New owners Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh cut the ribbon at the entrance to Grady's Feet Essentials at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough as retiring owners Kelli and Tony Grady look on during a ceremony on September 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Grady's Feet Essentials)
A Peterborough footwear business with roots stretching back more than four decades has entered a new chapter of family ownership.
Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh officially took ownership of Grady’s Feet Essentials from Kelli and Tony Grady on Tuesday (September 1), as the longtime owners retired after almost 30 years at the helm of the independent business.
The transition was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough. Thibadeau, who previously was an employee of the business, cut the ribbon along with Walsh while the Gradys held either end, before Kelli and Tony presented the new owners with an oversized key symbolizing the transfer of the business.
Advertisement - content continues below
“When my dad started this business in 1984, we could never have imagined the journey ahead,” Tony said in a media release.
“Kelli and I are proud of what our family, staff and community helped build, and we could not be happier that Theresa and Mark are leading its next chapter. Theresa knows this business, our customers, and what makes the Grady’s experience special.”
Grady’s began in the home of Tony’s father, Ken Grady Sr., who visited customers to make custom-moulded orthotics under the name Grady’s Orthopaedic Service.
In 1984, Ken Grady Sr. founded what would become Grady’s Feet Essentials 40 years later when he opened Grady’s Orthopaedic Service, which supplied custom-molded orthotics. His son Tony and his wife Kelli took over the family business in 1997 and have since rebranded and relocated several times before moving to their current location at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photos courtesy of Grady’s Feet Essentials)
The business opened its first storefront on Hunter Street in 1985 as Grady’s Shoes and Orthopaedic Services, before moving to 386 George Street North the following year. Tony, who began working for his father while attending high school in 1986, purchased the business with Kelli in 1997.
As kawarthaNOW reported when Grady’s celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, the couple renamed the store Tony Grady’s Shoe Tree and shifted its focus toward comfortable, durable footwear.
To distinguish the business from competing downtown shoe stores, the Gradys set out to become the region’s leading Birkenstock retailer. The store would eventually add dozens of comfort-focused brands, including Blundstone, New Balance, Brooks, Clarks, Keen, Teva, Redback, and Finn Comfort.
Advertisement - content continues below
In 2000, the Gradys expanded to Lansdowne Place, initially selling footwear from a cart near the mall’s escalators. The operation later grew to two carts before moving into a permanent upper-level storefront in 2005.
The store, by then rebranded as Grady’s Feet Essentials, became the mall’s top-performing retailer per square foot in its category for several years, according to Tony.
The Gradys purchased the long-vacant building at 231 King Street in 2018, restoring it for use as office and inventory space. When pandemic restrictions forced the mall to close, the building’s street-level outdoor entrance allowed the business to continue serving customers.
A young Tony Grady behind the desk at Grady’s Shoes at 386 George Street North in 1997 after purchasing the business from his father. An entrepreneur from a young age, Tony began working at his father’s business as a teenager. (Photo courtesy of Grady’s Feet Essentials)
The company was also positioned to adapt because it had launched an online store in January 2020 and acquired an electric delivery vehicle shortly before the pandemic. Positive feedback from customers and staff ultimately led Grady’s to leave Lansdowne Place and move its entire retail operation to King Street in 2022.
As for Thibadeau, she first worked at Grady’s in her twenties and returned in 2016 after gaining additional experience in retail and accounting. In recent years, she has handled ordering, inventory control, scheduling, accounting, social media, and store operations, while continuing to serve customers.
“Owning my own store has been a dream for a long time, and a lifetime of experience has brought me to this moment,” she said.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I am honoured to build on what Kelli and Tony have created,” Thibadeau added. “Our customers can continue to count on the comfortable footwear, knowledgeable fitting, and personal service they know and love, while Mark and I bring our own energy and ideas to the business.”
For his part, Walsh has more than 20 years of automotive-industry experience and a first-hand appreciation for comfortable safety footwear. He plans to expand the store’s safety-footwear selection and is training to provide Birkenstock repair and Blundstone care services.
The ownership transition follows a final charitable contribution made by Kelli and Tony through the business: a $5,000 donation to the Rotary Accessible Playground Project at Riverview Park and Zoo. The couple also made a personal donation through the project’s Buy a Brick campaign.
Tony and Kelli Grady are retiring after operating Grady’s Feet Essentials for almost 30 years. Tony’s father launched the business as Grady’s Orthopaedic Service in 1984, with Tony and Kelli taking over in 1997, rebranding and relocating several times before moving to the current location at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Grady’s Feet Essentials)
The gift continues a history of community involvement by Tony and Kelli that has included support for 4th Line Theatre, New Stages Theatre, Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival, and Community Care Peterborough’s foot clinic.
Kelli and Tony have also served on the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s board of directors and received the club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2023 for their contributions.
Grady’s Feet Essentials will continue operating at 231 King Street and online at feetessentials.com under Thibadeau and Walsh’s ownership. Throughout September, customers can enter draws to win footwear from Kizik and Finn Comfort.
Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh, the new owners of Grady’s Feet Essentials at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough. Previously a Grady’s employee, Thibadeau says she has dreamed of owning her own store for a long time. Walsh has more than 20 years of automotive-industry experience and plans to expand the store’s safety-footwear selection, and is also training to provide Birkenstock repair and Blundstone care services. (Photo courtesy of Grady’s Feet Essentials)
Centrally located in Peterborough County, Selwyn Township is home to the communities of Bridgenorth, Lakefield, Ennismore, Young's Point, and Buckhorn. With nearly 18,700 residents, it is the county's most populous municipality. (Photo: Selwyn Township website)
With the nomination period for the October 26 municipal election having closed on August 21, Peterborough County voters are looking for answers from the now-certified candidates for council.
Residents of the eight municipalities that form Peterborough County — Township of Asphodel-Norwood, Township of Cavan Monaghan, Township of Douro-Dummer, Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Township of North Kawartha, Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, Township of Selwyn, and Municipality of Trent Lakes — will be voting for members of their lower-tier councils whose leadership makes up the membership of county council.
In the multi-part series of stories, kawarthaNOW asked candidates to introduce their campaigns by answering the question “Why are you running for council and what makes you a unique candidate?” and has published their responses verbatim. This series will present candidate responses by municipality.
The Township of Selwyn’s council comprises a mayor, deputy mayor, and three councillors, with one elected in each of three wards: Ennismore Ward (Ward 10), Smith Ward (Ward 20), and Lakefield Ward (Ward 30).
Three positions on council were acclaimed after the closure of the nomination period, as only a single candidate was nominated in each position: incumbent deputy mayor Ron Black was acclaimed as mayor (incumbent mayor Sherry Senis did not seek re-election), incumbent Lakefield Ward councillor John Boyko was acclaimed as deputy mayor, and incumbent Mary Coulas was acclaimed in Ennismore Ward.
Incumbent Smith Ward councillor Brian Henry is seeking re-election, with Mark Eakins challenging him for the seat.
Candidates for Lakefield Ward councillor are Sue Amsbury and Nadine Robinson, with Michael Barrett withdrawing his nomination the day before the nomination period closed.
Mayor
Ron Black (acclaimed)
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Deputy Mayor
John Boyko (acclaimed)
kawarthaNOW did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated with any response provided.
Advertisement - content continues below
Ennismore Ward (Ward 10)
Mary Coulas (incumbent, acclaimed)
Selwyn deserves thoughtful, hands-on leadership that plans responsibly. I’m seeking re-election to continue to help build a strong, welcoming, and sustainable future for Selwyn.
I bring a combination of professional experience from academia, political and public service, the agricultural sector, and community volunteerism. I’m able to understand complex issues, navigate political institutions, consider multiple viewpoints, and propose practical solutions. I value a listening-first approach, followed by collaboration, and informed decision-making grounded in both evidence-based policy making and local priorities.
My vision is to preserve the character and integrity of Ennismore while enhancing quality of life across Selwyn. My priorities include responsible budgeting and asset management; economic development and local tourism; enhanced resources for staff and municipal service delivery; modernized emergency management and strong support for fire services; meaningful partnerships and reconciliation with Curve Lake and other Indigenous communities; and enhanced library services and outdoor spaces.
Advertisement - content continues below
Smith Ward (Ward 20)
Mark Eakins
My name is Mark Eakins and I am seeking election for counsellor of Smith Ward SelwynOntario. My education background is university of Toronto economic political science, Durham College diamond triangle program, Humber College BTJ Steamfitter and Millwright.
My background is very diverse and I have worked in numerous fields as an organizer for Ontario pipe trades council 10 years. I was all also a partner in various IRAP projects (Industrial Research Assistance Program) a federally funded organization for inventors and innovators in industrial fields. This experience enabled me to deal with challenges and the skills needed to handle issues new to these capital projects.Team work being a key element to success?
I would like to see general counsel meetings moved back to evening as they were in the past. This would allow public involvement and input without undue hardship, such as time off from your job in order to address issues. The current Tuesday afternoon meetings do not facilitate this function. I feel public opinion is strongly required in matters such as publicly funded construction projects and infrastructure.
There are many issues we face as a municipality and township as a whole, new and old! I view my position if elected to be a conduit between taxpayer and council. I encourage you to keep this thought in mind when voting this October 26 for the upcoming 2026 elections. Your support is appreciated.
Brian Henry (incumbent)
I am running for re-election because there is more work to be done to protect what makes Smith Ward and Selwyn Township a great place to call home, while preparing responsibly for the challenges ahead.
Municipal government is where politics becomes practical. Residents see the results in their roads, emergency services, taxes, municipal services and whether the rural character of their community is being protected. Since being elected in 2022, I have worked to bring a practical, accountable approach to those decisions while remaining accessible to the residents I represent.
What makes me a unique candidate is the combination of Council experience and a career that has crossed borders and taken me from kitchens and classrooms to humanitarian operations and Emergency Operations Centres.
Today, I work in emergency management and humanitarian operations with The Loomex Group, serving as an EOC Director of Operations supporting complex emergencies and community evacuations. That work has taught me to listen, establish priorities, rely on good information, make difficult decisions and remain accountable for the resources entrusted to me.
I bring that same approach to Council.
My priorities include protecting our rural lifestyle, strengthening community and road safety, maintaining service levels while demanding fiscal accountability, creating opportunities for youth, supporting seasonal and rural residents, and strengthening emergency preparedness.
I am not interested in promising everything to everyone. My approach is simple: protect what matters, prepare for what is ahead, spend responsibly and remain accountable to the people you serve.
Advertisement - content continues below
Lakefield Ward (Ward 30)
Sue Amsbury
Serving in municipal government has been a lifelong dream of mine. I have always wanted the opportunity to sit at the table where decisions are made and help create meaningful, positive change for residents. I believe this is the right time for me to bring my experience, energy and commitment to the council table and work hard for the people of Lakefield.
My uniqueness comes from the combination of my deep roots in this community and the life experience I bring with me. As a fourth-generation Selwyn Township resident, a Lakefield small-business owner, charity work and someone with 35 years of corporate experience working with people at all levels, I understand the value of listening, working together and finding practical solutions. I’m not coming to the table as a career politician, but as someone who genuinely cares about this community and wants to give back to the place I call home.
Nadine Robinson
I grew up in Smith township and live in Lakefield. After living and working abroad, I chose to return to raise my family in Lakefield as it is a vibrant, friendly, safe, walkable village. We love being surrounded by nature with trails, the marshland and beach, and great local amenities and groups, and the strong sense of community. I see Lakefield from the lens of a village resident and mother to two active children. I am engaged through St Paul’s School parent council and volunteer with the Lakefield Children’s Choir.
If Lakefield is to grow successfully, we need thoughtful development, infrastructure and services that keep pace. We also need to protect the natural resource base and need decisions that support the long-term interests of Lakefield. I am running to represent Lakefield to ensure it remains a vibrant, sustainable and welcoming community for generations to come.
I bring to Selwyn Council unique experience across law, government, public policy, and sustainability. As a lawyer I understand procedural rules, can navigate legal frameworks and can ask informed questions about risk mitigation. With significant government experience I understand how governments work at multiple levels. I have worked on issues and policies that matter to local residents and businesses, such as waste and recycling, planning, infrastructure, economic development and resources management. I bring a proven track record in sustainability from the public and private sectors. I have been recognised for stakeholder engagement. I am keen to listen to your views, collaborate and take fresh new ideas forward to Council.
kawarthaNOW has reproduced written responses from candidates verbatim. Any errors, factual or otherwise, or any use of AI-generated content originate with the candidate.
This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features end-of-summer bucket list across the Kawarthas, including Silent Lake Provincial Park, The Canadian Canoe Museum, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, Ganaraska Forest, Algonquin Provincial Park's South Gate, Sanctuary Flower Fields, The Gut, Haliburton Sculpture Forest, Doube's Trestle Bridge, Liftlock Cruises, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)
Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW sharing trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from people who know and love this region. It’s what we love about where we live. Kawartha Localist is sponsored by Kawartha Financial Services.
The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and the kids are packing their bookbags. The final weeks of summer are upon us.
Here in the greater Kawarthas, there are so many adventures to have throughout the summer, from strolling through small towns to enjoying time on the water. If you haven’t had a chance to do it all yet this year, here is your reminder to get outside and get exploring!
With that in mind, here is our must-do bucket list of things to do across the Kawarthas before summer is gone.
A message from our sponsor - content continues below
Go paddling in Silent Lake Provincial Park in Haliburton County
Silent Lake Provincial Park, located between Apsley and Bancroft in Haliburton County, is known for its popular mountain biking trail. The provincial park is home to Silent Lake, where no motorboats or electric boats are allowed, making it an ideal place for paddle boarders and those who want to be immersed in the sounds of nature. The park also boasts sandy beaches, hiking trails, and campgrounds with walk-in and electrical sites. (Photo: Haliburton County)
If you’re not ready to store your canoe, kayak, or paddle board for the winter, there’s no better place for one more paddle than across Silent Lake.
Whether you’re a beginner or you just enjoy paddling in the quiet, hearing nothing but birdsong in the trees and frogs croaking on the shoreline, Silent Lake is the perfect place for one final summer paddle.
Located in southern Haliburton County, the aptly named Silent Lake Provincial Park is a favourite location for many people seeking solitude and quiet. That’s because there are no motorboats or electric motors permitted on Silent Lake — and that means no fear of being swamped or worse.
If you’re ambitious, you can paddle all the way across the 2.5-kilometre lake or access the adjoining Quiet or Soft Lakes by completing a short unmaintained portage (if the water level allows).
The park also offers three hiking trails ranging from 1.5 kilometres to 15 kilometres in length, moderate and difficult mountain bike trails, and sandy beaches for swimming. Want to camp one more time? Silent Lake also has two campgrounds located in forested settings, boasting both electrical and walk-in sites.
If you don’t have time to get to Silent Lake before the snow flies, the park still has a lot to offer in the winter. There are roofed cabins available, trails ideal for snowshoeing, and lake trout ice fishing is permitted.
Silent Lake Provincial Park is located off Highway 28 between Apsley and Bancroft. To learn more, visit ontarioparks.ca/park/silentlake.
Hop on a Voyageur canoe tour at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough
Until October 12, 2026, you can book a Voyageur canoe tour at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough and explore Little Lake. You can also can rent canoes or kayaks for your own self-guided tour. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
Don’t let the winter come around without taking a paddle on Little Lake through the Voyageur Canoe Tour at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough.
Rain or shine, paddlers of all ages and skill levels can hop into a 36-foot Voyageur canoe crewed by other paddlers and a museum tour guide for a one-hour paddle around Little Lake. The guide will equip you and give you all the knowledge you need to get on the water and paddling. The tours are held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. until October 12.
Feel confident and prefer your own watercraft? You can rent a canoe or kayak and hit the water all on your own. Rent the watercraft by the hour, half day, or full day and go on your own exploration of the lake until October 11, weather permitting.
While you’re at the Canadian Canoe Museum, you’ll also want to head inside to explore the world’s largest and most significant collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft. The nationally significant collection, established in 1997, features more than 650 watercraft with origins and stories spanning the country.
The Canadian Canoe Museum is located at 2077 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough. To learn more about the watercraft activity at the museum, visit canoemuseum.ca/visit/paddling.
Learn about the Kawarthas in the 19th century at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene
You only have a few more weeks to step back in time to see what the Kawarthas looked like in the 19th century at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene.
On a 25-acre site, Lang Pioneer Village Museum features over 30 restored and furnished historic buildings that were constructed between the 1820s and 1910, as well as several replica buildings.
When you visit the museum, you’ll stroll through the village, dropping into the blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, barns, general store, and many more buildings, while being surrounded by villagers dressed in authentic attire. Browse through the permanent or temporary exhibits, enjoy an afternoon tea in the Keene Hotel, or drop in for one of the special events happening throughout the fall, including Applefest and Spooky All Hallows’ Eve.
Located at 104 Lang Road in Keene, Lang Pioneer Village Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays until September 6, after which guided tours will only be available by appointment on Fridays in September and October.
Cross the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge in Campbellford
Open daily year-round, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge in Campbellford is a 300-foot-long bridge hovering 30 feet over the Trent River. The suspension bridge is located in Ferris Provincial Park, which has over 10 kilometres of hiking trails through forests and riverside settings with views of Ranney Falls. (Photo: Northumberland Tourism)
Okay, so there’s really no bad time of year to cross the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge in Campbellford, but we’re adding it to your must-do list for the summer anyway.
Located in Ferris Provincial Park, the 300-foot-long bridge hovers up to 35 feet about the Ranney Gorge south of Ranney Falls beside Locks 11 and 12 and is a part of the Trans Canada Trail. You may feel like a daredevil when experiencing the sway of the bridge, but it’s entirely worth it for the unbeatable 360-degree views of the Trent River.
It’s the only pedestrian bridge of its kind in Ontario, and you don’t really have to worry about crossing it — the total weight the bridge can hold is 75,000 pounds!
While you’re in Ferris Provincial Park, you can enjoy over 10 kilometres of trails through forest and riverside settings and a lookout over the falls.
Explore southern Ontario’s largest contiguous forest at the Ganaraska Forest
Managed by Ganaraska Conservation, the Ganaraska Forest is southern Ontario’s largest contiguous forest at 11,000 acres (4,452 hectares), straddling Northumberland and Peterborough counties, Kawartha Lakes, and Durham Region. The forest offers hundreds of kilometres of trails for year-round activities including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature appreciation. (Photo: Ganaraska Conservation)
Hiking, horseback riding, cycling, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling — you can do all that and more at the Ganaraska Forest, southern Ontario’s largest contiguous forest.
Managed by Ganaraska Conservation and straddling Northumberland County, Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Durham Region, the Ganaraska Forest is popular for the range of available recreational activities given its location within an hour’s drive of Toronto.
No matter which activity you choose, you’ll be immersing yourself in a landscape of rolling hills and mixed forest. The Central Forest offers several marked hiking loops to choose from with many starting and ending at the Ganaraska Forest Centre in the Municipality of Port Hope. Another 35 kilometres of signed and groomed cross-country ski trails and 10 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails can be found across the entire forest.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, check out the independently operated Treetop Trekking in the Central Forest, where you can experience a thrilling treetop adventure in the towering red pine forest with giant ziplines, aerial games, and Timberwolf — Ontario’s most challenging aerial course.
Paddle or hike to High Falls in Algonquin Park in Haliburton County
Many people are unaware that the Southern Gate of Algonquin Provincial Park is located within Haliburton County and makes for a quieter place to enjoy a scenic paddle or hike. A loved place to explore is High Falls, accessible by paddling the York River, or through a short hike accessible from Elephant Lake Road. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)
Highway 60 gets a lot of the glory when it comes to the must-explore places in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario’s oldest provincial park and its third largest, but sometimes you’ll find the best hidden gems on the path less travelled.
That’s the case when it comes to Algonquin Park’s South Gate, located in Haliburton County, which is much less busy and crowded than the bustling East and West Gates but still gives visitors access to the rugged beauty of the park.
At Kingscote Access Point, you’ll find six walk-in campsites perfect for pitching the tent in a quiet, isolated site without having to portage. Or use the site as a jumping-off point to begin your backcountry adventure, and book a campsite along the York River or head to the popular High Falls, a natural water slide and series of cascading rock chutes located along the Barron River.
Prefer to travel by foot than watercraft? It’s an easy-going two-kilometre trail to get to High Falls from the parking lot on Elephant Lake Road, just outside the park.
Pick your own dahlias and other annuals at Sanctuary Flower Fields in Selwyn
There are still a few weeks left to book a pick-your-own experience at Sanctuary Flower Fields, located in the Township of Selwyn. On a 69-acre family farm, Convery has grown cosmos, dahlias, marigolds, snapdragons, cornflowers, sunflowers, and many more specialty annuals. (Photo: Mary Zita Payne Photography)
There are only a few weeks left to head out to Sanctuary Flower Fields in the Township of Selwyn to pick your own locally grown, fresh cut flowers.
Kelly Convery began Sanctuary Flower Fields after leaving her high-pressure career as a paramedic, and today the flower fields are a haven for people wanting to similarly take a moment to themselves and slow down in nature.
On a 69-acre family farm, Convery has grown cosmos, dahlias, marigolds, snapdragons, cornflowers, sunflowers, and many more specialty annuals. Available until the first frost, the pick-your-own experiences allow you to wander through the flower fields and select the ones that call to you most.
Pick as many as can fit in your Joy Jar and Convery will let you stay in the field as long as you want, enjoying the fresh air and stunning flowers. Take some photos, munch on a snack, catch up with a friend and, best of all, stop and smell the dahlias.
Located at 89 Moloney Line east of Ennismore, Sanctuary Flower Fields is only open for pre-booked pick-your-own flowers or other events. The fields are just east of the residential driveway.
Catch a first-run film at Highland Cinemas in Kinmount
Maybe you’re all tired out from a busy summer and looking forward to a quieter fall catching up on all of this summer’s hottest film releases. If that’s the case, why not catch a film at one of most unique movie theatres in the country, located in Kinmount?
When Keith Stata opened Highlands Cinema in 1979, it had one screen and under 60 seats. Today, the theatre in the trees covers 18,000 square feet, with more than 500 seats across five theatres.
But Highlands Cinema is so much more than a theatre. Here, you’ll also find a 4,000-square foot museum containing movie projectors dating back to the beginning of motion picture until today, alongside mannequins dressed to the nines, pinball machines, books, and many more collectibles from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Further adding to this venue’s uniqueness, Highlands Cinemas cares for more than 60 cats that were abandoned. They reside in 14 homes on the property, with access to outdoor pens.
In 2024, director Matt Finlin released a documentary on Stata and Highlands Cinemas called The Movie Man. One of the film’s executive producers was Ed Robertson of the band Barenaked Ladies, who is a long-time patron of the theatre.
As of September 4, Highlands Cinema is open four days a week from Thursday to Monday until Thanksgiving Monday when it closes for the season.
Highlands Cinemas is located at 4131 County Road 121 in Kinmount. To learn more, find out what’s playing, and purchase tickets, visit www.highlandscinemas.com.
Enjoy the breathtaking views of The Gut in Coe Hill
Located east of Apsley in Coe Hill, The Gut Conservation Area is home to The Gut, a breathtaking natural gorge through which the Crowe River flows. You can take a short stroll to the gorge from the parking lot or walk along one of the hiking trails winding through the forests and meandering along the river. (Photo: Hastings County)
If you have a chance to visit Hastings Highlands before the snow flies, don’t pass up a chance to stop in at The Gut Conservation Area, a breathtaking hidden gem in Coe Hill.
Don’t let the rocky road on the way into the park scare you off — The Gut is worth the journey. The Crowe River flows through this 30-metre-high gorge for about 230 metres, presenting a unique natural wonder that locals have loved for years.
A short stroll from the parking lot will bring you right up to the dramatic rock walls, where you’ll be mesmerized by the rushing water.
If you have more time to spend at The Gut Conservation Area, a 400-acre site protected by Crowe Valley Conservation, you can also find year-round hiking trails across steep hills and meandering along the river.
Discover why Hastings County is well-known for its waterfalls and rapids
Not to be confused with High Falls in Haliburton County, High Falls in Hastings County is located in Bird’s Creek just outside Bancroft. The 10-metre waterfall on the York River sits just downstream of the dam that holds back the water level of Baptiste Lake. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)
The Gut is just one of many recognizable flowing bodies of water that are well-explored across Hastings County.
There’s also Egan Chutes, located in the non-operating provincial park of the same name, which is a popular spot for birding and hiking. Just 15 kilometres east of Bancroft, this provincial park is unassuming, though short and moderate trails will take you to view three different, picturesque waterfalls.
Further south in Hastings County, you’ll find Callaghan’s Rapids Conservation Area in Marmora, which features two waterfalls, each only a metre in height. These rapids are a refreshing place to go for a late-summer swim surrounded by limestone rock. While there, see if you can find the “caves” formed by eroding rock slabs. Some you’ll have to crawl through, but other spots are tall enough to stand!
Just outside Bancroft in Bird’s Creek, you’ll find another waterfall called High Falls — not to be confused with the one in Haliburton County. This 10-metre waterfall on the York River sits just downstream of the dam that holds back the water level of Baptiste Lake. It’s a favourite spot for locals and well worth the trip.
Stroll through local and international works of art at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest
“Curled Figures” by Susan Low-Beer are just two of the more than 40 sculptures you will find at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. (Photo: Haliburton Sculpture Forest)
This summer, the Haliburton Sculpture Forest celebrated 25 years of being a destination that artists and art admirers travel from far and wide to explore.
Sharing Glebe Park with the Haliburton Highlands Museum and Haliburton Campus of Fleming College, the Sculpture Forest opened in 2001 with just three sculptures. Today, there are more than 50 sculptures across 1.4 kilometres of trails, each created by Canadian and international artists.
Made from bronze, stone, steel, wood, and glass, these sculptures come in a range of shapes including animals, people, elements, and more, each telling a unique story.
When you’re on the grounds, be sure to take notice of the five new sculptures that were recently added to the Sculpture Forest and celebrated as part of the 25th anniversary.
These include the “Quadratic Whisper,” installed in October 2025 and made by mathematic sculptor George Hart alongside students from Haliburton Highlands Secondary School and the Haliburton School or Art and Design during a hands-on workshop.
Another new one is “Happy Hippo” by Nyaha Mabika, created using springstone from Zimbabwe. The sculpture was exhibited at the ZimArt Rice Lake Gallery in Bailieboro before the gallery closed in 2023.
The Haliburton Sculpture Forest is located in Glebe Park at 297 College Drive in Haliburton. To learn more, visit www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca.
Hike or cycle over Doube’s Trestle Bridge between Peterborough and Omemee
Also known as Orange Corners Trestle Bridge, Doube’s Trestle Bridge between Peterborough and Omemee is a favourite spot for cyclists, hikers, and snowmobilers. Originally constructed in 1883 for the Midland Railway’s route between Peterborough and Lindsay, the 175-metre bridge offers stunning views of the Buttermilk Valley and is on the Kawartha Trans-Canada Trail. (Photo: Rodney Fuentes)
We have another bridge to add to your bucket list before the end of the summer! The historic Doube’s Trestle Bridge (also known as Orange Corners Trestle Bridge) between Peterborough and Omemee is a beloved destination for hikers, cyclists, and more.
With stunning views over Buttermilk Valley, the 175-metre bridge was constructed in 1883 for the Midland Railway’s route between Peterborough and Lindsay. It was originally 1,500 feet long and made of wood, but the central part of the trestle was later converted to steel.
In 1921, Canadian National Railways took over the route to use for passengers and freight trains, before it was just used exclusively by freight trains until the trains ceased using the line in 1978.
Eventually it became a section of the 53.8-kilometre Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, and remains to this day a well-used pathway with unbeatable views.
In 2023, the bridge was featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie on Amazon Prime Video. A fire damaged a section of the bridge in September 2024, but it was repaired and reopened the following August.
To learn more about the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail and Doube’s Trestle Bridge, visit ktct.ca.
Explore Peterborough by water with Liftlock Cruises
Before the snow flies, explore the Kawarthas by the water by climbing aboard the Island Princess III for a two-hour sightseeing tour led by Liftlock Cruises in Peterborough. The daily cruises will take visitors on a journey across Little Lake and past the Centennial Fountain to learn about Peterborough’s history, the Trent Severn Waterway, and the mechanics of the lift lock system. (Photo: Liftlock Cruises)
Don’t let summer come to an end without stepping aboard the Island Princess III.
At Liftlock Cruises, you can hop on this vessel with an enclosed lower deck and open upper deck for a two-hour sightseeing tour departing from the Peterborough Marina.
Taking a tour across Little Lake, past the Centennial Fountain and into the lock system, you’ll be entertained learning all about the history of Peterborough, the Trent Severn Waterway, and the mechanics of the lock system. The tour will also take you through the Peterborough Lift Lock (Lock 21), the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock.
Onboard, you’ll find a fully-licensed snack bar making for an inviting day out for the whole family — including your dog!
Is autumn exploration more your style? Hop aboard the Triple Crown Fall Colour Cruise and see the hues of the autumn across the Kawarthas. This three-hour cruise, leaving on select days starting the end of September, will take you through the breathtaking autumn while teaching you all about the local history.
The sightseeing tours leave daily until mid-October. To learn more, visit www.liftlockcruises.com.
Support local in a picturesque small town in the Kawarthas
Millbrook is one of many quaint and historic small towns across the greater Kawarthas region that offer plenty of opportunities for supporting local. Across the downtown areas, you’ll find locally owned art galleries, bookshops, marketplaces, artisan shops, and so much more. (Photo: Millbrook BIA)
Before the end of summer, enjoy one more stroll through a charming small town while supporting local. There’s no better way to show your love for the Kawarthas than to walk through a downtown with a locally made coffee in hand while browsing and shopping at the many vibrant and unique small businesses.
You really can’t go wrong with spending a day in any of the small towns across the greater Kawarthas region — or developing your own road trip so you can visit a few.
TV junkies might enjoy a walk through the historic village of Millbrook where shows like Reacher, Murdoch Mysteries, Anne with an E, and Wayward were filmed, while those looking for more time in nature might enjoy Main Street in Warkworth, where you’ll find the Millennium Lilac Trail abundant with 300 lilac plantings.
If you’re itching for one final shopping spree, you’ll find something for your needs across the region’s small towns. If you’re an art lover, check out the Colborne Street Gallery in Fenelon Falls, the ECCO Art Gallery Studios in Lakefield, or the Agnes Jamieson Gallery in Minden.
Avid readers will find locally owned bookstores in Haliburton, Bancroft, Port Hope, and beyond, while fashionistas and vintage lovers will enjoy browsing the racks in Bobcaygeon, Cobourg, and Lakefield. Across the small towns, you’ll also find home décor and furniture stores, marketplaces, and other one-of-a-kind boutiques that are owned by the people living in and loving the Kawarthas.
Kawartha Localist is an editorial series from kawarthaNOW celebrating the places, experiences, businesses, and communities that make our region extraordinary. Written by people who live here, work here, and have spent nearly 30 years exploring the Kawarthas and surrounding region, each edition shares trusted local recommendations, hidden gems, and favourite discoveries from across Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Whether you’re looking for your next hiking trail, favourite patio, scenic drive, farmers’ market, or weekend adventure, Kawartha Localist is what we love about where we live.
The 23rd annual Hike Haliburton Festival is returning to the Haliburton Highlands from September 17 to 20, 2026. The award-winning festival features more than 35 guided hikes led by local volunteers, self-guided hikes, paid excursions by local adventure outfitters, and cultural events and activities taking place across Haliburton County. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)
From discovering stunning vistas and landscapes and learning about local history to testing yourself with challenging excursions, there’s much to be discovered during Hike Haliburton.
Canada’s largest free hiking festival is returning to the Haliburton Highlands from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20. The annual festival presents four days of guided hikes, paid excursions, and art and culture experiences just as the fall colours are reaching their peak. Registration for individual hikes is now open at myhaliburtonhighlands.com/hike-haliburton/.
“People really enjoy that they can sign up for something that’s free, and there’s something for every skill level and for a lot of different interests,” says Haliburton County Manager of Tourism Angelica Ingram. “We are continually evolving it so it’s not the same hikes every year. We’re trying to find new things and new experiences. Of course, we have tried and true ones that come back every year, which is great, but otherwise there’s a lot of different variety from year to year.”
One of the most unique aspects of the annual Hike Haliburton festival is that each of the more than 35 guided hikes are led by knowledgeable and passionate local volunteers. The hikes give both visitors and locals the opportunity to learn about the history, topography, and wildlife of the Haliburton Highlands. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)
Share on Bluesky
The Haliburton Highlands is made up of a mix of Canadian Shield landscapes with more than 500 lakes and over 2,000 kilometres of developed trails. Hiking trails take visitors and locals through forests, past lakes and rivers, and through rocky hills.
What makes Hike Haliburton entirely unique from similar festivals is that the guided hikes scheduled throughout the weekend — more than 35 of them — will be led by local volunteers who know and love the land.
“I really do believe it’s the volunteers and the leaders who make a difference,” Ingram says. “They’re passionate about where they’re hiking and what they’re talking about.”
With a mix of Canadian Shield landscapes, the Haliburton Highlands consist of more than 500 lakes and 2,000 kilometres of hiking trails through forests, peaceful lakes, and rocky hills. Many of the guided hikes being held during Hike Haliburton from September 17 to 20, 2026 will take participants to explore hidden gems across the county. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)
Share on Bluesky
With the support of a tourism grant from the Federal Economic Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Hike Haliburton team was able to grow the festival in 2025 by updating its registration system and tying in more regional events and activities.
Earlier this year, Hike Haliburton was named one of the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) for the fourth year in a row, but the expanded programming in 2025 also earned the festival a second award.
The FEO Impact Award is given to a festival with an operating budget of $100,000 or less that embodies the best ideas to advance cultural diversity and inclusion. The 2025 fall edition of Hike Haliburton was recognized for two new hiking events hosted by Coldwater Ojibwe artist, entrepreneur, and healer Jared BigCanoe.
Coldwater Ojibwe artist, entrepreneur, and healer Jared BigCanoe shares Indigenous stories, songs, drumming, and demonstrations during a campfire event held during the 2025 Hike Haliburton festival. The event, along with another hosted by BigCanoe, helped the annual festival earn an Impact Award from Festivals and Events Ontario. BigCanoe will once again be hosting the campfire during the 2026 festival on Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at the Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)
Share on Bluesky
Both events are returning to the Hike Haliburton lineup again this year. On Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at the Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, guests can join BigCanoe, who is also the founder of Big Canoe Indigenous Market, around a cozy campfire as he shares Indigenous stories, song, drumming, and demonstrations.
Visitors can also join BigCanoe and Cameron Ferguson, who has been a part of the Haliburton Forest team for 17 years, on Chessel’s Pond Trail for a forest walk where they’ll discover sacred medicines in the forest and how they’re used for healing. This three-kilometre hike is being held on Saturday, September 19 beginning at 10 a.m.
“There’s such a natural fit between Indigenous history and culture and learning about the land,” Ingram says. “Both events were very well-received last year, and they both filled up really quickly. We got good reviews and people were very happy about it, so we were very happy that we were able to bring them back this year.”
When the award-winning Hike Haliburton festival returns to the Haliburton Highlands from September 17 to 20, 2026, there will be more than 35 guided hikes ranging from family-friendly beginner trails to those that are more challenging. Every year, new hikes are added and led by passionate and knowledgeable local volunteers. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County)
Share on Bluesky
Alongside well-loved favourites, this year’s festival will also introduce some all-new events, like “Wandering Folk: A Gentle Journey of Song, Nature, and Nourishment” being held at Abbey Gardens in Haliburton on Saturday, September 19 at 10:15 a.m. The walk is a twist on an event from last year’s program, with Devin Wilson performing original folk songs along a trail.
“He’s a lovely gentleman and his voice just blends itself to nature very well,” Ingram says. “You’re out in a forest listening to him and you could just stay there for hours. It’s the most perfect quintessential Canadian outdoor music experience you could imagine.”
Prefer something that really puts your outdoor skills to the test? One of the most challenging hikes that’s been on the roster for a long time is the Anson Mountain Amble, being held at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 19. This advanced hike will take you from Devil’s Lake to Anson Mountain for lunch and back. The trail will include beaver dam crossings, the legendary birch tree scramble, views of ponds and the scenic Sheldon Lake, as well as rock barrens, and Anson Mountain, the highest point in the Queen Elizabeth Wildlands Provincial Park.
In addition to joining guided hikes led by local experts, Hike Haliburton, being held from September 17 to 20, 2026, presents an opportunity for visitors and locals to go on self-guided hiking trails and see all there is to discover across the Haliburton Highlands. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton Count
Share on Bluesky
Other guided hikes on the roster will not only get you exploring new scenes around the Haliburton Highlands, but teach you about the region’s history. At the Haliburton Welcome Centre at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 18, Kate Butler, Executive Director of the Haliburton Highlands Museum in Glebe Park, will lead a relaxed two-kilometre stroll diving into the community’s past and sharing information about some of the historical buildings.
Other hikes will have participants learning about life on the farm, survivalist techniques, the flora and fauna of the region, and geocaching in Wilberforce, described as the geocaching capital of Canada. Some of the hikes even including paddling and portaging to get you immersed in the landscape from the perspective of the water.
If you are unable to join one of the free guided hikes or they are full, Ingram encourages adventurers to lead their own self-guided solo or group hike.
“There are so many trails in our area, and so much that people can do at no cost, that they don’t have to do a planned guided hike,” she says.
Hike Haliburton is held every fall, when many other cultural events are taking place across the Haliburton Highlands. The family-friendly ColourFest event on September 19, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Head Lake Park in the Village of Haliburton includes kids’ activities, a pumpkin-rolling contest, a classic car show, a vendor market, and more. (Photo: Municipality of Dysart et al)
Share on Bluesky
After you’ve finished hiking, you can extend your Hike Haliburton weekend by enjoying some local culture. From evenings of live music by local artists to celebrating the 25th anniversary at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, there are many ways to discover the artistic talents of those living across the Haliburton Highlands.
“If you’re coming for a hike or an event, why not stick around and see what else we have going on?” Ingram says. “You can go over to a restaurant and catch some live music or go check out an art exhibit. These are great ways to expand your experience of Hike Haliburton.”
Hike Haliburton also falls on the same weekend at ColourFest, hosted by the Municipality of Dysart et al. The family-friendly festival held at Head Lake Park in Haliburton on Saturday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. features music, scarecrow building contests, a scavenger hunt, face painting, and so many more family-friendly activities.
“It’s a great family festival that happens downtown with activities for kids, and a classic car show and some really cool games like a pumpkin-rolling contest down the main street of Haliburton,” says Ingram.
Nomi Resort Club is one of many accommodations in the Haliburton Highlands available to stay the night and extend your experience throughout the Hike Haliburton festival weekend from September 17 to 20, 2026. (Photo: Nomi Resort Club)
With so much to see and do throughout the weekend, why not turn Hike Haliburton into an overnight stay by booking a night in one of the many accommodations across the region? Whether you want to sleep beneath the stars by booking a backcountry site at Kingscote Access Point or opt for a more elevated experience at the Nomi Resort Club, there’s something suitable no matter the experience you are seeking in the Haliburton Highlands.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the County of Haliburton. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Almonte-based singer-songwriter Jordan Holman, who performs as Kentucky, will be travelling on a Le Boat houseboat to give a series of five free concerts along the Trent-Severn Waterway in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County from September 11 to 17, 2026. (Photo: Kentucky website)
An Ontario singer-songwriter is bringing his music to the Trent-Severn Waterway this month for a week-long houseboat tour featuring five free performances in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
“Music on the Water” will run from Friday, September 11 to Thursday, September 17 and features Kentucky, the musical project of singer-songwriter and producer Jordan Holman, who is based in Almonte in Lanark County.
The tour will open at 5 p.m. on September 11 at the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock at 353 Hunter Street East. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Advertisement - content continues below
Presented by international boating vacation company Le Boat with support from Peterborough Tourism and Peterborough County, the tour is intended to showcase the communities and culture found along the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Along with the opening concert in Peterborough, the tour includes four free public performances in Lakefield, Selwyn Township, and Buckhorn:
Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m. at the Canoe & Paddle Pub (18 Bridge Street, Lakefield)
Monday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Beachwood Resort on Lower Buckhorn Lake (3043 Beachwood Road, Selwyn)
Tuesday, September 15 at 6 p.m. at Tankhouse on Trent (1926 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn)
Thursday, September 17 at 9 a.m. at the Lakefield Farmers’ Market (20 Concession Street, Lakefield)
On Sunday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m., Holman will also give a private performance from Lovesick Island near Burleigh Falls that will be livestreamed on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
VIDEO: “The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life” – Kentucky (Jordan Holman)
Holman describes his sound as “Northern Americana,” blending elements of rock, ambient, pop, and blues with melodic vocals and acoustic and electric guitar.
According to Holman’s biography, he performed with rock bands in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom before launching Kentucky as a solo project after recovering from a years-long struggle with a hardcore drug addiction that nearly took his life in 2020.
His 2025 debut solo album Second Chance Music chronicled that experience and his subsequent transformation, exploring struggle, redemption, and hope.
Advertisement - content continues below
Since launching Kentucky, Holman has performed more than 250 shows across Canada and released a live album, several singles, and a documentary about his first houseboat tour.
That seven-day tour took place in July 2025 along the Rideau Canal, where Holman was accompanied by his family and his dog and performed in Kingston, Seeley’s Bay, Chaffey’s Lock, Westport, Gananoque, and Lansdowne, as well as a secret beach show.
Le Boat has operated houseboat vacations for more than 55 years and maintains a fleet of more than 900 boats across Europe and Canada. The company operates 32 boats on Ontario’s Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway, with its local base at Horseshoe Bay Marina in Peterborough County.
VIDEO: Musical Houseboat Tour of the Rideau Canal – Kentucky (Jordan Holman)
A motorcyclist and his passenger were both seriously injured on Sunday evening (August 30) after colliding with a pickup truck on Northeys Bay Road in North Kawartha Township.
At around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were contacted by emergency medical services who were enroute to a collision on Northeys Bay Road.
Officers arrived on scene to find a pickup truck with front-end damage and a motorcycle lying on the road beside the truck. According to the OPP, the motorcycle appeared to have been travelling eastbound when it failed to negotiate a bend in the road, crossing into the other lane and colliding with the westbound pickup truck.
Advertisement - content continues below
The driver of the motorcycle, a 23-year-old Ottawa man, was treated at the scene and then airlifted to a Toronto-area trauma centre due to the extent of his injuries.
The passenger on the motorcycle, a 22-year-old Peterborough woman, was initially taken to a local hospital before being also being transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre due to the extent of her injuries.
The two occupants of the pickup truck were uninjured, although the airbags in their truck had deployed.
Advertisement - content continues below
Northeys Bay Road remained closed for several hours while first responders dealt with the collision scene and police documented the scene.
The collision is still under investigation, and police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has dashcam or video footage and who has not yet spoken to police, to call the Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
This is the second serious incident this summer involving a motorcycle on Northeys Bay Road. On July 25, a 54-year-old Oshawa man died at the scene after his motorcycle crashed on the road near Fire Route 19.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the entire Kawarthas region for showers and embedded thunderstorms beginning Monday night (August 31).
The special weather statement is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Showers and embedded thunderstorms will begin Monday evening and continue until Tuesday morning.
Advertisement - content continues below
An embedded thunderstorm is a thunderstorm hidden within a larger area of clouds or steady precipitation, making it difficult or impossible to see from the ground or from an aircraft. Embedded thunderstorms can still produce lightning, hail, heavy rain, and strong winds.
Local rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected, possibly exceeding 40 mm, especially for areas that receive thunderstorms. Environment Canada may issue rainfall warnings.
Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. For information concerning flooding, consult your local conservation authority or Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources office. For the latest details, visit www.ontario.ca/page/floods.
"Reacher" star Alan Ritchson in an Instagram reel posted from Minden Whitewater Preserve in the Haliburton Highlands on August 29, 2026, one of the Ontario locations for the fifth season of the popular Amazon Prime Video action-thriller series based on the best-selling books by Lee Child. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Although the final episodes of season four of the popular action-thriller series Reacher are still to be released on Amazon Prime Video, filming is already underway in Ontario for the fifth season — including at a location in the Kawarthas region.
Under the code name “Honcho,” the production company for the show filmed exterior shots at Minden Whitewater Preserve south of Horseshoe Lake in the Haliburton Highlands, along with other nearby locations, during the last week of August.
Actor Alan Ritchson posted an Instagram reel from Minden on Saturday (August 29).
“I’m going in that,” Ritchson said, pointing to the Gull River. “We gotta go in that.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Reacher is based on the best-selling books by British author Lee Child, with Ritchson portraying the titular character Jack Reacher, a brawny yet astute former military policeman who becomes a drifter after leaving the army and uses his expertise and physical strength and combat skills to solve crimes and right wrongs.
The fifth season of the show will be based on 2015’s Make Me, the 20th book in the series. When Reacher steps off a train in a remote Midwestern town called Mother’s Rest, he finds himself entangled in a missing person case alongside a former FBI agent turned private investigator. As the duo investigates, they unravel a deeply disturbing, dark web conspiracy that forces Reacher to confront a deadly and unprecedented nightmare.
Canadian actors Amanda Ip and Jay Baruchel will also star in the season, with Ip portraying private investigator Michelle Chang and Baruchel playing local police chief Buck Bauer.
Advertisement - content continues below
As for the Minden location, the film crew began filming there at the end of July and returned again at the end of August, after the show finished shooting at Oshawa’s Kingsway Motel, which was transformed into the fictional Horseshoe Motel. While filming in Oshawa, Ritchson took a break to greet a large crowd of fans.
This isn’t the first time Reacher has filmed in the Kawarthas. In 2024, scenes from the third season were filmed in downtown Millbrook, which was transformed into a small town in Maine. In another local connection, Peterborough actor Wyatt Lamoureux appeared in a non-speaking role in the first season of the series in 2022.
The fifth season of Reacher is expected to be released in late 2027 or early 2028,
In October 2026, Angela McDonald's Sweet Fern Floral Studio will move from its current location at 387 Water Street in downtown Peterborough to a larger space at 208 Charlotte Street, where her parents once operated a flower shop for 22 years. (Photo: Sweet Fern Floral Studio)
businessNOW is back!
I have always believed that strong local businesses are the foundation of strong communities. As publisher of kawarthaNOW, I see important business news happening every day across our region, but it is often scattered across social media, newsletters, websites, and other channels. Stories about new businesses, expansions, investments, leadership changes, awards, and events can be easy to miss.
That’s why I’m pleased to bring back businessNOW, a column we originally published from 2017 to 2021. Every second Monday, businessNOW will bring together important business news and events from Peterborough, Kawarthas Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Hastings Highlands. We’ve also introduced “People on the Move,” recognizing career and leadership milestones. Sometimes I’ll share a “Publisher’s Pick,” which is a stand-out item that I believe deserve your special attention.
For 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of watching our regional business community grow and evolve. I hope businessNOW will help business owners, professionals, organizations, and community leaders stay informed, connected, and inspired to support our regional economy.
Thank you for reading. Please send your business announcements, milestones, and story ideas directly to me at business@kawarthanow.com.
Sweet Fern Floral Studio returning to its roots at 208 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough
Sweet Fern Floral Studio owner and lead designer Angela McDonald opened her Water Street flower shop in 2024 after previously running the business from her home for years before. Two years later, she will be moving to a larger space at 208 Charlotte Street in October, where her once parents operated a flower shop for 22 years. (Photos: Sweet Fern Floral Studio)
I’ll admit my bias right from the beginning: I am a big fan of Sweet Fern Floral Studio. From its beautiful and creative floral designs to the warmth and care shown to customers, Sweet Fern is a wonderful example of what a creative, customer-focused, independent local business brings to our downtown. I was genuinely delighted to learn that owner and lead designer Angela “Ang” McDonald is preparing to grow the business again.
Sweet Fern will move from its current studio at 387 Water Street to a larger space at 208 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough in October. While the move will give Ang and her team the additional room they have needed for some time, it is also a deeply personal homecoming.
When Ang was six years old, her parents purchased a flower shop at 208 Charlotte Street. They operated it for 22 years, building it into one of Peterborough’s most successful flower shops. Ang spent much of her childhood there, learning the floral business, meeting customers, and watching her mother and staff create lasting connections while caring for people during some of the most important moments in their lives.
Ang carried those lessons into Sweet Fern. What began with Ang and her mother creating planters during the pandemic grew into a full-time home-based business. She opened Sweet Fern’s Water Street retail studio in 2024, offering pre-made and custom floral arrangements, bouquets, wedding and event florals, subscriptions, home décor, locally made art, and gifts. The studio uses locally grown flowers whenever possible and offers in-store shopping, pickup, and local delivery.
For Ang, flowers have always been about much more than what goes into a vase. They are about connection — celebrating someone, offering comfort, expressing gratitude, or reminding someone they matter. That philosophy is evident in everything Sweet Fern does and is one of the reasons I have become such a fan of the business.
Seeing Sweet Fern return to the very place where Ang’s story with flowers began feels wonderfully full circle. It is also exactly the kind of local business growth I love to see in downtown Peterborough: an independent entrepreneur building on deep community roots while creating something distinctly her own. I can’t wait to see Ang and the Sweet Fern team blooming in their new Charlotte Street home this October.
Peterborough’s Brant Basics enters a new chapter under Office Central
Now owned by Office Central, Brant Basics held a grand opening celebration of its new location at 701 The Queensway in Peterborough on August 13, 2026. Mayor Jeff Leal and city councillors Lesley Parnell and Kevin Duguay attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo: Brant Basics)
Brant Basics has moved from its longtime downtown Peterborough location to 701 The Queensway, but new owner Office Central is keeping the familiar local name.
Office Central acquired Brant Basics from the Cox family on June 30, 2023. The Richmond Hill-based company is owned by Trevor Katz and his two brothers and, like Brant Basics, has deep roots as a Canadian family business.
“We thought it was really important to maintain the presence within Peterborough and maintain the name of Brant Basics because it’s a well-known name in that city,” Katz told kawarthaNOW. “Why change it?”
Katz said keeping the business Canadian was also important.
“We didn’t want Brant Basics to be sold to a U.S. company,” he said.
The move to The Queensway gives the company a smaller, brighter, one-floor location with free parking. Katz said all local staff remain in place, including sales, delivery, purchasing, logistics, and retail employees.
Brant Basics has also expanded its product mix to include more education, arts and crafts, toys and higher-end stationery, with brands including Crayola and LEGO.
The company’s website has been expanded as well, with Katz estimating customers can now access around half a million products.
For Katz, the fit between the two companies goes beyond products.
“At the end of the day, the philosophies are the same,” he said. “We’re a family business. They were a family business.”
The Little Frozen Yogurt Company in Douro-Dummer expands with The Little Mini Golf Co.
Owned by Sean Harris and A.J. Sainsbury, The Little Mini Golf Co. celebrated its grand opening at 17 Indacom Drive in Douro-Dummer on August 6, 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Community Futures Peterborough executive director Devon Girard, Peterborough MP Emma Harrison, Douro-Dummer mayor Heather Watson, and Selwyn deputy mayor Ron Black. (Photo: Atticus Sikma / Peterborough County)
The Little Mini Golf Co. celebrated its grand opening on August 6 at 17 Indacom Drive in Douro-Dummer. The new 18-hole miniature golf course is inspired by the history, landmarks, and natural beauty of Peterborough and the Kawarthas, with features recognizing local icons including the Peterborough Lift Lock and the historic 1885 Douro dynamite explosion.
Owned by Sean Harris and A.J. Sainsbury, the attraction is the newest addition to The Little Frozen Yogurt Company and was created as an outdoor destination for local families and visitors.
The opening ceremony included remarks from Harris, Peterborough MP Emma Harrison, Selwyn deputy mayor Ron Black, Douro-Dummer mayor Heather Watson, and Community Futures Peterborough executive director Devon Girard, followed by a ribbon cutting and complimentary rounds of mini golf.
For more information about the Little Mini Golf Co., visit minigolfco.ca.
Oogeema Ganoo (Mitchel Jerome) opens Indigenous mini-market in downtown Peterborough
Indigenous artist and entrepreneur Mitchel Jerome has opened Oogeema Ganoo, an Indigenous mini-market and custom clothing shop at 410 Chambers Street in downtown Peterborough. The store features Jerome’s Oogeema Ganoo clothing brand and provides space for Indigenous artists to showcase and sell their work. (Photo: Mitchel Jerome)
Indigenous artist and entrepreneur Mitchel Jerome has opened Oogeema Ganoo, an Indigenous mini-market and custom clothing shop at 410 Chambers Street in downtown Peterborough.
Oogeema Ganoo is Jerome’s Indigenous name, which means Chief Golden Eagle.
The store features Jerome’s Oogeema Ganoo clothing brand and provides space for Indigenous artists to showcase and sell their work.
Plans for the storefront also include arts and crafts workshops. Store hours and updates are available on the Oogeema Ganoo Facebook page at facebook.com/OogeemaGanoo/
The Neighbourhood Vintage moves into Watson & Lou and Take Cover Books moves into The Neighbourhood Vintage
The Neighbourhood Vintage will officially move into Watson & Lou at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough on Tuesday, September 1.
The collaboration brings together Jacquelyn Craft’s curated collection of vintage clothing and accessories with the locally made art, handcrafted goods, ceramics, stationery, jewellery, and gifts offered by Katie Küntz’s Watson & Lou.
The two owners share a commitment to supporting local creativity, sustainable shopping, and community-building.
The businesses will celebrate the collaboration during September First Friday on September 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Visitors can explore the expanded shop, meet the owners, and browse the latest collections. Follow @watsonandlou and @theneighbourhoodvintage on social media for updates.
Meanwhile, the final day of Take Cover Books at its East City location at 59 Hunter Street East was Sunday, August 30. The bookstore, owned by brothers Sean and Andrew Fitzpatrick, is moving into The Neighbourhood Vintage’s former space at 391 Water Street, where it will reopen on Friday, September 4. For more information, visit takecoverbooks.ca.
Advertisement - content continues below
Eldorado Music Bar and Social Pub opening in former Jethro’s Bar + Stage location in downtown Peterborough
The stage at Eldorado Music Bar and Social Pub, which will soon be opening at 137 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough in the space formerly occupied by Jethro’s Bar + Stage, which closed in April 2026 almost four years after it was opened by musician Kayla Howran. (Photo: Eldorado Music Bar and Social Pub)
Eldorado Music Bar and Social Pub will soon be opening at 137 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough, in the space formerly occupied by Jethro’s Bar + Stage.
Like its predecessor, the new venue aims to provide a stage for local and visiting musicians while offering a welcoming place for people to gather. Along with live music, Eldorado plans to host pub quizzes, sports screenings, seasonal celebrations, and other special events.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, the pub will offer premium Canadian beer on tap, craft beer, cocktails, cold beverages, and bar snacks.
Two Tails Bakery launches homemade pet treats in Peterborough
Peterborough entrepreneur Nicole Grady’s Two Tails Bakery is a home-based business producing small-batch dog and cat treats using simple, wholesome ingredients. (Graphic: Two Tails Bakery)
Peterborough entrepreneur Nicole Grady officially launched Two Tails Bakery in July. The home-based business produces small-batch dog and cat treats using simple, wholesome ingredients.
Its introductory collection includes peanut butter-flavoured Two Tails Signature Biscuits, Cheddar Crunchies for smaller dogs and training, 100 per cent sweet potato chews, and Salmon Nibblers for cats.
Grady’s dog Toby and Milo the cat serve as the bakery’s official “quality-control department.”
Grady plans to introduce Two Tails Bakery at local events while growing the business’s online presence throughout the Peterborough area. Products and more information are available through the Two Tails Bakery online store at twotailsbakery.myshopify.com and on Instagram at @twotailsbakeryptbo.
Shoreline Furniture Co. celebrates 10 years in Apsley
Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark (left) and North Kawartha mayor Carolyn Amyotte (right) presented certificates to Shoreline Furniture Co. owner Jessica Tucker recognizing the 10th anniversary of her Apsley-based business. (Photo: Shoreline Furniture Co.)
One of the businesses that always catches my attention when I drive into Apsley is Shoreline Furniture Co.
Located beside Tucker’s Marine, the store has a prominent “Shop Local” theme sign outside — a welcome reminder of the importance of supporting the independent businesses that help cottage-country communities thrive.
This year, Shoreline Furniture Co. celebrated 10 years in business. Owner Jessica Tucker was recognized for the milestone with certificates presented by North Kawartha mayor Carolyn Amyotte and Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark.
Tucker has built Shoreline Furniture Co. into a destination for residents, seasonal residents, and visitors looking for furniture, unique décor, artwork, home accents, kitchenware, and thoughtful gifts. The store’s carefully selected products help customers bring a little cottage-country style into their homes.
When I spoke with Tucker, she credited North Kawartha’s seasonal residents for making a point of shopping locally and supporting area businesses. Their loyalty has helped Shoreline Furniture Co. grow and succeed over the past decade.
As a retailer who relies on a seasonal economy, has survived the pandemic, and has raised her young family while growing a business, Tucker’s emphasis on supporting local cannot be overlooked.
“We all need to emphasize the importance of supporting local,” Tucker says. “It’s important to keep our local businesses open for the community.”
Congratulations to Tucker and her team on 10 years in business, and for continuing to remind everyone who drives by that shopping locally makes a real difference.
Bennett’s Furniture and Mattress celebrates 100 years in business with locations in Campbellford, Peterborough, and Kingston
Celebrating 100 years in business in 2026, Bennett’s Furniture and Mattress has locations in Campbellford, Peterborough, and Kingston. (Photos: Bennett’s Furniture and Mattress)
Bennett’s Furniture and Mattress celebrated its centennial with community recognition ceremonies at its Peterborough and Campbellford locations on August 11 and 12.
Founded as a single-family business in Campbellford in 1926, Bennett’s has since grown into a trusted regional retailer serving communities across eastern Ontario, with the Peterborough store opening in 1999 and the Kingston location in 2019.
The anniversary celebrations brought together elected officials, community leaders, charitable organizations, business partners, customers, and friends to recognize the company’s 100 years of service, community involvement, and lasting local relationships.
For more information on Bennett’s Furniture and Mattress, visit www.bennetts.ca.
Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio celebrates 15 years in downtown Peterborough
Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio owner Shannon Gray celebrated 15 years in downtown Peterborough on August 20, 2026 with a celebration attended by elected officials, community leaders, and representatives of Peterborough’s business community. (Photo: Office of MPP Dave Smith / Facebook)
Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio celebrated 15 years in business on August 20, marking a milestone for the locally owned downtown Peterborough business founded by Shannon Gray.
Sugar Me Right! opened as Peterborough’s first dedicated sugaring spa at a time when professional body sugaring was relatively unfamiliar in the local market. Since then, the award-winning studio has welcomed more than 5,000 clients, trained beauty professionals, and helped establish sugaring as a growing part of Peterborough’s beauty industry.
The anniversary celebration brought together elected officials, community leaders, and representatives of Peterborough’s business community. Mayor Jeff Leal presented Gray with an official 15th anniversary certificate recognizing the studio’s contribution to downtown Peterborough.
For more information on Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio, visit sugarmeright.ca.
Six student entrepreneurs graduate from Community Futures Peterborough’s Summer Company program
Rutger Huntley, Aiden Budd, Zander Bromley, Caleb Galbraith, and Rielle MacDougall are five of the six Peterborough-area student entreprenuers who graduated from the provincially funded Summer Company program, administered locally by Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre. Not pictured is Emma George-Peters. The young entrepreneurs participated in a graduation ceremony at Venture North in downtown Peterborough on August 26, 2026 along with a tradeshow showcasing the businesses they launched and operated throughout the summer. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Six Peterborough-area students graduated from the provincially funded Summer Company program during an August 26 ceremony and tradeshow hosted by Community Futures Peterborough’s Business Advisory Centre at Venture North in downtown Peterborough.
The graduates were Aiden Budd of Dock to Driveway Detailing in Peterborough, Zander Bromley of Clearview in Peterborough, Caleb Galbraith of Joy Collectibles 3D in Lakefield, Emma George-Peters of Kawartha Luxe Cottage Care in Peterborough, Rutger Huntley of Peak Beach Volleyball in Millbrook, Rielle MacDougall of Lake Safe Swim Lessons in Peterborough.
Each student received business training, mentorship, and up to $3,000 in funding to launch and operate a business over the summer. All six expressed an interest in continuing their entrepreneurial journeys.
Advertisement - content continues below
People on the Move
Jason Seguya appointed CEO of United Way Peterborough & District
Jason Seguya began his role as the new chief executive officer of United Way Peterborough and District on July 6, 2026, taking over leadership of the non-profit organization after previous CEO Jim Russell retired after almost 15 years. (Photo courtesy of United Way Peterborough and District)
Jason Seguya has been appointed chief executive officer of United Way Peterborough & District. He began the role on July 6, succeeding Jim Russell, who retired after leading the organization for almost 15 years.
Seguya brings experience in non-profit leadership, governance, human resources, communications, and community engagement. He previously served as executive director of The Fulcrum Publishing Society and Ontario Student Voices and as director of human resources for the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce.
Briar Sutherland promoted at Art Gallery of Peterborough
Briar Sutherland. (Photo: Art Gallery of Peterborough)
Briar Sutherland has been promoted to Curatorial Coordinator – Public Gallery and Contemporary Collections at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP). She previously served as the gallery’s communications and volunteer coordinator.
Sutherland has worked with the AGP for more than 13 years, contributing to exhibition installation, collections management, visitor services, communications, operations, and volunteer coordination. She holds an honours degree in art history with a fine art studio minor from York University and a postgraduate certificate in museum management and curatorship from Fleming College. Read the full AGP announcement.
Ryan Barnett appointed creative director of ReFrame Film Festival
Ryan Barnett is the new creative director of the ReFrame Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame Film Festival)
Ryan Barnett has been appointed creative director of Peterborough’s ReFrame Film Festival following a three-month national search.
He succeeds Eryn Lidster, who stepped down after three years in the role.
Barnett is an interdisciplinary curator, producer, writer, and documentary storyteller with experience in public programming and cultural engagement. He is the founder of Knockabout Media, which produces podcasts, books, and other non-fiction projects about Canadian culture and history. Barnett holds a master’s degree in film studies from Concordia University’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.
Kelly Jessup promoted at Trent University
Kelly Jessup. (Photo: LinkedIn)
Kelly Jessup has been promoted to assistant director of recruitment marketing and communications at Trent University. She previously served as the university’s manager of recruitment communications and marketing.
Before joining Trent, Jessup spent almost 15 years promoting Peterborough and the Kawarthas to visitors, businesses, and investors through Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. Her experience includes destination marketing, strategic communications, place branding, partnership development, and community engagement. View Jessup’s profile on LinkedIn.
Rizzan Delos Santos becomes interim executive director of Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce
The board of directors of the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce announced on August 27 that Rizzan Delos Santos has been appointed interim executive director of the organization. A digital entrepreneur, she is a former secretary of the board and the current president of the Lindsay Rotary Club.
Santos takes over the role from Terry Guiel, who has served as the Chamber’s executive director for almost three years. The board’s statement does not mention Guiel or the reason for his departure. Guiel began in the role in November 2023 just weeks after resigning as executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
Advertisement - content continues below
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Rural Ontario Development Business Stream Webinar
Host: Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs
Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
An information session for small rural Ontario businesses interested in the Rural Ontario Development Business Stream.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – September TBX with the Rotary Club of Peterborough
Host: Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Riverview Park & Zoo, Peterborough
Cost: Free
The September edition of TBX – The Business Exchange brings together business owners, professionals and community leaders for informal networking and an introduction to the host organization.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – September Chamber AM with Senior Helpers and Nepal Hills Tea
Host: Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce
Time: 8 to 9 a.m.
Location: Senior Helpers of Peterborough, 72-320 Water Street, Peterborough
Cost: Free
Chamber AM is the Chamber’s recurring morning networking series, giving local businesspeople an opportunity to make connections, learn about the host businesses and network before the workday.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – City Express by Marriott Port Hope Grand Opening
Host: City Express by Marriott Port Hope and the Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
Location: 2211 County Road 28, Port Hope
Cost: Free
The event celebrates the opening of Canada’s first City Express by Marriott Hotel. It will include a ribbon cutting, refreshments, hotel tours and opportunities to meet members of the local team and Marriott representatives.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – AI Foundations for Safe, Productive Use Webinar
Host: Workforce Development Board with Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce and Muskoka-Kawartha Employment Services
Time: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
This webinar introduce core AI concepts, such as generative AI and large language models, while highlighting practical, low-risk use cases that organizations can adopt right away. Participants will learn how to apply AI safely to at least two everyday workflows, such as meeting summaries, email drafting, or document briefings using non-sensitive content.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 – “Thinking of Starting your own Business?” County Tour – Trent Lakes
Host: Community Futures Peterborough with Peterborough County
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Location: Municipality of Trent Lakes Municipal Office (760 County Road 36, Bobcaygeon)
Cost: Free
Community Futures Peterborough is coming to Peterborough County municipalities this fall to get to know the entrepreneurs in the county. Learn what steps to consider when thinking of starting a business, followed by open house style networking. Representatives from Community Futures Peterborough and Peterborough County Economic Development will also be on hand to answer questions and discuss local business support programs and opportunities.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 – United Way 2026 Community Campaign Launch
Host: United Way Peterborough & District
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
Location: Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough
Cost: $30
Presented by Miskin Law, the official launch of United Way Peterborough & District’s 2026-27 Community Campaign will bring community and business leaders together for lunch, an opportunity to connect with fellow Certified Neighbours and the reveal of the campaign’s fundraising goal. The launch is part of United Way’s 85th anniversary year.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Business Plan Forecasting with Scotiabank
Host: Kawartha Lakes Small Business Centre and Launch Kawartha
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Launch Kawartha, 165 Kent Street West, Suite 302, Lindsay
Cost: Free
Join Scotiabank for a workshop designed to demystify the financial forecasting process and help entrepreneurs build confidence in their numbers. Scotiabank experts will walk participants through the key components of a strong business plan, with a special focus on developing practical, accurate financial forecasts. You’ll learn how to estimate revenues and expenses, understand cash flow, identify key financial assumptions, and create projections that support your business goals.
Monday, September 21, 2026 – Small Business Energy Efficiency Demonstration with GreenUP
Host: Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce
Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Location: Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, 175 George Street North, Peterborough
Cost: Free
Learn how to identify energy inefficiencies and uncover cost-saving opportunities in your building in this hands-on walk-through from GreenUP Energy Advisor Clara Blakelock.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – ONWARD: Women & Money – Economic Security in Uncertain Times
Host: ONWARD and Maryam Monsef with Kawartha Financial Services, Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, kawarthaNOW, BDC, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Baker Tilly
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, 140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough
Cost: $45.14
Focusing on economic security in uncertain times, this four-hour event will explore financial challenges affecting women, including the pay gap, the motherhood penalty, access to care including child care, and access to capital for business startups and expansion.
Having just wrapped up his second season as Patrick Hickey in 4th Line Theatre's "Wild Irish Geese" at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook, Darragh O'Connell is a rising star in Peterborough's art scene. The 14-year-old actor has been in about 15 local productions and has starred in commercials for national brands like Staples Canada and AAA Auto Insurance. Now working with a Toronto talent agency, O'Connell is eager to take on more acting gigs ranging from local theatre to on-screen performances. (Photo courtesy of Darragh O'Connell)
If you think it went unnoticed that you were sobbing into your palms during 4th Line Theatre’s staging of Megan Murphy’s Wild Irish Geese this summer, you are sadly mistaken.
Young actor Darragh O’Connell, who appeared as Patrick Hickey in this year’s remount as well as last year’s world premiere, played a game with himself during the play’s 21-show run, which wrapped up Saturday night (August 29) at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook.
He counted just how many audience members were wiping away their tears during the play, which tells the story of the hardships faced by Irish families who left their homeland to settle in the Peterborough area during the Peter Robinson emigration of 1825.
Advertisement - content continues below
That, O’Connell says, helped him understand the impact he and the rest of the cast and crew were having on their audience.
“As much as it’s a bit scary and it can cause adrenaline to go in front of the audience, once we’ve taken the audience’s hand and said ‘Come with us for this journey,’ it’s so fulfilling to see how impactful we are on this group of people, some who might not have ever watched theatre before or were just forced to come there with their family,” he explains.
“There’s such a range of people that come to this show, but we get to give them that same performance. I just think that’s something really special about what I get to do.”
The Peterborough Theatre Guild’s 2022 production of “The Little Prince” was actor Darragh O’Connell’s first time taking to the stage. Ten years old at the time, he recalls knowing immediately that he wanted to continue acting and has since gone on to be involved with around 15 other local theatre productions as well as stared in some national commercials. (Photo courtesy of Darragh O’Connell)
It’s a good thing the 14-year-old actor is fuelled by the audience before him, because he has no intention of getting off the stage anytime soon.
Now partnered with a Toronto talent agency, O’Connell has his sights set on landing more and more acting gigs, whether it be more stage work, commercials, television shows, or whatever else comes his way.
“Everything is the dream,” he says. “If I get to act, getting paid for it is just an extra bonus at my age. That’s the dream — everything.”
Advertisement - content continues below
From a very young age while growing up in Toronto, O’Connell was told by everyone around him — family members, camp counsellors, babysitters — that he was funny and should be an actor. But it wasn’t until O’Connell’s family moved to Peterborough and he began taking improv classes with Linda Kash that he began to develop his own real passion for it.
When he stepped in front of an audience for his first time in the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of The Little Prince in 2022, there was no looking back.
“That was big — it showed me this is actually fun and I do want to do this,” he says about the improv classes. “The Little Prince just made me know for certain that this is what I wanted to do. I didn’t know at all how I was going to do it, but I knew that this was too fun to pass down.”
Darragh O’Connell with Peterborough-based actor Linda Kash, best known as the Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel as well as for her roles in Seinfeld, Waiting for Guffman, Fargo, and many more. After being told from a young age that he was funny and would make a good actor, O’Connell began taking improv classes with Kash through her Proactive School of Performing Arts (PAPA). Since then, he has continued to hone his craft by training with her and with other performing arts schools located in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Darragh O’Connell)
O’Connell was only 10 years old when rehearsals for The Little Prince began, but says he remembers the energy he would get just from being surrounded by other creatives.
“I got to meet new people who were both my age and older. The directors were great and they would push me to work harder and harder and just see what I could do. I remember stepping out on stage, nervous — I was terrified because it was a 200-something seat theatre. When I walked out there, any feeling of dread just left my body. I felt so happy when I took the stage for the first time, which was able to reassure me this is what I want to do.”
While O’Connell guesses he’s been in around 15 or so productions locally, including having worked with 4th Line Theatre since 2023, he says he still gets a bit nervous before taking to the stage each time, and yet it pushes him even more.
“I love the feeling of being nervous before a show,” he says. “It has slowly declined as I get more accustomed to being in front of an audience, but having that little bit of adrenaline before going on makes it so much more fun and the stakes are higher. It’s much easier to act with high stakes because it just keeps you going. You feed off the adrenaline.”
Advertisement - content continues below
One of the things O’Connell prioritizes when stepping into a new character is “finding what makes this character’s performance special and impactful on the audience.” He says he does this by studying the script carefully while also connecting with the rest of the cast.
“At 4th Line, we do a lot of beat work, where you break down a scene beat by beat to fully understand and then make decisions on what is happening in those individual parts of the scene,” he says.
“Assistant drector Mandy (Roveda) helped us so much with diving deeper into our characters,” O’Connell says of Wild Irish Geese. “She would always come up to us after a scene and ask us things we hadn’t thought about before. That’s why I think, and as we’ve heard from so many audience members, that the show this year is so much deeper. It’s because we went so much more into depth of their characters than we did last year when we were doing it for the first time.”
VIDEO: Darragh O’Connell in “Back to School 2026” for Staples Canada
Though O’Connell wants to keep doing local community theatre, he’s been spending more time auditioning for other things as well now that he has an agent.
He’s done commercials for Staples Canada, Ontario Power Generation, and AAA Auto Insurance, has gotten a callback for an Ed Mirvish Theatre production, and was shortlisted to star in a TV show shot in Dublin.
“I can’t even describe the feeling that you get while being on set — it’s so different than being on stage or being at rehearsal,” he says.
He adds that he loves auditions where he gets to be creative, like when he had to choreograph a two-minute dance to the song “I was Made for Loving You.”
“The auditions where you get to be creative and then do your own choreography, your own dance, or your own improvised scene, those are really, really fun auditions,” O’Connell says. “I love doing the creative ones where I get to really make mostly my own decisions.”
Advertisement - content continues below
While so many auditions — before his summer performances at 4th Line Theatre, he was doing 12 to 14 per week, he says — would burn out anyone, it’s clear O’Connell keeps himself grounded by remaining positive and focusing on his love of the job.
“It’s all about the mindset, he says. “If I have the mindset of ‘I’m going to book this audition every single time,’ that will definitely make you want to quit because you’re not going to book every one.”
“So much is out of my control. I might be too tall, too short, my eye colour might be wrong, my hair isn’t this (or that). There are so many factors that come into play that is away from talent that you can’t have the mindset of being disappointed. It’s okay to be disappointed if you don’t book a job, but if you really let it get to you, you won’t be able to sustain yourself.”
Peterborough actor Darragh O’Connell on the set of a AAA Auto Insurance commercial. Prior to his summer at 4th Line Theatre, the 14-year-old emerging actor was doing anywhere from 12 to 14 auditions per week for commercials, theatre, and television shows. (Photo courtesy of Darragh O’Connell)
As O’Connell goes in search of his next gig, he remains grateful for Peterborough for helping him get to where he is today. While Toronto should have more opportunities, he finds it can be more competitive or cost more to be an emerging actor in the big city.
“What’s amazing about Peterborough is it’s still competitive, it’s still hard work, but there’s so much more opportunity to be a local performer, which then opens up the horizons, and, of course, helped me get the agent in Toronto and then got me working in the industry,” he says.
“I would not be where I am now if it weren’t for the move to Peterborough.”
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
