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

The Beach Report for July 10 to 16, 2026

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

kawarthaNOW - July 10, 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

Looking south down George Street from Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area)

Economic development and safety concerns dominate discussion at downtown Peterborough revitalization session

Award-winning Trent Hills vocalist Jane Archer, who just turned 75, will be celebrating her birthday on Saturday night at the Black Horse in downtown Peterborough with her band Blues to the Bone, performing a mix of blues, soul, classic country, rhythm and blues, and her own original songs. Special guests include Peterborough guitarist Emily Burgess and Jane's son Michael Archer, a bassist now living and performing in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Jackie Wimbush / JAX Photo)

Lighthouse’s remarkable staying power will be on full display at Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday night

With co-founder Paul Hoffert still at it, horn-heavy Canadian rock ensemble brings its 57-year legacy to Del Crary Park on July 11

Paul Rellinger - July 9, 2026

Attendees at Green Economy Peterborough's fifth annual Leadership in Sustainability Celebration on June 11, 2026 collaborate on a visioning exercise where they shared ideas on what a healthy, sustainable version of Peterborough and the Kawarthas in 2050 means to them. Responses included vibrant neighbourhoods, thriving local businesses and a resilient low-carbon economy. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

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

From June 26 to 28, 2026, a group of volunteers from a wide range of organizations came together at the Little Gull Lake Marina on Mississagua Lake and the Gold Lake boat launch to remove more than 60 abandoned docks and other waste volunteers collected from the Catchacoma-Mississagua lakes system as part of the Abandoned Dock Initiative led by the Cavendish Community Ratepayers Association Inc. To continue the cleanup and remove a total of more than 100 abandoned docks, organizers have launched a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $20,000. (Photo courtesy of Abandoned Dock Initiative)

Community partners aim to remove even more abandoned docks from Catchacoma-Mississagua lake system

Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coon (second from right) accepts a cheque for $15,579.44 from Rhonda White of the Kawartha ATV Association (KATVA). Also pictured from left to right are KATVA volunteer Susan Reeds, KATVA volunteer and founding member Tony Bullough, and KATVA board member Chris Pellow. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation)

Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation celebrates milestone donation from Kawartha ATV Association

Wildlife educator and conservationist Caolaidhe Keelor is living her dream as the "public relations representative" for her favourite species, the turkey vulture. On September 27, 2026, she will be hosting what may be Canada's first-ever Turkey Vulture Festival at Rotary Park in Port Hope. With the goal of changing the misconceptions people have about the raptor, the afternoon will include music by Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo and other musical guests, wildlife interactions, educational opportunities, a scavenger hunt with local businesses, and more. (Photo courtesy of Caolaidhe Keelor)

‘Keep calm and carrion’: a new festival in Port Hope aims to change perception of turkey vultures

September 27 event at Rotary Park organized by Caolaidhe Keelor will include conservation, a scavenger hunt, wildlife interactions, and live music

Megan Gallant - July 8, 2026

Lakefield councillor John Boyko running for deputy mayor of Selwyn Township

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

The candidates running for the two councillor positions in Ward 2 (Monaghan) in Peterborough's municipal election, as of July 7, 2026, are (left to right, top and bottom) incumbent Matt Crowley, Ashley Flynn, Jen Lacey, and AJ Shearer. Incumbent councillor Don Vassiliadis has not yet declared whether he will seek re-election. (kawarthaNOW collage of photos from candidate websites/social media)

Peterborough Monaghan Ward candidates introduce their campaigns ahead of October’s municipal election

Economic development and safety concerns dominate discussion at downtown Peterborough revitalization session

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - July 9, 2026

Peterborough mayoral candidate Neil Morton held the fourth of five campaign policy sessions on July 7 at Knights of Columbus Doyle Hall.

Community partners aim to remove even more abandoned docks from Catchacoma-Mississagua lake system

July 8, 2026

Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation celebrates milestone donation from Kawartha ATV Association

July 8, 2026

‘Keep calm and carrion’: a new festival in Port Hope aims to change perception of turkey vultures

July 8, 2026

Lakefield councillor John Boyko running for deputy mayor of Selwyn Township

July 8, 2026

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

Megan Gallant - July 9, 2026

The boutique flower shop still takes online and over-the-phone orders and still offers same-day delivery across Peterborough County.

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

July 7, 2026

Wholly owned by Curve Lake First Nation, the Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan aquaponics facility combines aquaculture and hydroponics to grow lettuce, spinach, spring mix, and other produce as well as tilapia, a freshwater fish native to Africa. In addition to supporting food sovereignty for members of the Indigenous community, the facility has partnered with local grocery stores and Graze & Gather to sell its products, and is interested in joining the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale Program to increase wholesale distribution. (Photo courtesy of SMG Aquaponics Corp)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Curve Lake First Nation grows food sovereignty through year-round aquaponics facility

July 7, 2026

Peterborough County Tourism has designed four traveller personas that highlight different ways to experience The Kawarthas based on what you enjoy, what inspires you, and how you like to spend your time while you're visiting this region. The Otter represents families travelling with a purpose in mind, whether to explore nature, discover a hidden gem or a unique experience, learn about local history or culture, or just have meaningful fun. (Graphic: Peterborough County Tourism)

Travel like An Otter in The Kawarthas

June 30, 2026

Linlor Farm and Forest is one of many local food producers featured at the Havelock Farmer & Artisan Market in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township. They are members of Kawartha Choice FarmFresh, an economic development initiative supported by Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of Havelock Farmer & Artisan Market)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Havelock Farmer & Artisan Market grows sales with help from local agricultural programs

June 30, 2026

nightlifeNOW – July 9 to 15

kawarthaNOW - July 9, 2026

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

Legendary Canadian rock ensemble Lighthouse, featuring original members Paul Hoffert and Russ Little, bring their horn-heavy sound to Peterborough Musicfest for a free-admission concert at Del Crary Park on July 11, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Hoffert Communications)

Lighthouse’s remarkable staying power will be on full display at Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday night

July 9, 2026

Oil painter and educator Mary McLoughlin will be one of 52 artists participating in the 42nd annual free self-guided Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour presented by the Art Gallery of Peterborough. On September 26 and 27, 2026, artists across Peterborough and the Kawarthas will be inviting visitors into their studios to get a behind-the-scenes look at their process, learn from demonstrations, and browse or purchase their work. McLoughlin's studio at the Commerce Building in downtown Peterborough is Tour Stop 3. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)

Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour returns this fall with 52 artists at 42 studio locations

July 6, 2026

Veteran Canadian blues rocker Sass Jordan returns to Peterborough Musicfest for the third time to perform a free-admission concert in Del Crary Park on July 8, 2026. (Photo via Sass Jordan website)

Sass Jordan brings her unapologetic blues rock attitude to Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday night

July 5, 2026

Folk-pop trio Good Lovelies (Kerri Ough, Susan Passmore, and Caroline Brooks) return to Peterborough Musicfest for the first time in 12 years to perform a free-admission concert in Del Crary Park on July 4, 2026. (Photo: Jen Squires)

Good Lovelies bring their captivating harmonies back to Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday night

July 3, 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 10 to 16, 2026

kawarthaNOW - July 10, 2026

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

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

Victoria Park Beach in Cobourg. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)

The Beach Report for July 3 to 9, 2026

July 3, 2026

Peterborough and Area Master Gardeners mentored new gardeners of all ages at a Growing Together: Gardening Basics workshop on June 6, 2026 at GreenUP Ecology Park. Participants planted a range of herbs and vegetables into containers while connecting with others across multiple generations. (Photo: Andréanna Sullivan / GreenUP)

Growing Together workshop series brings generations together through gardening

July 2, 2026

Weather

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

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