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

Public Energy Performing Arts is partnering with Sara Porter Productions to present "Bad Poetry: Live in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough" for two performances on October 30 and 31, 2026 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough. Featuring musical accompaniment by musician Benj Rowland, Sara Porter's upbeat performance combines lecture-demonstration, contemporary dance performance, and queer clowning to explore how failing can lead to self-acceptance. (Photo: Omer Yukseker)

Sara Porter celebrates the art of getting it wrong in ‘Bad Poetry’ at The Theatre on King

Presented by Public Energy, the playful mix of poetry, dance, and queer clowning comes to Peterborough October 30 and 31 with musical accompaniment by Benj Rowland

Megan Gallant - October 24, 2026

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. (Photo: SIU)

SIU investigating death of man in Lindsay who fled Kawartha Lakes police and drowned early Friday morning

The Peterborough Police Service's headquarters at 500 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

Peterborough joins growing list of police services in Ontario suspending use of Crime Stoppers

Lakelands Public Health's associate medical officer of health Dr. Maxwell Tran (top right) provided an update on the fall respiratory illness season to the board of health during its meeting in Port Hope on October 21, 2026. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of YouTube video)

Lakelands Public Health says flu and COVID-19 vaccines for general public available starting October 26

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario president and CEO Andrew Siegwart presents the organization's Attraction of the Year award to The Canadian Canoe Museum's marketing and communications manager Jaimie Eastabrook during the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala on October 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum)

The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough named Ontario’s Attraction of the Year

Museum takes top honour at 2026 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence after welcoming more than 116,000 visitors at its new lakefront home in 2025

kawarthaNOW - October 23, 2026

David Feeley of Cogeco YourTV receiving the 2026 Business Citizen of the Year award from Susan Dunkley, board chair of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, at the annual Business Excellence Awards gala at Kawartha Downs in Fraserville on October 22, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce)

Cogeco’s David Feeley named Peterborough’s 2026 Business Citizen of the Year

Kelli Marshall performs a traditional jingle dance during an event to commemorate Red Dress Day at Peterborough City Hall on May 5, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

Survey seeks to understand urban Indigenous community’s priorities for cultural spaces in Peterborough

Peterborough indie alt-rockers The Dead Crowd (Tina Romo, Peter Romo, Adam Murray, Tim van de Ven, and Lauren Hughes), who just released their debut five-song EP, are performing at Eldorado Music Bar & Social Pub in downtown Peterborough on Saturday night along with Toronto alt-rockers Whisper Gang. (Photo: The Dead Crowd)

nightlifeNOW – October 22 to 28

The Kawartha Art Gallery is hosting a grand opening of its new home at 19 Cambridge Street South in downtown Lindsay on November 20, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Art Gallery)

Kawartha Art Gallery finally ready to open its new permanent home in downtown Lindsay

Grand opening on November 20 will celebrate completion of long-planned move to historic Cambridge Street South building

Bruce Head - October 22, 2026

Rob Arkell, mission leader for the Wild Again initiative at Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough, accepts a used item at the trade-in desk, where customers can keep high-quality products in circulation by trading in their used merchandise for store credit. This credit can be used to purchase new or used products, or the trade-in value can be donated to the organization's ComPassion Project. (Photo: Jeff Faulds / Wild Rock Outfitters)

From outdoor gear to farm soil, Peterborough businesses put the circular economy into practice

Volunteers with Kawartha Food Share are delivering flyers to homes across the City of Peterborough in advance of this year's "Porch Pirates for Good" fall food drive on October 24, 2026. Residents are asked to leave a bag or box of non-perishable food items on their front porch by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Attach the flyer to the donation or otherwise mark it so volunteers collecting the donation can easily spot it from the street. (Photo: Kawartha Food Share / Facebook)

‘Porch Pirates for Good’ fall food drive for Kawartha Food Share returns October 24

The Peterborough City Hall sign. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

‘Peterborough Vote Tracker’ gives voters a look at councillors’ records ahead of October 26 election

SIU investigating death of man in Lindsay who fled Kawartha Lakes police and drowned early Friday morning

kawarthaNOW - October 23, 2026

57-year-old man was being pursued in connection with a break and enter when he entered the entered Scugog River near Lindsay Street Bridge.

Peterborough joins growing list of police services in Ontario suspending use of Crime Stoppers

October 23, 2026

Lakelands Public Health says flu and COVID-19 vaccines for general public available starting October 26

October 23, 2026

The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough named Ontario’s Attraction of the Year

October 23, 2026

Survey seeks to understand urban Indigenous community’s priorities for cultural spaces in Peterborough

October 22, 2026

Kawartha Localist: 10 small businesses worth celebrating in the greater Kawarthas

Megan Gallant - October 19, 2026

For Small Business Week, discover local shops, makers, farms, and creative spaces that support their communities while offering something special.

Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal presents a certificate of recognition of five years of family ownership from the City of Peterborough to The Venue owners April Sendel (left) and Kevin Sendel (second from right) and general manager Tiffany Daskewich (right) during a celebration at the downtown Peterborough event space on October 13, 2026. (Photo: Joshua Gillis)

The Venue in downtown Peterborough celebrates five years of family ownership

October 16, 2026

This week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 10 must-try sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas region as selected by our readers, including at The Grape and Wedge in Apsley, Muster Point in Bobcaygeon, Mindful Crowe Lunchbox in Marmora, Milk and Honey Eatery in Lindsay, Tobi's Grab and Go Sandwiches in Bancroft, the Cardiff Country Store, Corner Bites Eatery in Lindsay, Sam's Place in Peterborough, The Counter on King in Colborne, and Wattle & Daub in Bancroft. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Sink your teeth into 10 standout sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas

October 13, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 14 family-friendly activities and destinations across the greater Kawarthas region for the Thanksgiving long weekend, including the Fenelon Falls Turkey Trot and the Northumberland Turkey Trot, Duff Acres in Keene, the Buckhorn Harvest Craft Show, Back Forty Farmstead near Bancroft, the Norwood Fall Fair, Harvest Market in Stirling and other local farmers' markets, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and Kawartha Dairy, Sir Sam's in Haliburton County, Robin's Nest Farm Market in Warkworth, Ganaraska River in Northumberland County, Leahy's Farm and Market in Douro-Dummer, Frosted Flour Co. in Port Hope, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: 14 things to do with your family on Thanksgiving weekend across the greater Kawarthas

October 6, 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 Fox is an adrenaline-seeking traveller who craves new adventures and challenges, especially in nature, and also relishes learning about the places and people around them during their travels. (Graphic: Peterborough County Tourism)

Travel like A Fox in The Kawarthas

October 3, 2026

Sara Porter celebrates the art of getting it wrong in ‘Bad Poetry’ at The Theatre on King

Megan Gallant - October 24, 2026

Presented by Public Energy, the playful mix of poetry, dance, and queer clowning comes to Peterborough October 30 and 31 with musical accompaniment by Benj Rowland.

nightlifeNOW – October 22 to 28

October 22, 2026

Melanie Buddle, board chair for the ReFrame Film Festival, speaks during a preview and donor appreciation event held at Ashburnham Ale House in Peterborough on October 18, 2026. During the event, donors, supports, and volunteers welcomed new creative director Ryan Barnett, saw a preview of films that will be featured during the 2027 festival, and learned more about the recently updated strategic plan, which is focused on ensuring the festival's sustainability. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)

ReFrame offers first glimpse of 2027 film festival at donor appreciation event

October 20, 2026

encoreNOW for October 19, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Taylor Lovelace's "I'm Every Woman" Whitney Houston tribute at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre, the Northumberland Players' production of Kristen Da Silva's comedy "Hurry Hard" at the Best Western in Cobourg, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra's season-opening "Strength + Sparkle" concert at Peterborough's Showplace Performance Centre, Public Energy's presentation of Sara Porter's "Bad Poetry" at Peterborough's The Theatre on King, the Peterborough Theatre Guild's production of the First World War drama "Bluebirds" at the Guild Hall in Peterborough's East City, and Roch Voisine's tribute to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot at Showplace. (kawarthaNOW collage)

‘Bluebirds’ at the Peterborough Theatre Guild tells the story of three Canadian nurses in World War I France

October 17, 2026

Cogeco’s David Feeley named Peterborough’s 2026 Business Citizen of the Year

Bruce Head - October 23, 2026

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce honoured businesses, organizations, and individuals across 18 categories at October 22 gala at Kawartha Downs.

From outdoor gear to farm soil, Peterborough businesses put the circular economy into practice

October 22, 2026

For Small Business Week 2026, the Innovation Cluster is opening its downtown Peterborough workspace to local entrepreneurs, professionals, and small business owners for a free day of coworking on Wednesday, October 21. Participants can use hot desks, high-top tables, and shared work areas, with coffee and light snacks provided, while learning more about the Innovation Cluster’s workspace and membership options. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

Small Business Week brings workshops, networking, and celebrations to Peterborough and the Kawarthas

October 16, 2026

One of the region's largest suppliers and processors of steel, aluminum, brass, and plastic materials, Kawartha Metals Corp. in Peterborough is receiving $500,000 from the federal government toward a $1-million project to expand its advanced steel-processing capabilities through specialized equipment. The company is one of 10 in Eastern Ontario receiving a total of nearly $6.6 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to modernize operations, strengthen competitiveness, and expand products and services. (Photo: Kawartha Metals Corp.)

Five businesses in the Kawarthas region receive more than $2.5 million in federal funding

October 15, 2026

Jeff Menzies and Bill Harris of Kawartha Ethanol with Michael Skinner and Jamie Mason of Miranda Water Technologies at Kawartha Ethanol's Havelock facility during an industrial wastewater treatment pilot using Miranda's MC200 Miracell Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) system, which removed more than 98 per cent of targeted contaminants under tested operating conditions. (Photo courtesy of Miranda Water Technologies)

Kawartha Ethanol in Havelock to buy Miranda Water Technologies system after successful wastewater pilot

October 13, 2026

Healthy school-year routines start with small steps at home

Dr. Thomas Piggott - October 19, 2026

Lakelands Public Health's medical officer of health highlights sleep, screen limits, nutritious food, and outdoor activity as families navigate stress and financial pressures.

October is Walktober - a month to highlight the benefits of walking - as well as the month in which municipal elections are happening. Ensuring safe conditions support active transportation around schools, hospitals, recreation centres, and retirement homes are often the responsibilities of the local government. (Photo: Pete Rellinger)

This Walktober, consider how your municipal vote shapes the streets you walk

October 15, 2026

A recently completed garage project built through Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre's Beaver Homes & Cottages program. The program offers more than 500 pre-designed garages and carriage homes, which can be altered to fit each customer's lifestyle and preferences. In addition to providing premium-grade materials for the build, the program includes support from a local consultant to finalize designs, navigate permits, and find a local contractor. (Photo courtesy of Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre)

Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre helps bring your dream garage to life

October 11, 2026

Heat pumps are installed and maintained by Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) businesses like 123 HVAC, based in Selwyn Township and serving the broader Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes region. Owner Cory Rawn (left), pictured with business partner Mike Baker, dispels some common myths about heat pumps in advance of GreenUP's inaugural Heat Pump Week from October 13 to 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy of 123 HVAC)

Too noisy, too costly, too cold? A local HVAC contractor addresses common myths about heat pumps

October 8, 2026

Hannah Bailey, an early childhood educator who works as Quality Inclusion Coach at Five Counties Children's Centre, with her son Max and husband Tom. During the free "Listen With Love" concerts on October 20 and 21, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, Hannah will share in story and song her own family's inclusion journey, shaped by Max, who was born with a rare genetic condition. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)

‘Listen with Love’ concerts on October 20 and 21 bring a family’s journey of inclusion to the Market Hall stage

October 7, 2026

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