“You’ve got to love all these outdoor festivals. But the best part is just spending time with family: watching the kids discover new things, trying a new food or ride, and of course being completely exhausted at the end of the day!” JENNIFER CULLEY
Canada is a state of mind as much as a country. Whether it’s a quiet hike through the forest, sharing a beer with friends after a long bike ride, or watching a child’s eyes as fireworks burst overhead, summertime and Canada Day somehow bring us together and make us count our blessings.
FESTIVALS & FESTIVITIES
PORT HOPE CANADA DAY CELEBRATION – Support downtown Port Hope while they undergo Main Street construction this summer. Shop Local and shop often. Memorial Park is where it’s at with concerts, wagon rides, yoga and opening ceremonies starting at 11:45am. porthope.ca
RCMP MUSICAL RIDE, COBOURG – Kick off the summer season with the RCMP Musical Ride on June 22 at Donegan Park. The Concert Band of Cobourg and Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums will be performing at the pre-show, starting at 3pm. Horse show at 3:30pm. experiencecobourg.ca
COBOURG WATERFRONT FESTIVAL – One of the region’s most celebrated summer festivals can be found along Cobourg’s waterfront, always the go-to of tourists and locals looking for a long weekend of music in the bandshell, the best local vendors, midway rides, breakfast in the park, refreshment tent – and don’t miss the fireworks Monday night! Saturday, June 29 – Monday, July 1, 10am – 10pm. FB@cobourgwaterfrontfestival
ALNWICK/HALDIMAND – Canada Day in Grafton will be celebrated at Haldimand Memorial Arena and Park with live music, a bouncy castle, a Civic Awards Presentation, and there’s even a Canada Day-themed cake! Sunday, June 23, 2 – 4pm. ahtwp.ca
TRENT HILLS CANADA DAY FESTIVITIES – The small towns of Warkworth, Campbellford and Hastings have big things happening on Canada Day – from a Teddy Bear parade to live entertainment and community parties. July 1, 8am – 12:30 pm in Campbellford’s Old Mill Park; 11am – 2pm at Warkworth’s Mill Creek Park; and 8am – 11pm in Hastings. visittrenthills.ca
BRIGHTON CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS – King Edward Park is the place to be for Canada Day. Join in the festivities to discover art, fabulous food trucks and family-friendly fun. There will also be music in Memorial Park from 7pm to 9pm. And then fireworks begin at dusk! brighton.ca
STIRLING – It’s all happening July 1st at the fairgrounds from 6 – 8:30pm starting with a free barbeque followed by a fireworks display. stirling-rawdon.com
BELLEVILLE WATERFRONT AND MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL – This festive long weekend happens after Canada Day but is well worth the wait. There’s food, there’s music, there’s a midway and loads of big fun. The Festival celebrates over four decades of bringing people together to sample cuisine from around the world, shop at the eclectic marketplace, ride the midway well into the evening, dance your feet off, meet new people, and just have some good old-fashioned fun! July 11 – 14. discoverbelleville.ca
QUINTE WEST CANADA DAY CELEBRATION – This family-friendly event brings back familiar favourites with the Trenton Lions Club pancake breakfast, Quinte West Pop Ups and an eclectic vendor village. And a day in Centennial Park wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the finest cuisine. Blades of Glory will be on hand for a medieval knight-fighting show and falconry demonstrations. Try your luck with axe-throwing or archery. Then top off the perfect day with fireworks over the bay! Monday July 1st, 7am to 10pm. quintewest.ca
PECELEBRATES FESTIVAL – This celebration of community, culture and Canada brings a week-long celebration to Prince Edward County. Join the activities across Wellington, Bloomfield and Picton’s Main Street for a fun-filled, family-friendly fête. June 24 – July 1. thecounty.ca
PARADES
ALNWICK/HALDIMAND – SUNDAY, JUNE 23 – 1 – 2pm with a Grafton-esque celebration afterwards at the Haldimand Memorial Arena and Park from 2 – 4pm. ahtwp.ca
COBOURG – Start your day with a parade on July 1 at 10am, with celebrations at Victoria Park starting at noon, followed by multicultural performances until 12:45pm and Canada Day entertainment at the Bandshell from 1pm until 9:30pm. Finish the evening with a spectacular fireworks display. experiencecobourg.ca
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY – Canada Day parades take many shapes and forms across the villages and towns that make up Prince Edward County. thecounty.ca
QUINTE WEST – Centennial Park is where it’s at with a parade starting at 11:45am from the Arena to the Pavilion. quintewest.ca
TRENT HILLS – A Teddy Bear parade kicks off the Canadian-themed festivities at Campbellford’s Old Mill Park. July 1 at 10am. visittrenthills.ca
“Where do I begin? Being outdoors on Canada Day is the best. Tire the kids out, build a campfire, roast some marshmallows, sleep under the stars, ride a bike, swim in the lake, catch frogs, birdwatch. Repeat.” JEREMY ADAMS
HIKING
GANARASKA FOREST – The 11,000-acre Ganaraska Forest provides ecological adventures for all levels of hikers. grca.on.ca
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY FOREST – With over 45 kilometres of hiking trails that tie into the Oak Ridges Hiking Trail, you can explore different types of terrain. The trails offer a variety of surroundings, including forest, wetland, sand barrens, woodland, savannah and tallgrass prairie. northumberland.ca
LOWER TRENT CONSERVATION – Meander through a marshland or stare in wonder as you stand in an old growth forest – just two of the many sights you’ll experience when you visit the Lower Trent’s 17 unique properties in the area. ltc.on.ca
PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK – Walk through the woodlands and meadows or follow the marsh boardwalk to catch sight of natural wonders from butterflies to migrating songbirds. ontarioparks.ca
QUINTE WEST TRAILS – With 85 kilometres of natural and groomed trails of every terrain, there is an opportunity around every corner for relaxing strolls or more vigorous fitness adventures. quintewest.ca
QUINTE CONSERVATION – Explore a number of natural areas throughout the Moira River, Napanee Region, Salmon River and Prince Edward Region that offer a range of hiking adventures to connect you with the outdoor world. quinteconservation.ca
BELLEVILLE TRAILS – For a breath of fresh air, stroll along the well-groomed recreation trails, parks, gardens and green spaces that are open year-round. belleville.ca
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY TRAILS – Renowned for its sandbanks and its Lake Ontario shoreline, the County is crisscrossed with trails for all ages and interests. visitthecounty.com
BIKING
MILLENNIUM TRAIL – The Millennium Trail in Prince Edward County covers 49 kilometres. It is built on an abandoned Canadian National Railway right-of-way. The trail passes through several towns, including Hillier, Wellington, Bloomfield, and Picton, connecting with the Bay of Quinte Rail Trail. thrivepec.ca
WATERFRONT TRAIL – Follow the rocky outcrops, the sandy beaches and the shaded groves of the vast and magnificent Lake Ontario shoreline. The 125-kilometre section of the Waterfront Trail between Port Hope and Picton is a comfortable ride for cyclists who are interested in history as much as exercise. ontariobybike.ca
TRANS-CANADA TRAIL – The Trans-Canada Trail is a series of connected railway rights-of-way that spans the entire country. Locally, it runs 80 kilometres from Hastings to Tweed. The trail provides a traffic-free way to bike and enjoy the varied countryside and farmland. Parts of the trail can be bumpy and are best suited for hybrid or mountain bikes. tctrail.ca Our local municipalities have mapped out great cycling routes that will lead you to all corners of the Watershed region. They stop at pubs and ice cream parlours; they take you up to breathtaking vistas and down through cool valleys. northumberlandtourism.com bayofquinte.bike visitthecounty.com
PARKS & CAMPING
NORTHUMBERLAND – You can find campsites in the rolling hills of Northumberland and beside the open waters of Lake Ontario or along the canals and locks of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Don’t forget there are also two provincial parks with campsites. northumberlandtourism.com
BAY OF QUINTE TOURISM – This Bay of Quinte Tourism website is your go-to guide to pitching your tent or toasting the perfect s’mores over a campfire. bayofquinte.ca
QUINTE CONSERVATION – Hook up your trailer and head to Depot Lakes, where 60 campsites are tucked in the woods waiting for you! Each site has drive-through access and a fire pit, and the campground has shower facilities and a drinking water refill station. quinteconservation.ca
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY – There’s more to PEC than just wineries and hipster foodie joints; check out these camping hotspots at Ontario’s favourite peninsula. hipcamp.com
ONTARIO PARKS – Looking for Ontario Parks information? You can reserve your spot and find out all the do’s and don’ts for onsite camping. ontarioparks.ca
Story by:
Jane Kelly
