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A vroom with a view in pretty downtown Millbrook

See more than 200 classic vehicles on display when the popular Millbrook Classic Car Show returns to downtown Millbrook on Saturday, July 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you’re searching for a vroom with a view this summer, it’s closer than you think.

The annual Millbrook Classic Car Show returns to the village Saturday, July 8th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., co-presented by the Millbrook and District Lions Club and the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA) with support from Cavan Monaghan Township.

According to Lion and longtime show co-organizer Andy Stevenson, more than 200 classic vehicles — all at least 25 years old — will line King Street, as well as spill over onto intersecting streets and into the nearby arena parking lot.

The Millbrook Classic Car Show mainly features classic cars from North America, although there are some British models as well. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stevenson)
The Millbrook Classic Car Show mainly features classic cars from North America, although there are some British models as well. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stevenson)

And as The Beach Boys sang, if she has her daddy’s car, she might even cruise to the hamburger stand.

“It’s been going on for about 20 years and it’s slowly got bigger and bigger,” says Andy, who himself owns two classic British automobiles — a 1961 Triumph TR3 and an 1965 MGB.

“It’s a big day for all the local merchants. The guys arrive early and many bring their other halves. “While the guys are yakking about engines and stuff, the other halves are saying, ‘OK, this is nice but…’ The stores are all open and they do a good business.”

Organizer Andy Stevenson jokes that, while the men are gathered around the cars talking about engine specs, the women sneak off for some shopping in downtown Millbrook. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stevenson)
Organizer Andy Stevenson jokes that, while the men are gathered around the cars talking about engine specs, the women sneak off for some shopping in downtown Millbrook. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stevenson)

While this is billed as the 12th annual show, its roots go back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the Lions held a show on Medd’s Mountain. However, that location was eventually abandoned due the soft ground producing problems.

Come 2006, the show found a new home on King Street in beautiful downtown Millbrook, sponsored by the Millbrook and District Chamber of Commerce with help from the Lions. The following year saw the Millbrook BIA present the show, again with the Lions’ assistance. Since 2008, the Lions have been involved full bore.

Normally held the first Saturday in July, with that being Canada Day this year, organizers decided to hold the show a week later when stores are open.

The Millbrook Classic Car Show is also a big day for local merchants, with shops and restaurants open in downtown Millbrook to serve the crowds.
The Millbrook Classic Car Show is also a big day for local merchants, with shops and restaurants open in downtown Millbrook to serve the crowds.

The show has an enduring appears, both for classic car owners and visitors, explains Lion Linda Hughes who, along with her husband Bill (the newly elected Lions president) is one of the show’s organizers.

“It’s the nostalgia of it all,” Linda says.

“For the younger generation, it’s to be able to look back and see what cars used to be like. For the older generation, it’s to reminisce. ‘Hey, I used to ride in one of those when I was a kid’ or ‘If we had hung onto the Javelin we had when we got married, it would be very popular today.'”

The classic cars in the Millbrook show come from across the Kawarthas, as well as communities such as Bowmanville, Cobourg, Port Hope, and even Kingston. (Photo courtesy of Linda Hughes)
The classic cars in the Millbrook show come from across the Kawarthas, as well as communities such as Bowmanville, Cobourg, Port Hope, and even Kingston. (Photo courtesy of Linda Hughes)

“They’re just neat old cars,” Andy adds, noting classic cars come from across the Kawarthas as well as lakeshore communities such as Bowmanville, Cobourg, Port Hope, and as far away as Kingston.

“They’re all restored within an inch of their lives and there isn’t a speck of dust on them. There are generally two different classic car groups: British cars and North American cars. It’s mainly North American cars in this show, but there are some British models as well.”

Linda says awards will be presented to the top 10 cars as voted on by show attendees. As well, businesses that “go above and beyond” in their support will also be recognized.

And if you arrive hungry, you’re covered. Note only are all the local fooderies open (Pastry Peddler, Madison’s Place, Jule’s Kitchen, Subway, and Bewdley Pizza), but the Millbrook and District Lions food trailer will be on site, while the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will be serving breakfast.

Linda adds a DJ will fill the summer air with music, and prizes will be available to win.

Now, fingers are crossed — toes too — for good weather. While the show will still go ahead in the event of rain, Linda says classic car owners are generally reluctant to bring their classic rides out in wet weather.

For more information and updates on the Millbrook Classic Car Show, visit the Facebook event page.


Photos from previous Millbrook Classic Car Shows

All photos courtesy of Millbrook BIA and downtown Millbrook merchants except where noted.

View or download this map of all the Canada 150 events in Peterborough

The Canada 150 event map, showing all the celebrations in Peterborough, is available online and in printed form. (Map: Peterborough 150)

There’s so much going on during Canada 150 celebrations in Peterborough from June 29th to July 2nd, a map showing everything going on in one place would be handy.

And that’s what the Peterborough 150 committee has done, with this map showing all the events, times, and locations over the four days of celebrations.

If you’re on the go at the celebrations, you can:

Peer Christensen of Christensen Fine Art, one of nine locations in downtown Peterborough where you can pick up a print version of the Canada 150 event map. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)
Peer Christensen of Christensen Fine Art, one of nine locations in downtown Peterborough where you can pick up a print version of the Canada 150 event map. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

If you prefer to carry around a printed copy of the Canada 150 event map, you can find it at one of the following nine downtown Peterborough businesses:

  • Brant Basics (296 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-748-2291)
  • Christensen Fine Art (432 George St N., Peterborough, 705-876-9623)
  • Hunter Street Books (164 Hunter St. W. #3, Peterborough 705-400-8229)
  • Peterborough Inn & Suites Hotel (312 George St. N., 705-876-6665)
  • Sam’s Place (88 Hunter St. W., Peterborough 705-876-1900)
  • Tribal Voices (179 Charlotte St., Peterborough 705-876-7714)
  • The Turnbull Cafe (170 Simcoe St., Peterborough, 705-775-2233)
  • Under One Sun (386 George St N., Peterborough 705-868-2339)
  • Wild Rock (167 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-745-9133)

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Peterborough kicks off Canada 150 with Downtown Pop-Up on June 29

The streets of downtown Peterborough will be crowded on Thursday, June 29 with "Downtown Pop-Up", the first of four days of Canada 150 celebrations in Peterborough. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

Canada 150 celebrations begin in earnest in downtown Peterborough on Thursday, June 29th with “Downtown Pop Up” — a full day of music, performances, and other family activities organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).

The celebrations kick off in the morning at Millennium Park with two events to celebrate the contributions of indigenous peoples to the formation of Canada — and to recognize Peterborough is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe (Ojibway), originally named and known as Nogojiwanong.

The Gathering of Youth for Nogojiwanong is a family-oriented event running from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

It features performances by indigenous artists including DNA (the Dedicated Native Awareness Drum Group), The Red Path Singers, singer-songwriter Taylor Merrick, the M’shkaaziwing Singers and Curve Lake Youth Dancers, storyteller Chad Solomon, hoop dancer Beany John, and more.

Local indigenous vocal ensemble Unity will be performing with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra String Quartet and indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby.
Local indigenous vocal ensemble Unity will be performing with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra String Quartet and indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby.

From 12 p.m. until 2 p.m., there will be a Canada 150 Kick‐Off Ribbon Cutting & Picnic in Millennium Park with swing, jazz, funk, and rock ‘m’ roll band Knightshift.

At 1 p.m., Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and Public Energy will present “Between the Water and the Sky”, a live performance featuring the PSO String Quartet, Unity, and Jade Willoughby. The performance features The Medicine Song and Ghost Dancer by local indigenous vocal ensemble Unity, with an embodied movement response to sound by indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby. The performance will be repeated at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. in front of Peterborough City Hall.

The celebrations then move to the streets of downtown Peterborough with live music at different venues from 1 to 11 p.m. Here’s the schedule of who’s performing and when and where:

Performer(s) Time Location
Celtic Harp Trio (Tanah Haney)  1 – 3 pm Simply Delicious Bistro & Bakery, 191 Charlotte St.
Peterborough New Horizons Band 3 – 4 pm Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain
Peterborough Concert Band 4 – 6 pm Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain
L.I.V.E Peterborough – Young Musicians Showcase 4 – 9 pm The Spill, 414 George St. N.
Country Music Artist Dean James 5 – 8 pm Champs Sports Bar patio, 203 Simcoe St. (Charlotte Mews)
Danny Bronson: Gordon Lightfoot Tribute 5 – 8 pm The Brickhouse Craft Burger Grill patio, 123 Simcoe St.
Rob Phillips Jazz Trio  5 – 8 pm Kettle Drums patio, 224 Hunter St. W.
Peterborough Pop Ensemble 6 – 7 pm Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain
Sean Conway 8 – 11 pm The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W.
Acoustic Rock Duo Travis Berlenbach and Josh Gontier 6 – 9 pm Riley’s Pub rooftop patio, 251 George St. N.
Blues and R&B with Bobby Watson 7 – 10 pm Historic Red Dog patio, 189 Hunter St. W.
Bring Your Can-Con (Canadian Music Contest), Hosted by The Wire Megazine 4 – 9 pm Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews, 282 Aylmer St. N.
Mike Graham Gypsy Jazz Trio 7 – 10 pm The Lounge by Lignum, 442 George St. N.
Oldies with the Rick & Gailie Band 5 – 8 pm The Blackhorse Pub, 452 George St. N.
The Peterborough Pop Ensemble is one of the many bands who will be performing live music at locations throughout downtown Peterborough.
The Peterborough Pop Ensemble is one of the many bands who will be performing live music at locations throughout downtown Peterborough.

In addition to live music, there are other activities happening in the afternoon.

Hunter Street Books (164 Hunter St. W.) will be running a Canadian-themed event all day.

Local artist Jason Wilkins will be offering free caricatures at Natas Café (376 George St. N.) from 3 to 6 p.m.

Local artist Jason Wilkins will be offering free caricatures at Natas Café.
Local artist Jason Wilkins will be offering free caricatures at Natas Café.
A sample of the intricate work by champion chainsaw woodcarver Steven Kenzora, who will be doing a live chainsaw carving in front of Peterborough City Hall. (Photo: Steven Kenzora / Facebook)
A sample of the intricate work by champion chainsaw woodcarver Steven Kenzora, who will be doing a live chainsaw carving in front of Peterborough City Hall. (Photo: Steven Kenzora / Facebook)

Champion chainsaw woodcarver Steven Kenzora from Young’s Point will provide a demonstration of live chainsaw carving from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the front steps of Peterborough City Hall (500 George St. N.).

In the evening, you can participate in an interactive art experience from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gallery In The Attic (140 Hunter St. W., 3rd floor).

If you prefer comedy over art, the Citiots Improv troupe will be performing an adults-only show from 7 to 9 p.m. at Catalina’s ( 131 Hunter St. W.).

The day-long celebrations will finish in front of the fountain at Millennium Park with a live fire and circus show called “Elements” by the Peterborough Academy for Circus Arts. The spectacular display of aerial silks and fire features Opal, Kayla Stanistreet, Nicole Malbeuf, Tegan Moss, Thomas Vaccaro, and Victoria Wood with original music by aquapher. There will be two performances, at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The Peterborough Academy for Circus Arts will perform a live fire and circus at the Millennium Park foundation. (Photo: Samantha Moss / Mossworks)
The Peterborough Academy for Circus Arts will perform a live fire and circus at the Millennium Park foundation. (Photo: Samantha Moss / Mossworks)

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Canada 150 celebrations continue in Peterborough with The Bash 150 on June 30

Roots master Rick Fines will be one of five musicians performing at the street dance on Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough from 4 to 10 p.m., part of The Bash 150 on Friday, June 30. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)

The June 29th Downtown Pop-Up celebrations in Peterborough are just a warm up for another party in downtown Peterborough, this one taking place on Friday, June 30th.

The Bash 150 is a full day of family events, art, and live music.

Organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), most of the events for The Bash 150 take place on Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets, which will be open to pedestrians only on June 30th.

The day begins with a focus on the arts, featuring a student art exhibit called “Canada Assembled” that will be display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Hunter Street West. In this interactive exhibit, students from St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough have created large wooden puzzle pieces that can be assembled to create the Canada 150th logo.

The exhibit is one of four Canada-themed exhibits by students, facilitated by the Art School of Peterborough, being shown during the four days of Canada 150 celebrations in Peterborough.

A still from Kerri Kennedy's film Time-Scape. Kennedy is one of four artists whose media arts projects will be on display on Hunter Street West during The Bash 150. (Photo courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)
A still from Kerri Kennedy’s film Time-Scape. Kennedy is one of four artists whose media arts projects will be on display on Hunter Street West during The Bash 150. (Photo courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)

Also beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 4 p.m. is unique media arts exhibition called “New Visions/Old Land” from Electric City Culture Council and Artspace.

Five artists (Kerri Kennedy, Shannon Taylor, Meagan Christou, Joeann Argue and Cara Mumford) have created four original works in film or video that reimagine what Canada means. The works will be tucked into stores, office fronts, alleyways, and tents along Hunter Street West between George Street and Sam’s Deli.

Trent Radio 92.7 will be broadcasting live from a booth on Hunter Street West and there will also be a camera-less film production table, where you can scratch, paint, stamp, and draw directly on 16mm film.

Washboard Hank – Honkey Tonk Woman

Meanwhile, over at Peterborough Square, Catfish Willie and Washboard Hank will be performing in the courtyard from noon until 1 p.m. at the DBIA’s Live and Local Lunches free concert series. From 3 to 6 p.m., the Peterborough Public Library will host a colouring contest for kids at the front entrance of Peterborough Square, where ‘The Puppet Tamer” Tim Holland will be performing 30-minute shows at 3, 4, and 5 p.m. (UPDATE – These events will now take place inside Peterborough Square due to rain).

Family activities are also happening at Millennium Park, with The Paddling Puppeteer performing from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and J’s Magic offering a children’s magic show from 6:30 to 7 p.m. (UPDATE – These events will now take place inside Peterborough Square due to rain).

At dusk, the movie “Beauty and the Beast” will be screened outside, part of the Ben van Veen Summer Family Film Series (UPDATE – due to a risk of a thunderstorm, this event has been rescheduled to Monday, July 3rd).

Beau Dixon, along with harmonica master Jerome Godboo, will be returning to Peterborough to join The Rocket Revue for an evening concert at The Bash 150 street dance on Friday, June 30. (Photo: The Rocket Revue / Facebook)
Beau Dixon, along with harmonica master Jerome Godboo, will be returning to Peterborough to join The Rocket Revue for an evening concert at The Bash 150 street dance on Friday, June 30. (Photo: The Rocket Revue / Facebook)

The grand finale of The Bash 150 will be a street dance on Hunter Street West, featuring live music from local performers between 4 and 10 p.m. The music begins with Washboard Hank from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by Mayhemingways (Josh Fewings and Benj Rowland) from 5:15 to 6 p.m., Rick Fines from 6:15 to 7 p.m., Melissa Payne from 7:15 to 8 p.m., and The Rocket Revue — featuring Beau Dixon and harmonica master Jerome Godboo — from 8:15 to 10 p.m.

For kids and the young at heart, Faces by 2 will also be offering Canada-themed face painting along Hunter Street West from 4 to 8 p.m. (UPDATE – This event will now take place inside Peterborough Square due to rain).

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Original music and dance performance brings cultures together to celebrate Canada 150

In "Between the Water and the Sky", Jade Willoughby will perform a new solo dance performance accompanied by the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra string quartet and the indigenous a cappella group Unity. (Photo courtesy of Public Energy)

For the first time ever, Public Energy and the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) have come together to create an original dance and music performance for Canada 150 celebrations in downtown Peterborough on Thursday, June 29th.

The live performance, entitled “Between the Water and the Sky”, recognizes and celebrates the contributions of indigenous culture to Canada. Along with the music performed by the PSO String Quartet, the performance features vocals by Unity and a dance performance by Jade Willoughby.

Unity is a four-woman indigenous a cappella group formed in Peterborough in 2006 by Barb Rivett, Joeann Argue, Brenda Maracle-O’Toole, and Heather Shpuniarsky. Since its inception, Unity has performed at a wide variety of venues.

Unity, a four-woman indigenous a cappella group formed in Peterborough, will be performing with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra String Quartet and indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby.
Unity, a four-woman indigenous a cappella group formed in Peterborough, will be performing with the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra String Quartet and indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby.

They performed as special guests for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Legal Defense Fund, sharing the bill with Bruce Cockburn and Susan Aglukark among others. They were the featured performers at the Anishnaabemowin Teg Language Conference in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 2010. Each year they perform the Honour Song for the convocations at Trent University, and are known as the Trent University “house band” as they perform at many at major Trent events.

In “Between the Water and the Sky”, Unity will be performing “The Medicine Song” and “Ghost Dancer”.

Jade Willoughby is a Northern woodlands Ojibwe of Caribbean/Anglo descent. She was born in Thunder Bay and raised in Wygamig just outside of the reserve settlement of Whitesand First Nation. Willoughby is an international model and speaker who is currently currently exploring movement in response to sound, as a part of her journey to reclaim Anishinaabemowin, her linguistic and cultural heritage.

In “Between the Water and the Sky”, Willoughby will be performing a new solo dance composition.

Jade Willoughby, who has had a successful career as an international model, is now exploring movement in response to sound as a part of her journey to reclaim her Anishinaabemowin heritage. (Photo: Jade Willoughby)
Jade Willoughby, who has had a successful career as an international model, is now exploring movement in response to sound as a part of her journey to reclaim her Anishinaabemowin heritage. (Photo: Jade Willoughby)

The musical collaboration was composed by nationally renowned composer Christine Donkin, who was previously commissioned by the PSO and The Canadian Canoe Museum to create a new work, Canoe Legends, in honour of the organizations’ respective 50th and 20th anniversaries. It has been adapted for a chamber string quartet.

Made possible by the Community Fund for Canada 150 (a collaboration between the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Community Foundations of Canada, and the Government of Canada) and sponsored by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, “Between the Water and the Sky” will have its debut performance at 12 p.m. at Millennium Park on Thursday, June 29th. There will be two additional performances on June 29th, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., in front of Peterborough City Hall.

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Peterborough’s Hunter Street West becomes a theatre during Canada 150 celebrations

A still from "Time-Scape", a film by Kerri Kennedy that will be screened at the "Visions/Old Land" exhibit on Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough on June 30. (Photo courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)

On Friday, June 30th, Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and Artspace are turning Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough into a stage for “New Visions/Old Land”, an meida arts exhibition that celebrates Canada 150.

EC3 and Artspace asked artists in Peterborough to reimagine what the idea of Canada means to them, and to offer new visions of what it could or should be. Who are we? What does it mean to be Canadian? What is the role of the land and the landscape in shaping this definition? How can we trace an outline of the future in the fragments of the past?

“New Visions/Old Land”, a series of four original works in film or video with live music or sound by local musicians, recasts Canada’s past and invents alternative futures. The exhibition takes place in stores, office fronts, alleyways and tents along Hunter Street West between George Street and and Sam’s Deli from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The artists of "Visions/Old Land": Kerri Kennedy, Shannon Taylor, Meagan Christou, Joeann Argue, and Cara Mumford. (Photos courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)
The artists of “Visions/Old Land”: Kerri Kennedy, Shannon Taylor, Meagan Christou, Joeann Argue, and Cara Mumford. (Photos courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)

The four media art projects are:

  • “Time-Scape” by Kerri Kennedy (2017, 5 minutes, digital video), with live sound by Jake Ryan, every hour starting at 10 a.m. at CIBC (corner of George and Hunter St. W.)
  • “Boerner Divider” by Meagan Christou (2017, 5 minutes, 16mm film), with live sound by Andrew Savery-Whiteway, every hour starting at 10:15 a.m. in a tent on Hunter St. W.
  • “Land” by Shannon Taylor (2017, 5 minutes, digital video), with live sound by Benj Rowland, every hour starting at 10:30 a.m. at Meta4 Gallery (164 Hunter St. W.)
  • “I Remember… Stories from a 500-year Old Tree” by Joeann Argue and Cara Mumford (2017, 5 minutes, digital video), with live sound by Nick Ferrio, every hour starting at 10:45 a.m. at Hunter Street Books (164 Hunter St. W.)

Filmmaker and Trent University Professor Kelly Egan will curate the show.

During the exhibition, EC3 will be hosting a Canadian Culture Trivia Contest with prizes. Trent Radio 92.7 will be broadcasting live from a booth on Hunter Street West, and people can visit the booth or call in to participate in the trivia contest.

Seeds for Justice, the Art School of Peterborough, and the sidewalk chalk bridgade will also be there for giant puzzles, storytelling, free cake, popcorn, and more.

A still from "Boerner Divider" by Meagan Christou.  (Photos courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)
A still from “Boerner Divider” by Meagan Christou. (Photos courtesy of Electric City Culture Council)

If you’re interested in making your own film, EC3 is also offering a unique opportunity with a camera-less film production table. It’s a great way to learn about the history of moving images and the differences between video and celluloid, through “camera-less” 16mm filmmaking.

You can scratch, paint, stamp, and draw directly on provided 16mm film. Once your film is finished (and dried if needed), you can watch your creation projected live on Hunter Street West. This activity is open to all ages, and children are encouraged to participate.

You can also expect to see photographers in abundance during the exhibit. Throughout the four days of Canada 150 celebrations in Peterborough, volunteer photographers from the SPARK Photo Festival will be capturing the sights and sounds for a special Canada 150 exhibit in the future.

VIDEO: Techniques of Cameraless Filmmaking

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Student artwork celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday

Students from Peterborough's St. Paul and Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary Schools working on "Canada Walking Forward", an art exhibit of 150 clay footprints of the students' own feet decorated to answer the question "What does Canada mean to you?". The exhibit is one of four student art exhibits that will be on display during Peterborough's four-day Canada 150 celebration from June 29 to July 2. (Photo: Canada 150th Committee)

Four art exhibits created by local elementary school students will be on public display during Peterborough’s four-day Canada 150 celebrations from Thursday, June 29th to Sunday, July 2nd.

Peterborough’s “Celebrate at Home’ Canada 150th Committee, in partnership with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, sponsored the Canada-themed art projects at a dozen schools across Peterborough.

“The committee wanted to make sure we engaged students and school communities so that their voices were included in this important celebration of our country in our city,” says Galen Eagle, the Canada 150th Committee Communications Chair. “The art exhibits will be a must-see and should give residents another great reason to celebrate at home.”

The Art School of Peterborough helped develop and facilitate the art projects in local schools over the last several month and students are busy putting the final touches on their work.

The students have already created hundreds of unique artworks that will be shown in local schools, and a selection of the works will from the four public art exhibits that will be display at the Silver Bean Café in Millennium Park, the Charlotte Mews Tunnel, Hunter Street, and on the path and stairs between the Peterborough Museum and Archives and the Peterborough Lift Lock.

In addition to the student art exhibits, the Canada 150th Committee announced a special photography project called “Sparking Memories.” Throughout the four days of Canada 150th celebrations in Peterborough, volunteer photographers from the SPARK Photo Festival will be capturing the sights and sounds for a special 150th exhibit in the future.

Students from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough have created and colourfully painted 150 clay flowers representing provincial flowers from across Canada. The exhibit is one of four student art exhibits that will be on display during Peterborough's four-day Canada 150 celebration from June 29 to July 2. (Photo: Canada 150th Committee)
Students from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough have created and colourfully painted 150 clay flowers representing provincial flowers from across Canada. The exhibit is one of four student art exhibits that will be on display during Peterborough’s four-day Canada 150 celebration from June 29 to July 2. (Photo: Canada 150th Committee)

Here are the four student exhibits that will be on public display:

Canada Growing Strong

Students from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School have created and colourfully painted 150 clay flowers representing provincial flowers from across Canada. Displayed together, the flowers make a powerful statement about the beauty that unites our provinces coast-to-coast.

The exhibit runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from June 29 to July 2 on the west side of the Silver Bean Café in Millennium Park,

 

Canada-mation

Students from St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School, St. Paul Catholic Elementary School Peterborough, and Chemong Public School have created Canada-themed claymation videos.

The videos will be projected on the Charlotte Mews tunnel in downtown Peterborough throughout the four days of celebrations.

 

Canada Assembled

In this interactive exhibit, students from St. Anne Catholic Elementary School have created large wooden puzzle pieces that can be assembled to create the Canada 150th logo.

The exhibit will be display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, June 30th on Hunter Street, when the road will be open to pedestrians only as part of downtown Peterborough’s Canada 150 celebrations.

 

Canada Walking Forward

Students from St. Paul Catholic Elementary School Peterborough and Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School have created and colourfully painted 150 clay footprints. The footprints are imprints of the students’ own feet and have been decorated to answer the question “What does Canada mean to you?”

The exhibit will be on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 2nd, along the path and stairs that connect the Peterborough Museum and Archives to the Peterborough Lift Lock grounds, as part of the day of heritage-related activities.

 

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

It’s going to be a sensational Canada Day in Peterborough

A very Canadian float in the 2010 Peterborough Canada Day Parade. Expect the floats at this year's parade, with the theme of Canada's 150th birthday, to be even more amazing. (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)

This year’s Canada Day celebrations in Peterborough, on the 150th birthday of Confederation, are going to be spectacular.

The highlight of the day is the Canada Day parade, but there is a lot more happening on Saturday, July 1st than just the parade itself.

There will be lots of family activities at the pre-parade events at Confederation Park including face painting. (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)
There will be lots of family activities at the pre-parade events at Confederation Park including face painting. (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)

Pre-parade ceremonies and events being at 9 a.m. at Peterborough City Hall and the appropriately named Confederation Park. A pancake breakfast will be served from 9 to 11 a.m. by the East Peterborough Lion’s Club while live music will be performed by the Dixie Cats Band (9 to 9:30 a.m.), the Northern Roads Band (9:45 to 10:30 a.m.), and the Peterborough Pop Ensemble (10:45 to 11:30 a.m.).

There will also be lots of activities for the kids, including the Tap Snap photo booth (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.), the Paddling Puppeteers (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.), and face painting by Face by 2 (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.).

The Children’s Bicycle Contest takes place in Confederation Park from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Children from five to 12 years old are invited to bring their decorated bikes to the contest and have some fun.

Kids can even ride their decorated bikes in the parade! And in case any bikes need some last-minute repairs, Peterborough Green Up and B!KE will be on hand with a repair stand.

Morello’s Your Independent Grocer will once again be donating Canada’s birthday cake, which will be available for all to sample between 10 and 10:30 a.m. We expect this year’s Canada 150 cake will be something to behold (and taste).

The 2013 Canada Day cake donated by Morello's Your Independent Grocer. We can't wait to see the Canada 150 birthday cake!  (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)
The 2013 Canada Day cake donated by Morello’s Your Independent Grocer. We can’t wait to see the Canada 150 birthday cake! (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)

From 11:30 to 11:50 a.m., local dignitaries will be delivering speeches, followed by the singing of “O Canada” at 11:55 a.m.

At 12 p.m., the Canada Day Parade begins. Presented and sponsored by Cogeco TV, the theme of this year’s parade is — of course — Canada’s 150th birthday. In honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, entry fees were waived for commercial floats so you can expect a bigger parade this year.

The parade will begin at Murray Street and proceed down George Street through downtown Peterborough to Morrow Park. (Parents of younger children who are riding their decorated bikes in the parade should accompany them on the parade route.)

And don’t forget: apart from the pre-parade events and the parade itself, there’s also the annual Multicultural Canada Day Festival taking place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Del Crary Park.

The festival features food and craft vendors, family activities, and henna and face painting from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sports demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a stage show from 12 to 2:30 p.m.

The Canada Day celebrations then continue in the evening with a free concert by Canadian music icon Kim Mitchell at Peterborough Musicfest at Del Crary Park. He will take the stage at 8 p.m. and rock the park until around 9:30 p.m.

There will be a special Canada 150 fireworks display over Little Lake at Del Crary Park at around 9:45 p.m.
There will be a special Canada 150 fireworks display over Little Lake at Del Crary Park at around 9:45 p.m.

To cap off Peterborough’s celebrations of Canada’s 150th birthday, the Peterborough Rotary Club (with support from the New Canadians Centre) will present a special Canada 150 fireworks display at Del Crary Park at around 9:45 p.m.

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Canada 150 celebrates diversity in Peterborough with Multicultural Canada Day

The all-day family-friendly Multicultural Canada Day Festival takes place on July 1st at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: New Canadians Centre)

When Canadians coast-to-coast-to-coast reflect on how their country is viewed beyond its borders, terms such as diversity, inclusive, and welcoming come to mind quickly for many.

Well they should. Since the 36 original Fathers of Confederation affixed their signatures to the document that brought Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick together to form Canada on July 1, 1867, this country’s doors have been laid open to those seeking fresh beginnings in a new home, both by choice and as refugees fleeing war, famine and other calamities in their respective homelands.

So it that when Peterborough’s Canada 150th Anniversary Celebrations Committee sat down to map out the city’s June 29 to July 2 Celebrate At Home festivities, it was a no-brainer to fully include the annual Multicultural Canada Day Festival in the mix.

First staged in 2004 with New Canadians Centre (NCC) as the sole organizer, the celebration of all things international has been well ahead of the local Canada Day party curve for some time, last year delighting some 11,000 people in Del Crary Park.

Around 11,000 people enjoyed last year's Multicultural Canada Day Festival in Peterborough. This year's festival, on Canada's 150th birthday, promises to be even bigger and better. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)
Around 11,000 people enjoyed last year’s Multicultural Canada Day Festival in Peterborough. This year’s festival, on Canada’s 150th birthday, promises to be even bigger and better. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)

On Friday (June 2) in Millennium Park, organizers rolled out a lively preview of this year’s 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. festival, highlighting its theme Bring People Together as well as two of the event’s enduring main attractions: international cuisine and live entertainment.

Chacho’s Bakery and Tre Ristorante — new food vendors this year — provided food samples while D’oh See Doughboyz — Curtis Driedger and Ken Brown with caller Ben Wolfe — pumped up its effort to lead Peterborough’s largest-ever square dance on the park’s Fred Anderson Stage.

“I think there’s something very magical about being in a space like Del Crary Park on a day like Canada Day with all your friends in the community,” said Yvonne Lai, NCC’s Director of Community Development, noting recent events south of the border surrounding immigration policies makes an inclusive event such as the festival even more poignant.

“In this community the response (to newcomers) has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve seen more than 300 Syrian refugees welcomed, about 200 government-assisted and 100 through private sponsorships. The number of people that have stepped forward to help them is more than 400. We did a calculation of the number of hours of volunteer time people have put in. It’s about 40,000 hours. In light of people wanting to do something that has impact in the face of this global wave of negativity, Peterborough has been a shining example.

This year's Multicultural Canada Day Festival features cultural music and dancing performances representing Syria, India, Sri Lanka, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.  (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)
This year’s Multicultural Canada Day Festival features cultural music and dancing performances representing Syria, India, Sri Lanka, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)

“I think people have an impression that Peterborough is one dimensional and it’s really not. Newcomers are everywhere in all walks of life, in the classroom, in the workplace, and they’re sharing the experience of being a Peterborough resident with you.”

In addition to food vendors serving up Thai, Greek, Greek, Caribbean, Bangladeshi and other international delicacies, the noon to 2:30 p.m. stage show will feature performances by Wshkiigomang Women’s Native Hand Drum Singers, Curve Lake drumming group IR-35, singer Serafin Lariviere performing music from his bilingual music project, the aforementioned D’oh See Doughboyz, a martial arts demonstration by Shifu Rupert Harvey, and a number of cultural music and dancing performances representing Syria, India, Sri Lanka, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

And for the fitness-minded, interactive demonstrations of cricket, Tai Chi, para-sports, Jiu Jitsu and Zumba will return, being staged from 10 to noon.

Also back is the popular mock Canadian citizenship test as well as the popular Kids’ Zone, presented in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

With some 130 volunteers involved in staging the festival, there remains a need for more help. Visit www.nccpeterborough.ca to sign up.

Interactive demonstrations of cricket, the most popular sport in India, return to this year's Multicultural Canada Day Festival.  (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)
Interactive demonstrations of cricket, the most popular sport in India, return to this year’s Multicultural Canada Day Festival. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)

Also scheduled for Canada Day proper is the Peterborough Canada Day Parade, Peterborough Musicfest with headliner Kim Mitchell, and the day-ending fireworks display over Little Lake presented by the city’s two Rotary clubs.

Terri Lynn Johnston of the City Recreation Division also spoke Friday, reminding all that while the parade starts at noon from City Hall, activities begin much earlier at 9:30 a.m., including a free pancake breakfast, live music, and the Decorated Bike Contest. She noted there’s still room for parade entries. To register, visit www.peterborough.ca.

And Rotary members promised an extra special fireworks display following Mitchell’s performance, all in keeping with the significance of Canada’s milestone 150th birthday.

Sponsoring this year’s Multicultural Canada Day Festival are Canadian Heritage, Ontario150, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Community Savings, Darragh Moroney of RE/MAX, Ricart Promotions & Recognition, and Rocky Ridge Drinking Water with media sponsorship from Corus, CHEX TV, Fresh Radio, The Wolf, Energy 99.7, and Country 105.

The family-friendly festival will also feature indigenous culture, including performances by Wshkiigomang Women's Native Hand Drum Singers and Curve Lake drumming group IR-35. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)
The family-friendly festival will also feature indigenous culture, including performances by Wshkiigomang Women’s Native Hand Drum Singers and Curve Lake drumming group IR-35. (Photo: Ciprian Mazare / Facebook)

Eight years after community members came together in 1979 to sponsor refugees fleeing Vietnam’s Communist regime, the New Canadians Centre formed as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers in the Peterborough and Northumberland regions.

With a mission to “empower immigrants and refugees to become full and equal members of Canadian society, and provide community leadership to ensure cultural integration in a welcoming community”, the centre has identified respect, diversity, partnerships and dedication as its values.

To that end, over the years since, centre staff and volunteers have strived to offer programs and nurture partnerships to better meet the language, educational, employment and settlement needs of new Canadians. Located at 221 Romaine Street in Peterborough (at Aylmer Street), the centre’s services and resources is a lifeline for some 800 new Canadians annually.

To find out more about the New Canadians Centre and for updates on the Multicultural Canada Day Festival, visit www.nccpeterborough.ca.

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

Kim Mitchell to help Peterborough rock Canada Day during Canada 150 celebrations

Iconic Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell returns to Peterborough MusicFest on July 1, 2017 as part of the Celebrate At Home Canada's 150th birthday celebrations in Peterborough (photo: The Feldman Agency)

Iconic Canadian rock artist Kim Mitchell will be performing at Peterborough Musicfest on Canada Day, Saturday, July 1st, 2017.

The 64-year-old Sarnia native will take to the Fred Anderson Stage in Del Crary Park as part of the ambitious four-day celebration, June 29th to July 2nd, themed “Celebrate At Home”. The concert will herald the opening of the 17-concert Musicfest season.

Anchoring the Celebrate At Home initiative is a $100,000 grant from the City of Peterborough, a portion of which made it possible to secure Mitchell for the Canada Day concert — his fourth Musicfest appearance. In 2012, his August 4th appearance was cut short by bad weather, but he returned on August 21st to play a full show before thousands of classic rock fans.

Sarnia native Kim Mitchell began his career in the mid 1970s fronting Max Webster and has since sold more than 1.5 million albums (photo: Kim Mitchell / Facebook)
Sarnia native Kim Mitchell began his career in the mid 1970s fronting Max Webster and has since sold more than 1.5 million albums (photo: Kim Mitchell / Facebook)

Mitchell is a musical artist widely revered for wearing his Canadian pride on his sleeve, and thus a perfect fit with the Celebrate At Home theme. In addition, with Mitchell’s extensive hit song catalogue, he’s guaranteed to draw a huge crowd.

Mitchell began his professional musical career in the mid 1970s fronting Max Webster, which released six studio albums from 1976 to 1981, recording hit singles such as “A Million Vacations” and “Paradise Skies”, and toured extensively.

VIDEO: “Go For Soda” – Kim Mitchell

However, his subsequent career as a solo artist brought him his greatest success in the form of three Juno Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990, and a string of hit singles such as “Go For Soda”, “All We Are”, “Patio Lanterns”, “Easy To Tame”, “Rock And Roll Duty”, “Rockland Wonderland”, and “America”.

He also claimed Juno Awards for Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1983 and, four years later, for Album of the Year for Shakin’ Like A Human Being, his second solo album.

In total, Mitchell has sold more than 1.5 million albums. Most all of his recordings, with Max Webster and as a solo act, have attained gold or multi-platinum status. All along the way, Mitchell has toured extensively — a regimen that was put on hold this past January when he suffered a heart attack and had a stent put in.

VIDEO: “Patio Lanterns” – Kim Mitchell

“It made me realize that I have nothing to prove any more,” related Mitchell in a May 2016 interview with Jim Barber of MusicLifeMagazine.net.

“I play guitar and I am going to go up there on stage and enjoy myself and appreciate the fact that I get to go up on stage and play in front of people who like what I do. I don’t stress out about all the stuff around being a touring musician any more. I am where I am in my life and my career, so I am just going up there and relax and do my thing.”

“I am all about customer service. People are coming out to hear certain songs and hear me playing them. But they have been morphing and going through some changes. So Go For A Soda sounds a little different the way we play it on a given night. And we will start to jam out on some of the songs and be a little freer with the arrangements. I like to give people what they want.”

VIDEO: “Lager & Ale” – Kim Mitchell

And giving people what they want is what Mitchell will do on Canada Day next year. That, he says, remains his proudest accomplishment in a music career that has featured many benchmarks.

“Being able to take people to a special place through our performance and music. When that happens, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”

All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.

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