Funny thing about a party: Once word gets out, everybody wants to come.

As is becoming increasingly clear, everybody is coming, to Peterborough’s over-the-top Canada 150 party scheduled for four dates in late June/early July. And that’s just those who will musically entertain and visually delight. Never mind the thousands their combined talents are sure to attract.

On Thursday (March 30) at One Eighty Sports Pub (180 Hunter Street West, 705-874-0989), the Peterborough’s Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) revealed its significant contribution to Peterborough 150, with DBIA executive director and organizing committee member Terry Guiel leading the charge.

The crowning event will be The Bash 150, a Hunter Street West live local music showcase on Friday, June 30 starting at 4 p.m. with Washboard Hank followed, in order, by Mayhemingways (Josh Fewings and Benj Rowland), Rick Fines, Melissa Payne and the full blues sound of the brassy Rocket Revue, joined by Juno Award-winning guitarist Jack de Keyzer and harmonica master Jerome Godboo.

Earlier, throughout day and night on Thursday, June 29th, Downtown Pop-Up will feature performers doing their thing at a number of downtown venues, inside and out. There are some familiar names here — Danny Bronson, Sean Conway, Bobby Watson, Mike Graham, Rick & Gailie and The Citiots Improv comedy troupe led by Ray Henderson are among those scheduled.

“Downtown will be animated and a lot of fun,” promised Guiel, standing in front of a banner highlighting the event theme, Celebrate At Home.

But it’s not just about music over the two days. Local media and visual artists will also highlight their talents on June 30th via a showcase initiative presented jointly by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and Artspace. Themed “New Visions, Old Land”, four new commissioned works be featured, again on Hunter Street West west of George Street.

“I think each of the works is going to bring something new and different to the idea of what it means to be a Canadian; what it means when we say the word ‘Canada,'” said Su Ditta, EC3 executive director.

“This a great chance to give them an opportunity to really think about new visions for a very old land. We wanted to bring something more futuristic to the celebrations, so part of the challenge of these commissions will be to think about the future and link our past with it.”

“We have a lot of award-winning visual and media artists here. I think they’re not as well known as musicians. (Trent University president) Leo Groarke, speaking at our AGM two years ago, said even when he wasn’t living in Peterborough, he knew we had a reputation for punching way above our weight when it comes to arts and culture. This is a city of 80,000 people and we probably have 40 professional arts organizations. That’s a pretty high ratio.”

Each piece, she explained, can only be five minutes in length and each artist will have funding to commission live musical or sound performance as part of their piece. As well, Artspace is donating the services of its media lab, which equates to free technical support and equipment use.

Getting all well into the right spirit at the reveal was Fines, who performed “This One Day”, a track on his latest album Driving Home. He said afterwards that he’s “thrilled” to be asked to perform as part of The Bash 150.

“Over the last eight years, I’ve literally gone from Bonavista (Newfoundland) to Vancouver Island, from the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes, every year. I love this country, especially The North, so to be involved with the anniversary is a treat and an honour.”

VIDEO: Rick Fines performs “This One Day” at media announcement (video: Jeannine Taylor)

Those planning ahead are reminded the two-day DBIA-presented portion of the celebration represents just half the schedule.

Peterborough Musicfest has announced that Canadian rock/pop music icon Kim Mitchell will open its 31st season Saturday, July 1st at 8 p.m. at Del Crary Park, followed by fireworks. Earlier that same day, Peterborough’s Canada Day Parade will roll on George Street starting at noon and the annual Multicultural Canada Day festivities will held, also at Del Crary Park.

And, on Sunday, July 2nd — if you still have any energy — the Peterborough Museum atop Armour Hill will host Heritage Day activities for the entire family.

For more details on what’s scheduled over the four days, and when and where, visit www.peterborough.ca/PTBO150.

Thursday, June 29 – Downtown Pop-Up

Friday, June 30 – The Bash 150

Friday, June 30 – The Bash 150 Street Dance

Parkview Homes, which has purchased The Pig’s Ear Tavern in downtown Peterborough, will be auctioning off any remaining contents of the tavern after it closes on April 22, 2017.

Paul Dietrich, owner and president of Parkview Homes, plans to demolish the building at 144 Brock Street and replace it with a new five-storey apartment building, part of a $20 million redevelopment that also includes the Black Horse Pub property at 450 George Street North.

A March 30th media release from Parkview Homes states “This is a unique opportunity for past and present revelers of ‘The Piggy’ to own a piece of its storied history.”

The auction will be held in early May, following the closing of The Pig’s Ear closes on April 22nd,. It will be hosted online by Russland Auctioneers at ruslands.hibid.com to allow non-local bidding as well.

Parkview Homes will split all proceeds from the auction equally between YWCA Crossroads Shelter and YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

“We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to not only give back those who need it most in our community, but also to bring new and innovative ideas to downtown Peterborough,” the media release concludes.

The Peterborough office of the Canadian Red Cross at 565 Water Street is closing effective Sunday, April 30th — a move prompted by the agency’s desire to respond to changing times.

“It’s not a cost-savings measure,” says Helena McKeag, Red Cross’s director of regional services for Eastern Ontario. “It’s because we’re delivering our services differently.

“The current services that we have in the Peterborough area — First Aid and CPR training, offered through our training partners as of March 31 — will continue to be there. Disaster Management with the emergency 24/7 line and the Disaster Management team will still be there with the same contact people. Those will be remaining, just offered in a different manner.”

McKeag explains the changing nature of how the Canadian Red Cross delivers services means a physical location in Peterborough is no longer necessary.

“We don’t need the physical presence of the building to offer those. You don’t need bricks and mortar to do the work. Our delivery model, the way we deliver our services, has changed over the years. Disaster Management is now mobile. It will still be there but they don’t need to work out of the Peterborough office to deliver services.”

McKeag adds all Red Cross services will remain accessible to the public with the current phone number of 705-745-8222 remaining active. As well, local services can be accessed at www.redcross.ca.

“While we will no longer will have a physical branch (in Peterborough), we will continue to provide services to the community based on need, as we do now in other locations where branches do not exist,” says McKeag.

The Canadian Red Cross closed its Renfrew County and District Branch office last year, as well as its branch in Quinte. This year, it’s also closing a branch in Keewatin near Kenora in northern Ontario effective June 30th, and there are reports of other offices in southern Ontario closing as well this year.

“The way the public has been interacting with us over the years has changed dramatically, along with the way we deliver some of our programs and services,” McKeag explains. “We’re looking at transforming the way we do our business, the way we deliver our services. If you have a mobile unit that’s going to be more responsive to disaster management and emergencies, why would you time them to a building? We’re just responding to the times and changing with the times.”

Along with First Aid/CPR training and Disaster Management services, other programs offered by the Peterborough branch have included: swimming instruction and lifeguard certification; manual wheelchair recycling; health equipment loans; “First Contact” for refugees facing challenges in adjusting to their new home; violence, bullying and abuse prevention programs; and “Winter Warmth”, which provides knitted items for those without access to winter wear.

What has been the home of the Canadian Red Cross, the building at 565 Water Street, was designated a heritage structure in 1982 by the City of Peterborough.

Built in 1889 at the northwest corner of Water and London streets, it is known as Harstone House — a tribute to Phoebe and Robert Harstone who acquired the property in 1907 and later left it to their son Colonel John A. Harstone, who lived there until his death in 1981 after which the Canadian Red Cross acquired the property.

Built in Queen Anne-style, the brick dwelling was originally designed by architect William Blackwell for John B. McWilliams, a businessman and politician. It was also the family home of his son Roland, who became mayor of Peterborough in 1906 and, in 1940, lieutenant governor of Manitoba.

With its rolling hills and historic buildings, Millbrook has become a favourite location for film and television shoots — including Anne, CBC Television’s revival of Lucy Maude Montgomery’s classic children’s novel, which premiered on March 19th.

On Wednesday, March 29th, the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA) officially launched a film of its own: a two-minute short by videographer Patrick Stephen. The film captures the beauty of the village, not dressed for a film set, but just as it is.

VIDEO: Experience Millbrook – It’s Closer Than You Think!

Brigid Ayotte, Economic and Community Development Co-ordinator with the Township of Cavan Monaghan, says that the BIA decided to make the film after it was suggested by John Fizzle at Primerica.

“The idea of being able to package what is so great and beautiful about this community visually and succinctly attracted the BIA to this,” Brigid says.

The film showcases Millbrook’s beautiful countryside; we get a sense of space and freedom in the farms and hills. We watch the Pastry Peddler open with fresh baking as the main street awakens.

We see the beautiful trails, the 4th Line Theatre, the farmers’ market, the community garden, tempting food, and bustling streets. We see the Millbrook Fair at day and at night, glowing against the evening sky.

But still, there is so much about Millbrook that you don’t see in the film. Firm in my belief that the best way to experience a town is to speak with the people who know it best, I spoke with BIA members about Millbrook beyond the film.

The food

I ask Brigid about her favourite downtown attraction.

“The food,” she replies. “You have a whole range of food: eclectic at the Pastry Peddler, more traditional fare at Madison’s Place. If you want something quick you’ve got Bewdley Pizza or Subway.”

Having different options makes it easy for visitors downtown to spend the day.

Brigid also pointed out that many of these restaurants use local ingredients. “Millbrook and the Township of Cavan Monaghan have always had a very strong agricultural background.”

The Pastry Peddler serves local meat, maple syrup honey, and produce. They work with farms including Circle Organic, Puddleduck Farm, and French’s Beef.

Kate Deklerk, owner of the Quilter’s Bolt (30 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-2120) recommends that foodies check out the Millbrook Farmers’ Market.

“This is an adorable little market with fruits, veggies, plants, gourmet lunch options, and live music,” Kate says. “It feels like a meeting place for locals and draws some pretty impressive crowds.”

The market is held on the 4th Sunday of each month from May through October.

The shopping

Millbrook’s downtown is home to a variety of shops: clothing, gifts, decor, hardware, groceries, and quilt supplies can all be sourced within a stone’s throw.

Because these are independent shops, they offer a shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why Brigid shops locally.

“If you go to Oasis Boutiques, you know that when you purchase something not everybody and their brother is going to have it,” Brigid explains. “It’s the same with Bear Essentials: there are a lot of unique gift ideas and products to use in your own home.”

Bonnie McQuarrie of Bethany Hills Interiors (12 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-1600) carries a colourful selection of linens and artwork, many of which are sourced nearby.

“We buy local as much as we can, and Canadian made as much as we can,” Bonnie says.

The history

Millbrook’s historic charm is one of the main reasons it has become so popular for film sets, and the locals are very passionate about protecting its historic feel.

Millbrook has 45 historically designated buildings — the most per capita anywhere in Ontario.

Deanna Bell-Hall of the Pastry Peddler (17 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-7333) says that visitors often comment about the sense of history.

“A lot of people comment that it’s such a cute little town and it’s so charming, and it really is. You go back in time almost.”

Millbrook residents care about their history. The community group Save the Dam Mill Pond, in partnership with the Millbrook and Cavan Historical Society, raised $90,000 in the summer of 2015 to save Needler’s Mill, a mill originally built by Adam Scott in 1830 and moved to its current location in 1909.

The trails

Whether you enjoy hiking or biking, Millbrook’s trails are a popular destination.

Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt says that when she hikes the trails, she often meets her friends and neighbours.

“I can honestly say, I don’t think we have ever hiked those trails and not been joined by friends we have unexpectedly come across.

“The nature, the beauty and the proximity all makes it so accessible, and such a wonderful thing to enjoy over and over again.”

The arts

The 4th Line Theatre calls Millbrook home, but the town is also a hotbed for visual artists, musicians, authors, and crafters.

Bonnie of Bethany Hills Interiors represents some of those artists in her shop, including George Raab and Debra Jackson. She also carries books by local illustrators Bill Slavin and Esperanca Melo.

While Millbrook’s most famous homegrown musician is superstar Serena Ryder, she isn’t the only musician from Millbrook. The Pastry Peddler hosts regular live music nights featuring local talent.

There are also classes for aspiring artists and quilters four to five nights each week at The Quilter’s Bolt, which offers the chance to learn more about quilting, bag making, and more.

The events

Millbrook’s events are another reason to visit, according to Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt.

“Attending the wide variety of community events is another thing that I think makes Millbrook spectacular.”

Ladies Night, Zucchini Fest, and Christmas in the Village are Kate’s top picks.

This April 1st and 2nd, you can go to ‘Maple in the Township’, a tour of local maple producers.

The community

The thing that I heard about over and over again from BIA Members was Millbrook’s incredible sense of community.

Bonnie of Bethany Hills Interiors says that you can see the care that residents bring to their community as soon as you drive into town.

“There’s a pride in the village: a sense of belonging, a sense of caring. I think that’s illustrated so well with our decorating committee. So many people tell me when they come to Millbrook and they see those decorations, it shows that people care here. We really try to make it a nice place to come to.”

Michelle Horner, a customer service representative at Millbrook Farm and Pet Supplies (13 Tupper St, Millbrook, 705-932-2888) says that the small-town atmosphere is what makes Millbrook such a great place to be.

“Everybody’s friendly and courteous and most people know most other people. You have that family connection.”

Didi Calhoun, owner of Calhoun’s Foodland (6 Century Blvd, Millbrook, 705-932-2179) agrees.

“There are small towns everywhere, but it’s that sense of community when you’re here. That’s what keeps us here, and I think that’s what’s the draw. It’s a small piece of Utopia.”

Didi adds that it’s a great place to raise a family.

Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt also appreciates the family-friendly atmosphere.

“My family and I moved to Millbrook seven years ago. And I have to say I cannot imagine raising my girls anywhere else. The sense of community in this village is amazing.”

Just 15 minutes from Peterborough, Millbrook is a great place to visit. And, if you stay long enough, you just might want to move there.