From a petting zoo to circus performers, an array of family entertainment is on the bill at two upcoming events in Lindsay and Peterborough marking the 50th anniversary of Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The regional children’s treatment centre is hosting “Family 50-Fest” on Saturday, September 6 at its location in Lindsay at 9 Russell Street East, with another event taking place on Saturday, September 27 at the Five Counties location at 872 Dutton Road in Peterborough.
“As the Family 50-Fest name suggests, both events are designed as free, family-friendly community celebrations of Five Counties’ 50th anniversary in 2025,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW.
“Fifty years is a big deal, so we want to mark that milestone by celebrating with our current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers, and community members,” Eekhof said.
Both events run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the respective centre sites in each community.
“Our hope in organizing Family 50-Fest events in Lindsay and Peterborough is to provide opportunities to come together to celebrate, reflect, and have fun,” Eekhoff added.
The events will feature kids’ activities, petting zoos, circus performers, the chance to touch an emergency vehicle, games, face-painting, story time, food, music, and more. Five Counties is also planning to offer open houses and tours of its sites in Lindsay and Peterborough, and display historical information.
The Family 50-Fest events are one of many of the centre’s 50th anniversary festivities.
“For five decades, Five Counties has been privileged to support many children and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs across the region,” said Darlene Callan, director of clinical services at Five Counties, in a media release.
Current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers and community members are invited to attend the Family 50-Fest events.
Although both events are free, space is limited and people are asked to register in advance by visiting the Five Counties website at www.fivecounties.on.ca, emailing 50@fivecounties.on.ca, or calling 1-888-779-9916 ext. 200.
Looking back on its 50 years, providing care close to home for children and youth was the main driver for establishing a children’s care centre in the Kawarthas region in the early 1970s, according to Five Counties.
Rotary Clubs from Peterborough, Lindsay, Minden, Haliburton, and elsewhere came together to spearhead the project. With the help of local leaders and families of children with disabilities, they were able to convince the Ontario government to support the construction of Five Counties Children’s Centre, which opened its doors in Peterborough in 1975.
From the beginning, children from across the region — including Lindsay, the City of Kawartha Lakes (then known as Victoria County), and Haliburton County — were able to get assistance at Five Counties.
Over time, the need to provide care even closer to home for children and family became evident, which led to Five Counties establishing a location in Lindsay in 1981 at Ross Memorial Hospital. That same year, Five Counties clinicians began travelling each month to provide services in Haliburton County, leasing space at the Minden site of Haliburton Highlands Health Services in the early 2000s.
Five Counties opened new locations in Campbellford in 1995 and in Cobourg in 1999 to better serve families in Northumberland County, and eventually moved out of the Ross Memorial Hospital to set up its own space in Lindsay. After multiple moves in Lindsay, the centre has been located at its present site since 2006.
When it opened in 1975, Five Counties served a total of 125 clients and, in 2023-24, served a total of 6,203 clients — the highest number in its history.
