Hometown Happenings: Weekend events you can’t miss close to home

LAURIE WEIR

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered with a list of weekend events.

Hometown Happenings is your go-to list of markets, music, festivals, fundraisers, and good old-fashioned community fun happening in Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Almonte, Montague, Merrickville, North Grenville, Rideau Lakes, Westport, and points in between.

Got an event to share?
Send the details to ljweir@pdgmedia.ca and we’ll do our best to include it in the next roundup.

Published every Thursday, alphabetically by region, just in time to tee up your weekend plans.

Almonte (Mississippi Mills)

Almonte Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beside the library on High Street. Local produce, crafts, food and sharpshooting knife sharpening. 

Beckwith

Sunday, Aug. 10. 1 to 2 p.m. Skating at the Beckwith Recreation Complex. Cost is $2 per person. 

Carleton Place

Carleton Place Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Market Square Pavilion, 7 Beckwith Street. Local produce, baking and handmade treasures. 

Storytime in the Museum Gardens
Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 am, Ages 2-5. Meet us at the Museum on 267 Edmund Street in Carleton Place for stories, songs and more. Please bring something to sit on if the grass is still damp. If it rains, they will hold storytime at the library instead.

Clay Garden Workshop
Saturday, Aug. 9, free clay garden workshops for kids and adults at the Carleton Place RONA. The adult workshop is from 10-11 a.m. and the children’s workshop is from 2-3 p.m. Adults will sculpt garden markers and accessories.  Children will sculpt animals.  Everyone gets to decorate a clay pot and plant an annual.  

Perth

Perth Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 9, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Crystal Palace. Riverside setting with produce, prepared foods and artisan crafts. 

Saturday, Aug. 9: Special Olympics Soccer Tournament at Conlon Farm. Cheer on athletes in this inspiring day of sport.

Smiths Falls

Movies Under the Stars, Centennial Park
Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., The Wild Robot and more Old Home Week happenings with the Night Shirt Parade, starting at 5 p.m. at the Youth Arena. It will end at Centennial Park where everyone can partake in pre-show activities. Don’t forget your blanket, a chair, and bug spray. 

Old Home Week
Aug. 2-9. It’s what we’ve been waiting for 25 years to return. This celebration of community, history and hometown pride continues through the weekend. It’s a celebration that reconnects past residents and newcomers alike. Visit the website for more info. 

Downtown Music Series
Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 to 12 noon, the Junk Yard Symphony, then from 12 to 3 p.m. it’s the King of the Swingers. Location: Main Street West stage. 

Swap Days
Aug. 8-10. Help reduce waste by giving away things that are in good condition. Go on a treasure hunt for new-to-you items. Mark items as free and set them up at the curb. 

Westport

Westport Market
Saturday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 38 Concession Rd., Westport. Enjoy local produce and products in this open-air market setting. 

Live at the Cove
* Friday, Aug. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. listen to the Jeff Callery.
* Saturday, Aug. 9, 5 to 8 p.m. Amanda Keeley Trio.
* Sunday, Aug. 10, 5 to 8 p.m. Head over Heels.

Keep up to date with all Hometown Happenings. Have an event to submit? Send it to ljweir@pdgmedia.ca