MUST PHOTO OP
Create a feel-good keepsake for the festive season: Starting in November, the century-old barn at Andara Gallery in Bloomfield will be dressed up for a free holiday photo shoot, which features a 16-foot Christmas tree (decked out to the nines) from Denmar Farms. Book a time, bring your camera or phone, and photograph yourself with a pet, a friend or the whole family – in exchange, make a donation to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back The Build campaign. The third annual photo event is part of the gallery’s Ode to Joy art exhibition and sale, so enjoy the tree, the trimmings and the show.
Andara Gallery
54 Wilson Road, Bloomfield
November 12 – December 19, 12noon to 4pm
visitpec.ca/pt_events/andara-gallerys-3rd-annual-holiday-photo-in-the-barn/
MUST MARVEL
The Ganaraska River that begins in the headwaters of the Northumberland hills is one of the healthiest rivers that feeds into Lake Ontario at Port Hope. And from late summer through to early October, you can see the wild salmon struggle upstream to breed. Their natal homing instinct drives them to return to the same streams where they were hatched. About 5,000 to 10,000 chinook and silvery coho salmon come to the fish ladder at Corbett’s Dam in Port Hope every year (officially called the Ganaraska River Fishway) – the best viewing spot to cheer them on.
From September to October
visitporthope.ca/en/things-to-do/fish-migration.aspx
MUST HIKE
The brilliance of the oranges, reds and yellows can take your breath away. Fall is the perfect time to immerse yourself in nature, and those forest trails are calling! Get outside to see the changing fall leaves up close and personal on a hike. Keep your eyes open for rabbits, owls, hawks or wild turkeys! And come prepared for a great experience: comfortable layers, supportive shoes with some grip on the soles, water and snacks like dried fruit or trail mix. Don’t forget your phone for photos and ID-ing plants and bugs.
Fave hiking spots in Watershed Country:
Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area
224 County Road 8, Picton
quinteconservation.ca/en/outdoor-spaces/macaulay-mountain-conservation-area.aspx
Sandbanks Provincial Park
3004 County Road 12, Picton
www.ontarioparks.com/park/sandbanks
Potter’s Creek Conservation Area
2061 County Road 2, Belleville
Northumberland County Forest
101 Beagle Club Road, Harwood
www.northumberland.ca/en/discovering-and-exploring/northumberland-county-forest.aspx
Nawautin Nature Sanctuary
100 Keewatin Drive, Grafton
facebook.com/NawautinNatureSanctuary
MUST EXPLORE
Brighton’s Presqu’ile Provincial Park is turning 100 this year! The park began as a summer destination catering to tourists from Rochester. Learn about the park’s colourful history at the interpretive centre – tales of shipwrecks, mysterious disappearances and big band jazz at the dance pavilion – and see the second-oldest, still-operational lighthouse in Ontario. The park is known for conservation initiatives too, so explore the birding and wildlife habitats, Monarch butterfly tagging, hikes, family camping and, yes, amazing sandy beaches.
MUST HOP
Ready to sip, dip and groove to the music? Local finely crafted brews and ciders will be flowing this fall at the next Hops on the Water event in the heart of downtown Trenton. This is a family friendly day for live entertainment, free-spirited buskers and the best of the Bay of Quinte region’s unique food and drink. Chat with producers to discover their favourites, and sample their specialty pop-up creations for the day. The first 2,000 people through the gate will get a custom Hops on the Water commemorative glass – a souvenir to toast the merry-making to come!
Front Street Farmers’ Market, Trenton
Saturday, October 1 from 11am – 7pm
quintewest.ca/tourism-events/city-events/hops-on-the-water/
MUST CARE
Last spring’s fierce derecho blew through the Ganaraska Forest, a popular hiking and field trip destination for students, downing trees and damaging trails in its wake. Centre operators from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority are taking the opportunity to redesign the trails and rebuild the beaver pond areas to make them more accessible for everyone. Bonus: recent funding from 100+ Women Who Care Northumberland will support the project and buy equipment to allow wheelchair access for kids to collect pond samples and be part of the hands-on experience.
