demanding concessions at the last hour on things that had already been agreed upon demonstrates they had no interest in actually honouring their word,” said Smith.
Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister, had suspended trade negotiations with the United States on Friday. This followed President Donald Trump’s sudden intention to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Canada on Saturday, said Carney. The Canadian Prime Minister stated that the tariff would affect roughly $28 billion of Canadian goods.
“Last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic and called into question the reliability of any deal,” he said.
Smith encouraged the public to buy Canadian to support its country during these trying times.
“Stay strong, buy Canadian and support your neighbours and friends,” he said.
Peterborough Petes Release 2026 Rookie Camp Rosters
/The Peterborough Petes have unveiled their roster for the 2026 Rookie Camp, with all games to be held at the Healthy Planet Arena, starting Monday.
Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.
The following is the full 41-player roster:
Forwards:
Pacey Adduono
Jonny Brooks
Elijah Chavez
Ty Civello
Jax Conklin
Matthew Crawford
Quinn Creally
Sebastian Dzieciol
Theo Finch
Ty Gendron
Nolan Gerow
Chase MacKay
Ethan MacLeish
Jayden Mercier
Mason Quinn
Kieran Raynor
Declan Ready
Brody Robertson
Brandt Rooyakkers
Landon Roulston
Nathan Slack
Alex Spadafora
Cale Williams
Defence:
Shane Brown
James Buchan
Tyson Cartier
Hudson Clayton
Josh Goodwin
Colton Lapierre
Cole McLennan
Marco Nichele
Aiden Plooy
Samuel Rivet
Keegan Shirley
Joseph Szarka
Daniel Tout
Eric Wood
Goaltenders:
Ethan Cosker
Luka Gelinas
Zidane Jasey
Andrew Vaduva
The following is a full schedule for the rookie camps:
Rookie Camp
Monday, Aug. 24
4 p.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)
Tuesday, Aug. 25
10 a.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)
4 p.m. – GAME – Rookie Maroon vs Rookie White (Healthy Planet Arena)
All scrimmages will take place on the Sign-A-Fied pad at Healthy Planet Arena and are open to the public.
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Reconstruction Project to Cause Lane Closure On Kawartha Heights Boulevard Until Sept. 7
/The northbound lane of Kawartha Heights Boulevard, between Lansdowne Street West and Applewood Crescent, is closed until Sept. 7 as part of the Lansdowne Street West Reconstruction project.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Turn restrictions will be in place at Lansdowne Street West, Spillsbury Drive and Kawartha Heights Boulevard. Northbound traffic on Kawartha Heights Boulevard should follow posted detour routes and allow extra time when travelling through the area.
The sidewalk on the east side of Kawartha Heights Boulevard will also be closed within the work area. Pedestrians are asked to use the west sidewalk.
The following Peterborough Transit detour routes will be in effect during the lane closure:
#6 Sherbrooke East and West will not be running on Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Spillsbury Drive between Applewood Crescent and Forster Avenue.
#6 East Detour: Spillsbury Drive to Forster Avenue to Brealey Drive to Cherryhill Road to Kawartha Heights Boulevard
#6 West Detour: Kawartha Heights Boulevard to Cherryhill Road to Brealey Drive to Forster Avenue to Spillsbury Drive
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Kawartha Farmfest Returns This Fall With Nine Farms to Explore
/By Scott Arnold
Fall is a pretty good time to get out and explore the countryside, and Kawartha Farmfest gives families nine different reasons to do just that.
Kawartha Farmfest returns October 3rd, bringing visitors to nine farms and rural attractions across Kawartha Lakes. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
The 24th annual Kawartha Farmfest takes place Saturday, October 3rd, with nine farm families opening their properties to visitors from 10am to 4pm.
It’s a self-guided driving tour, so there’s no set route. Visitors can decide which stops they want to make and how much time they want to spend at each one. Admission is $5 for adults, while children under 14 are free.
And each farm has its own theme and activities.
At The Roost Farm near Brechin, it’s all about maple, with demonstrations, farm animals, wool work and fall scenery. Wagon rides, food and the farm market are also available for an additional cost. Located at 3314 Kirkfield Rd, Brechin.
The Roost Farm will celebrate all things maple during this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
Schaiwind Farm in Woodville is putting the spotlight on its sheep, including demonstrations of sheep shearing and sheep dog herding. Visitors can also meet the shepherd and learn about the farm’s solar grazing operation. Located at 84 Goose Lake Rd., Woodville.
Schaiwind Farm is one of nine stops featured during the 24th annual Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
If apples are more your thing, Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables is offering pick-your-own apples from its dwarf orchard, with several varieties available. Ready-picked apples and products from the farm store will also be available. Located at 1641 Glenarm Rd., Woodville.
Visitors can explore Holliday’s Farm Fresh Vegetables during Kawartha Farmfest on October 3rd. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
At O’Brienview Farm in Cameron, visitors can walk through the certified organic farm, meet the cattle and poultry and learn more about organic farming. Fresh vegetables and frozen meat will be available for purchase. Located at 688 Country Lane, Cameron.
O’Brienview Farm will welcome visitors as part of this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
Sims Farm near Fenelon Falls will have its turkeys, chickens, goats, sheep and cattle on display, along with farm equipment and its farm store. There will also be a chance to purchase eggs, baked goods and a hot dog lunch. Located at 1394 Kawartha Lakes County Road 121 Fenelon Falls.
Sims Farm is among the nine participating farms taking part in Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
For those who don't mind getting a little lost, McQuaid’s Country Market near Omemee has a nine-acre corn maze, along with games, a scavenger hunt and a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. The farm market will also be stocked with pumpkins, squash, gourds and other local products. Located at 346 Peace Road, Omemee.
McQuaid’s Country Market will be one of the stops on the self-guided Kawartha Farmfest tour. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
Lunar Rhythm Gardens in Janetville will offer tours of its 15-acre organic farm, including its fields, greenhouses and other growing areas. Visitors can also see the farm animals and stop by the petting zoo, while fresh produce, meat, honey, preserves and apples will be available. Located at 253 Gray Road, Janetville.
Lunar Rhythm Gardens is opening its farm to visitors for this year’s Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
At Stellmar Farm in Little Britain, giant pumpkins take centre stage as the farm celebrates its 24th year of Pumpkinfest. There will be games, face painting, fall vendors and crafts, with a discounted haunted corn maze available to Farmfest visitors. Located at 136 Sandbar Road, Little Britain.
Stellmar Farm will celebrate its 24th year of Pumpkinfest during Kawartha Farmfest. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
And at Valentia Equestrian Centre, visitors can meet horses, sheep, goats, chickens, alpacas and other animals, explore the forest trail and mini maze, and take part in kids' activities. Pony rides and animal treats will be available for an additional cost. Located at 188 Valentia Road, Little Britain.
Valentia Equestrian Centre is one of nine farms welcoming visitors during Kawartha Farmfest on October 3rd. (Photo provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes via KawarthaLakes.ca)
With the farms spread throughout the Kawartha Lakes area, Farmfest is designed to be explored at your own pace. You can pick a few stops or try to see as many as possible in the six-hour event.
The event is rain or shine, although individual activities may change depending on the weather.
Some activities, food and farm products cost extra. Visitors should check the City of Kawartha Lakes website information before heading out for any last-minute changes to programming or individual sites.
Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc
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Peterborough Natives Help Canada Rally to Pan-Am Gold in Jamaica
/By Scott Arnold
Peterborough natives Owen Hiltz and Wyatt Wiggins are Pan-American champions after Canada erased a three-goal fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the United States 9-8 in Sunday’s gold-medal game in Kingston, Jamaica.
Team Canada celebrates after winning gold at the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Owen Hiltz is third from the left in the front row, wearing number 7, Wyatt Wiggins is seventh from the left in the back row, wearing number 22, and dan carey is third from the right in the back row, with the white hat. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)
Canada trailed 8-5 early in the fourth quarter before scoring four unanswered goals to complete the comeback and claim the Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Hiltz scored once and added an assist in the final, while Wiggins was part of Canada’s defensive group as the Canadians held the Americans scoreless for the entire fourth quarter.
Alex Simmons celebrates Canada’s Pan-American championship win in Jamaica by striking the iconic pose made famous by Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)
Alex Simmons tied the game with 1:32 remaining and then provided the game-winning goal with just 20 seconds remaining, completing a four-goal performance for Canada.
Simmons is a familiar name for local lacrosse fans. He played for the Oakville Rock, who were eliminated by the Peterborough Lakers in the Major Series Lacrosse semifinals earlier this month.
Owen Hiltz had a strong tournament for Canada, finishing with nine goals and seven assists on the way to the Pan-American championship. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)
Hiltz finished the tournament with nine goals and seven assists for 16 points, which was fourth-most on the Canadian team and seventh-most in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Wiggins helped anchor the Canadian defence throughout the championship, holding their opponents to just eight goals in five games, including a shutout win against Argentina.
Wyatt Wiggins was a key part of Canada’s defensive effort throughout the tournament as the team battled its way to Pan-American gold. (Photo via Instagram @lacrossecanada)
The gold medal also capped a successful tournament for Peterborough’s Dan Carey, who put the team together as Canada’s general manager.
Canada’s run to the championship included wins over Mexico, Haudenosaunee, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Argentina before Sunday’s comeback against the United States.
The tournament also secured Canada’s place at the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan, giving the Canadian team a championship title and a spot on the world stage in the same tournament.
Lakers Fall on the Road to Chiefs in Game 3 of MSL Final
/By Scott Arnold
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers dropped a 12-9 decision to the Six Nations Chiefs Sunday night, giving the Chiefs a 2-1 lead in the MSL final.
The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers battle the Six Nations Chiefs during Game 1 of the MSL Final on Wednesday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The series shifts to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game 2 on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of peterborough lakers, via anna taylor)
