Organizers announce details about inaugural Peter Robinson Festival

Summer heritage and performing arts festival takes place on Civic Holiday long weekend

By Jeannine Taylor -
Published
The organizing committee for the inaugural Peter Robinson Festival held a media conference at Peterborough's Holiday Inn to announce details about the event, which takes place on July 31 and August 1 this summer. Pictured is Peterborough's founder Peter Robinson (portrayed by Tim Rowat) with the festival's communications director Jacob Speck and festival chair Tim Burke. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
The organizing committee for the inaugural Peter Robinson Festival held a media conference at Peterborough's Holiday Inn to announce details about the event, which takes place on July 31 and August 1 this summer. Pictured is Peterborough's founder Peter Robinson (portrayed by Tim Rowat) with the festival's communications director Jacob Speck and festival chair Tim Burke. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

Organizers of the first annual Peter Robinson Festival held a media conference today at Peterborough’s Holiday Inn to announce details about the event taking place on Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st at Morrow Park in Peterborough.

The outdoor family-friendly celebration of heritage, art, and culture in Peterborough and the surrounding area coincides with the August 3rd civic holiday, known as Peter Robinson Day in Peterborough. The City of Peterborough has declared the week leading up to civic holiday as Peter Robinson Week.

“The purpose of the festival is to promote local,” festival chair Tim Burke said. “Local arts, local business, local heritage, an awareness of our local Irish heritage, knowledge of the Peter Robinson Settlement, local crafts and vendors, musicians and more.”

Activities at the Peter Robinson Festival will include outdoor historic exhibitions from area museums and heritage organizations, an art gallery, two stages of live music and performing arts, food from local restaurants, samples from Ontario micro-breweries and wineries, and various talents and workshops.

“It’s a celebration of the area’s cultural and historical heritage and we plan on making it fun,” Burke said.

Some of the members of the festival's organizing committee: Fiona Newman (fundraising chair), Allan Brunger of Trent Valley Archives, Jason Stabler of New Canadians Centre, Patrick Leahy of the University of Guelph (a post-graduate history student whose thesis involves the Robinson Settlement), Richard Tucker of the Canadian Canoe Museum, and Dennis Carter-Edwards of the Peterborough Historical Society. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Some of the members of the festival’s organizing committee: Fiona Newman (fundraising chair), Allan Brunger of Trent Valley Archives, Jason Stabler of New Canadians Centre, Patrick Leahy of the University of Guelph (a post-graduate history student whose thesis involves the Robinson Settlement), Richard Tucker of the Canadian Canoe Museum, and Dennis Carter-Edwards of the Peterborough Historical Society. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Peter Robinson was a 19th-century politician who administered the passage and settlement of over 2500 poor Catholic families, mostly from County Cork in Ireland, in eastern Ontario. Known as the Robinson Settlement, these families settled in Lanark County, Carleton County (today Ottawa), and Scott’s Plains — which was later renamed Peterborough in Robinson’s honour.
Peterborough is named after Peter Robinson, a 19th-century politician who administered the passage and settlement of Catholic families from Ireland to eastern Ontario
Peterborough is named after Peter Robinson, a 19th-century politician who administered the passage and settlement of Catholic families from Ireland to eastern Ontario
“We are the most Irish community in Canada, but we’re lacking an awareness of the significance of our Irish heritage,” Burke said.

The festival’s organizing committee represents unprecedented collaboration between community organizations, including Trent Valley Archives, New Canadians Centre, Peterborough Historical Society, Canadian Canoe Museum, and Peterborough Academy for Circus Arts.

The committee plans to ensure the festival is affordable for everyone, with reasonable admission costs and family packages.

Fundraising events leading up to the festival event may include regular Liftlock Cruises featuring local vendors and music. One fundraising idea involves a trip for two to Ireland.

The committee hopes the festival will become Peterborough’s primary heritage and performing arts festival, attracting tourists to the area.

There are also long-term plans to develop the festival over the next 10 years to prepare for the 200th anniversary, in 2025, of the Robinson Settlement.


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