The Hootenanny on Hunter Street

Peterborough's 3rd annual downtown street party on August 10th bids farewell to The Spades

The stage at The Hootenanny on Hunter Street in 2011 (photo: Hootenanny on Hunter St.)
The stage at The Hootenanny on Hunter Street in 2011 (photo: Hootenanny on Hunter St.)

The Hootenanny on Hunter Street is billed as a “street festival for everyone.”

It’s all about celebrating Peterborough’s downtown arts, culture and local business. Bustling nightlife, excellent restaurants and shops, funky bars, and great coffee all make Hunter Street and the rest of downtown quite special.

Of course, there’ll be lots of stuff to see and do during the festival, including a skateboard expo and more than 35 vendors offering jewellery, cupcakes, art, bath and body products, typography card prints, photography, woodwork, crafts, and much more.

All of this takes place in the heart of Hunter Street’s Café District from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 10th.

But what would a hootenanny be without some tunes? This year’s third edition of the Hootenanny is also all about great local music.

Poster for The Hootenanny on Hunter Street 2013
Poster for The Hootenanny on Hunter Street 2013
In the past, there’ve been Peterborough area bands alongside out-of-town acts. This year, every act is as local as it gets.

Headlining the evening are Peterborough’s rock heroes The Spades — playing their final show for their adoring hometown audience.

The band has slowed down over the past 18 months and has been busy with other avenues of life. Lead singer and guitarist James McKenty explains this last concert as a way “to say thank you to friends and fans at a show that is free for everyone.” Ending in this way is also meaningful for the band, because The Spades would jam and plan tours just feet from where the Hootenanny stage will be.

McKenty rightly refers to the band as a “family band” that were always the best of pals, and they continue to be to this day. The Spades have released a number of studio albums and have shared the stage with the likes of The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Matthew Good, Sam Roberts, The Trews, The Sadies, and more.

Excuse the cliché, but this time it’s really true: you will not want to miss this show.

Here’s the schedule of acts throughout the day:

Time Band Description
1:00 pm Missy Knott & Brian Mehlenbacher Folk/Pop
2:00 pm Nick Ferrio & His Feelings Old-time country
3:00 pm Dave Tough’s Blues in the Bottle Jug band/folk
4:00 pm The Losing Hand Garage rock
5:00 pm Elvyn Power pop
6:00 pm Mayhemingways Alt-country/Cajun
7:00 pm Tarantuela Rhythm and blues
8:00 pm Express & Co Alt-country
9:00 pm Slips ‘n’ the High Fives Soul
10:00 pm The Spades & Friends* Rock ‘n roll power trio
* Farewell show

The Spades – “The Revenge of Johnny Laundry”

For more information about The Hootenanny on Hunter Street, visit the Tumblr blog or Facebook page, or follow @HootenannyPTBO on Twitter.