kawarthaNOW | News, events, and community information for residents, visitors, and cottagers in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Jordan Lyall is an award-winning documentary-style photographer who works across Peterborough and the Kawarthas to capture authentic, real-life moments that families will cherish for years to come. She is currently booking for flexible sessions at cottages, family reunions, and other events throughout the summer and fall. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)

Know Your Locals: Capture authentic family moments with documentary-style photography by Jordan Lyall

Award-winning Peterborough photographer is currently booking summer and fall family photo sessions for cottage gatherings, family reunions, and other events

Megan Gallant - July 19, 2026

Auto Sales Connect at 1175 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough is hosting the "Fill the Fords" donation blitz on August 8, 2026 in support of the United Way Peterborough & District's Backpacks for Success program. The event aims to fill these two vintage Ford pickup trucks, a restored 1951 Mercury and a 1996 Ford F150, with school supplies that the United Way will then stock in backpacks to be distributed to financially vulnerable local students. (Photo courtesy of Auto Sales Connect)

Auto Connect Sales in Peterborough aims to ‘Fill the Fords’ with school supplies for local students in need

Peterborough Musicfest's "Woven Stories: A Night of Indigenous Music, Culture and Celebration" returns to Del Crary Park for a second year on July 18, 2026, featuring a traditional canoe arrival, drumming, storytelling, dancing and more followed by a headline performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Julian Taylor, who is of Caribbean and Mohawk ancestry. (Photo: David Pickering)

‘Woven Stories’ returns to Peterborough Musicfest Saturday with an evening celebration of Indigenous culture

Families enjoying Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)

The Beach Report for July 17 to 23, 2026

The late afternoon sun appears pinkish orange on July 19, 2021 due to smoke from active forest fires in northwestern Ontario moving over southern Ontario. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

Smoke returning to Kawarthas region later on Friday and possibly into weekend

Environment Canada has issued another air quality warning due to smoke from northwestern Ontario forest fires

kawarthaNOW - July 17, 2026

Toronto-based Billboard Top 40 charting country rock singer-songwriter Josh Taerk is performing at the Burleigh Falls Inn off Highway 28 in Burleigh Falls on Friday evening. (Photo via Josh Taerk / Instagram)

Julian Taylor’s remarkable musical journey leads him to Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday night

An aerial view of paddlers packed into the two tubs of the Peterborough Lift Lock for the seventh annual Lock & Paddle event on July 19, 2025. (Photo: Parks Canada)

CANCELLED – Parks Canada’s 8th annual Lock & Paddle returns to the Peterborough Lift Lock on Saturday

Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP) steering committee members Sean Pennylegion, Jessica Slade, Lauren Hunter, Barrie Martin, and Carol Moffatt in front of part of a textile collection by local artist Wendy Wood at The Link in Haliburton. The non-partisan grassroots community group was formed in 2025 to strengthen local democracy and promote higher levels of civic engagement. (Photo: HHHDP)

Grassroots group aims for more choice on Haliburton County’s municipal election ballots

Non-partisan Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project is encouraging candidates to register and voters to participate in local elections

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - July 16, 2026

Predators can ingest rodenticides through their prey, which is known as secondary poisoning. A recent study found that traceable levels of at least one rodenticide were present in 82 per cent of bald eagles tested. This gives concern that bald eagle populations are currently at risk of decline. (Photo: Jade Vincentini)

Effective and humane rodent control starts with prevention, not poison

After serving two terms as Smith Ward councillor and two terms as deputy mayor, Sherry Senis was acclaimed mayor of Selwyn Township in 2022. (Photo: Sewlyn Township)

Sherry Senis announces she will not be seeking re-election as Selwyn Township mayor

The United Way Peterborough & District's incoming campaign chair Tiffany Arcari with the non-profit organization's newly appointed CEO Jason Seguya during an announcement of her appointment at the United Way's office on July 15, 2026. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)

Tiffany Arcari to chair United Way Peterborough & District’s 2026-27 campaign

Auto Connect Sales in Peterborough aims to ‘Fill the Fords’ with school supplies for local students in need

Megan Gallant - July 18, 2026

The family-friendly August 8 donation blitz will support United Way Peterborough & District's Backpacks for Success program.

‘Woven Stories’ returns to Peterborough Musicfest Saturday with an evening celebration of Indigenous culture

July 17, 2026

Smoke returning to Kawarthas region later on Friday and possibly into weekend

July 17, 2026

CANCELLED – Parks Canada’s 8th annual Lock & Paddle returns to the Peterborough Lift Lock on Saturday

Updated July 16, 2026

Grassroots group aims for more choice on Haliburton County’s municipal election ballots

July 16, 2026

Know Your Locals: Capture authentic family moments with documentary-style photography by Jordan Lyall

Megan Gallant - July 19, 2026

Award-winning Peterborough photographer is currently booking summer and fall family photo sessions for cottage gatherings, family reunions, and other events.

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features our favourite ice cream and frozen treat destinations in the Kawarthas, including Central Smith Creamery in Selwyn Township, Reclaimed Garden Co. in Burleigh Falls, Kawartha Dairy in Bobcaygeon and beyond, Canoe Co. Café in downtown Peterborough, Violet's Frozen Yogurt in Kinmount, Mercury Chocolates & Gelateria in Cobourg, and The Little Frozen Yogurt Company in Douro. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Get the scoop on ice cream made right here in the Kawarthas

July 14, 2026

Locally and independently owned by Rob Cooper and Kevin Linton since 2021, Floor Coverings International Peterborough & Kawarthas has opened at its new location at 4463 County Road 29 in Lakefield. Sourcing Canadian-made flooring wherever possible, the company offers a wide range of products for homeowners and also works with general contractors, restoration companies, and builders. (Photo courtesy of Floor Coverings International Peterborough & Kawarthas)

Know Your Locals: Floor Coverings International Peterborough & Kawarthas expands with new Lakefield showroom

July 11, 2026

Pammett's Flowers is a floral boutique that has been selling fresh bouquets and arrangements and delivering across Peterborough County for more than 50 years. In response to changing consumer habits, owner Tova White has closed her Charlotte Street storefront and is now selling arrangements and organizing pick-ups at a retail location at Euphoria Wellness Spa at 290 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Pammett's Flowers)

Know Your Locals: Pammett’s Flowers moves retail selection and pick-up to Euphoria Wellness Spa in downtown Peterborough

July 9, 2026

Kawartha Localist: Restaurant patios with quality food, fun events, and unbeatable views

July 7, 2026

nightlifeNOW – July 16 to 22

kawarthaNOW - July 16, 2026

Featuring live music listings at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region.

Award-winning roots singer-songwriter and guitarist Julian Taylor performs a free-admission concert at Peterborough Musicfest in Del Crary Park on July 18, 2026. (Photo: Lisa MacIntosh)

Julian Taylor’s remarkable musical journey leads him to Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday night

July 16, 2026

Five-time Juno-winning artist Aysanabee and Juno-nominated rocker Terra Lightfoot will be joining headliners Bahamas, Begonia, Shad, and Kazdoura at the 37th annual Peterborough Folk Festival, which takes place from August 13 to 16, 2026. (Photos: Jen Squires and Janine V. Photography)

Aysanabee and Terra Lightfoot round out headliners for 2026 Peterborough Folk Festival

July 15, 2026

encoreNOW for July 13, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) the North of Nowhere Music Festival in Lindsay, "In The Key of Blue" at Peterborough's Showplace Performance Centre, "Barnful of Broadway - Love Changes Everything" at Campbellford's Westben, Matthew Good at Peterborough Musicfest, Paul Reddick at the River Time Blues Festival in Port Hope, and Karen Parker and Diana Frances in "Leave it to Cleavage" at Bobcaygeon's Globus Theatre. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Juno-nominated country singer Tyler Joe Miller brings his rising star to Peterborough Musicfest Wednesday night

July 12, 2026

Green Economy Peterborough celebrates five years of leadership in building a more sustainable local economy

GreenUP - July 9, 2026

At the annual Leadership in Sustainability Celebration on June 11, local business and community leaders imagined a more resilient Peterborough and the Kawarthas in 2050.

The youth team behind Empire Beez in Trent Hills (left to right: Sebastian Smith, Owen Musson, Eloise Smith, and Penelope McEvoy) stand with the beehive they installed at the Simpson Street Community Garden in Campbellford. The group launched the small business last year with the aim of raising awareness around honeybees and installing community beehives. The team will be unveiling the beehive during a garden talk held by IncrEdible Trent Hills on July 9, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Blythe Weber)

Youth-run small business Empire Beez installs beehive at community garden in Campbellford

July 1, 2026

Community Futures Peterborough executive director Devon Girard at the podium during the not-for-profit economic development organization's annual general meeting on June 23, 2026 at the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough marks record year for lending and business advisory services

June 23, 2026

The recipients of the "4-Under-40" awards at the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Business Excellence Awards with Karen Auger (middle) of award sponsor MNP Peterborough. Left to right: Adeilah Dahlke, Meagan McLaren, Amy Muir, and Michael Riseley. (Photo: Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce)

Nominations open for Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Excellence Awards

June 22, 2026

Innovation Cluster launches new on-demand online course to help skilled tradespeople transition into entrepreneurship

June 16, 2026

The Beach Report for July 17 to 23, 2026

kawarthaNOW - July 17, 2026

Water quality testing results for beaches in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Hastings County.

Effective and humane rodent control starts with prevention, not poison

July 16, 2026

The Beach Report for July 10 to 16, 2026

July 10, 2026

Vintage and classic cars and motorcycles will be on display at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene during the 29th annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show on July 12, 2026. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)

Classic cars and motorcycles roll into Lang Pioneer Village Museum for annual Transportation Day show on Sunday

July 7, 2026

Established in 1974 by James Hamilton, the miniature train ride at Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough features a miniature replica of an 1860 locomotive. With 10,000 to 60,000 riders each season, the miniature train ride is an important source of revenue for Canada's only free-admission accredited zoo. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)

Miniature train ride at Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough now open for the season

July 6, 2026

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For more local weather, environmental conditions, and travel resources, visit our Weather & Travel page.

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