OUtdoor fun

Wellington Lions Club
Dragon Boat Races, August 13
Fierce dragon boats are on the move again, with teams from Kingston, Brighton and further afield. Their dragon drummers will urge them on, rowers will strain and make their boats fly through the water, crowds will cheer. Enjoy the race and other waterfront activities in and around Wellington Harbour on August 13. Call 613-399-3081 for details.

Horse and Pony Show, August 14
Prince Edward Horse and Pony Club Show at Picton Fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m on August 14. Come and watch halter, jumping, English and Western performances plus Western games. Good fun for all ages, free admission. And don't forget to watch the action at our terrific skate park at the fairgrounds, too! Too young to hotdog? There's a little kids playground right beside it. Visit the Facebook Page for details.

Sandbanks Lakeshore Lodge Day, August 17
It's a summer tradition, an annual celebration of one of the County's most beautiful spots. A guided walk in the morning followed by a re-creation of an 1890's picnic in the afternoon! Old-fashioned games, music, a corn roast and lemonade, then sleepily enjoy evening entertainment. There's a nominal charge for refreshments. August 17 at 1 PM Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Celebrate Cycling in Prince Edward County,
August 20. Explore the Taste & Arts trail by bike. Free bike tours of various lengths. Bring your own bike or rent one.

Enjoy bike themed live entertainment, Mr Something Something and their pedal powered Soundcycle generator, plus Bedford unicycles. Bike expo and tasty foods. Bike Train & accommodation packages available. Saturday, August 20. 11am-5pm. Wellington Park, Main St. Click here for info, or call 1-866-333-4491

Hillier Park Day, August 20
Each of our hamlets and villages takes at least one day off to just kick back and enjoy some good family fun in a local park. On August 20 it's Hillier's turn, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jack Taylor Park just off the Loyalist Parkway in Hillier. Ask anyone and they'll point the way to a day of music, games and magic, with a petting zoo, refreshments and more.

On stage

Macbeth - Blood in the Park, August 5
Driftwood Theatre presents Shakespeare's Macbeth, the bloody tale of a ruthless Scottish soldier who seizes power with help from a scheming wife and a trio of witches. Ontario's beloved outdoor summer theatre tradition brings its exciting and accessible production to the Mill Pond Park in Bloomfield. Driftwood performances are Pay-what-you-can ($15 is much appreciated!) and the actors roll in to the County for a Friday, August 5 performance at 7:30 p.m at the Bloomfield Millpond under the stars. Call the Summer Hotline: 905-576-2396 or visit the website for details.

The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw by Peter Anderson & John Millard, August 2 - 27. In this comical and clever reworking of the Faust legend, a simple country boy by the name of Weedy Peetstraw sells his soul to the devil in order to play the banjo. It's a little bit silly, a little bit bluegrass and a whole lot of fun!

This show will be playing from August 2 - 27, outdoors under a grand tent, at Rosehall Run Vineyards in Wellington. Click here for more info. For tickets please contact the Box Office at 613-471-1991/1-866-584-1991 or in person at Books & Co. (289 Main Street, Picton) or buy online today.

Sounding Ground
Sounding Ground is a series of five short audio plays; while listening to these plays on an audio device you'll embark on a walking journey around Picton. The audience is taken on an adventure that starts and ends at Books and Company in Picton. Each audience group (two people at a time) will set off ten minutes apart, and their journey through the five brief plays will take them on a walkabout through the town.

Playing Friday - Monday, July 2 - October 2. Click here for more info. For tickets please contact the Box Office at 613-471-1991/1-866-584-1991 or in person at Books & Co. (289 Main Street, Picton) or buy online today.

Theatre in the Park, August 10 and 24
Join us for our popular camp-style musical theatre. Two short plays, full of music, laughter and mystery, will depict Sandbanks' rich natural and cultural history. These presentations are great for the whole family! Suggested donation of $1/person ($5/family). Refreshments available.

Wednesdays, August 10 and 24th starting at dusk at the amphitheatre in Sandbanks.

Music in the county

Chamber Music Festival, August 5 - 12.
Music at Port Milford students and faculty continue their popular summer concert series on two August Friday evenings. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Picton. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, available from Books & Co. Picton; Quinte Arts Council, Belleville; The Novel Idea, Kingston. August 5 and 12. Call 613-476-7647 for more info.

Jazz Festival! August 17 - 21.
Celebrating its 11th year, the Prince Edward County Arts Council's largest signature event features internationally acclaimed musicians performing in over 32 satellite locations around the County. Phew! Yes, folks, the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival got BIG! But it still nurtures roots and beginnings with an annual Rising Young Star Award - and the winner gets to be a featured guest at the main stage performances.

There are dozens of fabulous performers, shows and happenings from August 17 to 21. Read all about it, and get ticket information at www.pecjazz.org.

Barley Days Jazz BBQ, August 17
The Waring House team loves a party, and if you love jazz and good wine and beer this kick-off event for the 2011 Jazz Festival is the place to be. The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with wine & beer tasting in the garden followed by dinner in the Waring Hall at 6:30. It's show time at 8:00 p.m. when the Bob DeAngelis 'All-Stars' smack it up into high-gear with the first concert of this great five-day festival – and some of the best jazz you'll hear anywhere.

August 17. Tickets: $55 from Regent Theatre Box Office, 613-476-8416 ext. 28 or 1-877-411-4761.

Jazz at Glenwood Chapel, August 20
A part of the 2011 Prince Edward County Jazz Festival.

Saturday, August 20, starting at 10:00am. Vern Dorge & Dave Barton, Glenwood Cemetery, 47 Ferguson Street, Picton.

Ian Tyson at The Regent, August 25
Authentic, durable, legendary - yes, that describes the Regent, but the great Canadian musician Ian Tyson, too. In the tough world of show business Tyson has survived and excelled for five decades, starting with the beloved folk duo of Ian and Sylvia in the 1960's and culminating with his Cowboy-ography collection that went platinum. What a guy. What a show.

August 25 at the Regent Theatre. 8:00 p.m. Tickets $50 from the Regent box office, 613-476-8416 ext. 28 www.theregenttheatre.org

COUNTY HISTORY

Cars that make you go Oooooooh! August 5-7
If you love classic cars, or just fancy sitting in a well-polished old wagon, come to the 37th Annual Prince Edward Auto Club Street Meet. This three-day family-oriented event offers refreshments, displays and great old cars. Primarily for 1979 and older vehicles, but with classes for trucks, special interest, pro street/race and modern muscle.

August 5 to 7. Ameliasburgh Museum, 517 County Rd. 19. 613-968-9678

Rose House Museum Fish Fry, August 6
There are people who attend EVERY fish fry in the County! They can't get enough of that fresh County white fish, and the Rose House fry is one of the best. If you missed the others, come on down and enjoy this annual tradition.

August 6 at the Rose House Museum on the road to Waupoos. 3333 County Rd. 8. 613-476-5439.

Miss SuperTest 50th Anniversary, August 6-8
Canada Post is launching a stamp to commemorative the amazing feats of the Canadian racing boat Miss Supertest. Many of those feats were achieved in the waters off Prince Edward County. The three Miss Supertest boats set water speed records and won three consecutive Harmsworth Trophies (1959-60-61). It's the 50th anniversary of her last defense of her title in County waters and we're celebrating. Displays of antique and classic boats, including Miss Supertest III; and a documentary at the Regent Theatre.

Aug 6-8. For details of all the events, click here.

Kids at The Victory Saturday Mornings
The Archives and Collections Society offers summer programming for children ages 7-11 every Saturday morning 9:00 a.m. to noon. Children learn about marine and local history through interactive presentations, then enjoy related art, craft, music, drama, and writing activities. Pirates, Vikings, pioneers, and shipwrecks!

Cost is $2 per day. Register at The Victory on 205 Main St., Picton, or call (613) 476-1177 or email ACS@AandC.org.

Markets

Kids & Carrots - A Youthful Farmers Market
Saturday mornings throughout the summer, a special farmers market in Bloomfield features young County farmers, growers and producers. Step right up to their market stalls for fresh veg, fruits, honey, crafts and a whole lot of youthful enthusiasm at The Kids are Alright! Bloomfield United Church starting at 9:00 a.m.

Milford Marketplace
Talking of fresh vegetables and fruit, gorgeous home-baked pies, cookies, breads and more, knitting and quilting and soaps and all those other great things that clever country people make by hand - you'll find it all at the Milford Fairgrounds. Just watch for the spire of Mt. Tabor Playhouse by the bridge in the village of Milford. Every Saturday until Thanksgiving.

Summer Artisan Market in the Royal Walkway, August 20
A European style market in the characterful "alleyway" beside the old Royal Hotel featuring local arts, crafts and fresh produce. The market will be closed if it's a heavy rainy day.

August 20th, 11am to 4pm. Visit experiencepicton.com for details.

 

Art

Clic: Eastern Ontario Photo Show, August 1-7
The second annual juried photography show takes place in the light, and airy exhibition space upstairs at Books & Company in Picton. Open to all amateur and professional Eastern Ontario photographers, this show encourages young snappers with a special youth category and awards prizes for adult and student, colour and black and white entries.

Admission: Adults $2.00 / Children age 12 and under FREE. Open July 30 - Aug 6 10 AM - 6 PM and Aug 7 - 10 AM to 2 PM. Books & Co. 289 Main St., Picton. Click here for more information, or call 613-471-1283, or e-mail.

Art and Food Collaboration Launches in Prince Edward County, August 6
On Saturday, August 6th, renowned Canadian encaustic artist, Susan Wallis and Cynthia Peters, food writer and owner of From the Farm Cooking School, will launch a one of a kind art cookbook, "The Art of Herbs". The cookbook is a collection of Wallis' new Garden Series of herb encaustic paintings (the ancient medium of mixing oil pigment with molten wax) paired with herb infused recipes from personal chef, Cynthia Peters.

Opening celebration of Wallis' paintings and the book launch will take place at Mad Dog Gallery from 7-9pm., 525 County Road 11. 613 476-7744. The book will be available for sale at Books and Company and other selected retailers throughout the County starting August 8th, in Toronto at The Cookbook Store and online through From the Farm's web site, www.fromthefarm.ca. Part of the proceeds of the book will benefit the Buy Local Share Local program of the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

Art in the Heart of the County
Artists in the County are a welcoming bunch, but four in particular - Andrew Csafordi, Tara Wilkinson, Kirei Samuel and Viola Michalska - extend a special invitation to explore, shop and enjoy their studios in the heart of the County in August. The four are clustered close to award-winning Huff Estates Inn & Winery just outside Bloomfield, and their work includes Encaustic Sculptural Painting, Fibre, Glass, Jewellery and Porcelain.

This mini-tour is especially inviting for cyclists (water, maps, first aid, bike repair kits are available) and earned a thumbs up from the Welcome Cyclists Network. Kirei and her LaLaLand Studio are at 2371 Cty Rd. 1, across from the entrance to Huff Estates for exciting glass jewellery and homewares. Tara and Andrew work in mixed media, fibre and encaustic at 54 Wilson Rd. That's the first left off Hway 62 just north of Huffs. And at 1264b Hwy 62, Viola is a free-spirited, creative potter specializing in dazzling porcelain dinnerware. See www.artintheheartofthecounty.com for details.

Events at the Wineries
From art shows to live music, poetry readings and story-telling - it's been a bumper year for events in the vineyards.

Check out what's happening at the County's wineries by visiting their individual websites. A quick way of finding them all is to visit www.thecountywines.com.

And what if it rains?

There's been some interesting weather lately, from the absolute best sunny summer days to incredible pouring rain. It's always beautiful in Prince Edward County, but you might want a few ideas for what to do with the kids when the heavens open.

We know one happy family that ceremoniously hands each small child a $5 bill and challenges them to see how far it will go in Giant Tiger or the vast Dollar Store in Picton.

Others prefer to settle into a matinee movie at the Regent, or visit one of our many museums. County libraries have lots going on for toddlers to teens. And do you really need the sun to enjoy a water park? Check out westlakewillywaterpark.com.

The Courthouse in Picton is a chilling history-filled place with the gallows in the basement still intact. Contact Peter Lockyer, founder of History Lives Here, for details. 613-476-3356 and visit historyliveshere.ca.

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COMING IN SEPTEMBER

Prince Edward County Gravity Fest - September 17 - 18

Prince Edward County Music Festival - September 16 - 24

Rednersville Road Art Tour - September 3 - 5

TASTE! - September 24

PEC Studio Tour - September 16 - 18