Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
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 them in the next roundup.
Published weekly, and listed alphabetically by region, just in time to tee up your weekend plans.
Hometown Happenings August 7–9
Carleton Place events
Carleton Place Farmers’ Market
Saturdays at the Carleton Place Farmers’ Market in Market Square on Beckwith Street. The outdoor market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and features local produce, meats, baked goods, maple products, flowers, artisan goods, and handmade crafts throughout the summer season. More information is available at carletonplacefarmersmarket.ca
Jammin’ at the Junction
Thursday, Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m., at Carleton Junction, 42 Moore St. Mark Mulligan takes the stage for this free outdoor concert. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of live music.
Kemptville events
Kemptville Farmers’ Market
Sundays, the Kemptville Farmers’ Market is held at 200 Sanders St. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market features local produce, baked goods, handmade products and community vendors throughout the season.
McDonald’s Corners events
McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Society Farmers Market
Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall, 194 Cameron’s Rd. The farmers market runs every Sunday and features local vendors and products.
Merrickville events
Merrickville Fair
Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Merrickville Fairgrounds, 446 Main St. W. The annual fair returns with agricultural exhibits, entertainment, midway attractions and family activities throughout the weekend. Admission is $15. Children five and under are admitted free.
Outerbridge Magic: Mysteries of the Keyhole House
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 p.m., at The Pews, 100 St. Lawrence St. Experience Ted and Marion Outerbridge’s acclaimed illusion show. Tickets are available online.
Mississippi Mills events
Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival
Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, in downtown Almonte. The biennial festival returns with more than 70 performances by world-class puppet troupes in seven theatres, along with daily parades, free street entertainment, a marketplace, children’s activities and family fun throughout the downtown. Festival hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Day and weekend passes are available. Puppets Up!
Almonte Farmers’ Market
Saturdays at the Almonte Farmers’ Market beside the Almonte library at 155 High St. The outdoor market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with local produce, baking, meats, maple products, flowers, artisan goods and handmade items throughout the season. The 2026 market season runs to Thanksgiving weekend. More information is available at almontefarmersmarket.com.
Perth Ontario events
Perth Lions Garlic Festival
Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Perth Fairgrounds, 50 Arthur St. Admission is $5. Enjoy live music, vendors, cooking demonstrations, a beer tent, Birds of Prey shows and plenty of garlic-inspired foods.
Perth Farmers’ Market
Saturdays at Perth Farmers Market in the Tay Basin at Crystal Palace, 31 Basin Ln., Perth. The outdoor market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the season and features local produce, baking, meats, preserves, artisan goods, crafts and live music. The 2026 season runs Saturdays to Thanksgiving weekend, with additional Harvest and Christmas markets planned later in the year. More information is available through Perth Farmers Market
Port Elmsley events
The Port Elmsley Drive-In, 333 Port Elmsley Rd., has another full weekend of movies. On Thursday, Aug. 6, gates and the grill open at 7:30 p.m. with a 9:10 p.m. showtime featuring Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG) and Backrooms (14A). Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older, $6 for children five to 12, or $30 for carload night. On Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, gates and the grill open at 7:30 p.m. with a 9 p.m. showtime featuring Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PG) and Toy Story 5 (G). Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older and $6 for children five to 12.
Rideau Lakes events
Crosby Flea Market
Saturdays in Crosby from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning May 18. Located at the intersection of Highways 15 and 42 between Smiths Falls and Kingston, the Crosby Flea Market features baked goods, preserves, jewelry, maple syrup, antiques, household and garage sale items, crafts, toys, books, movies and more. A food stand is also on site, with locally grown vegetables to be added as they come into season.
Crosby G. Varley Gallery
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 12 Narrows Lock Rd., Crosby. The gallery features original oil, watercolour and acrylic paintings.
Crosby Stevenson Farms
Located at 360 Narrows Lock Rd., about two kilometres north of Crosby, past the Varley Art Gallery. Stevenson Farms offers locally raised lamb produced through an ethical farming system with no herbicides, pesticides or steroids. Products are sold frozen and packaged at the farm. Organic vegetables are also available in season.
Smiths Falls events
Smiths Falls Pride Weekend
Pride celebrations begin Thursday, Aug. 6, with Gaymes Night at 7 p.m. at The Falls Food Hub, 25 Chambers St., featuring an evening of games, laughter and friendly competition. On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Pride Parade steps off from Town Hall, 77 Beckwith St., at 11 a.m. before making its way to Centennial Park for a day of music, food, vendors and family-friendly entertainment. The celebration continues with the 19+ Pride Afterglow drag show and dance at 8 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 7 Main St. E., followed by Drag Bingo at 9 p.m. at Bowie’s, 20 Russell St. E. The weekend wraps up Sunday, Aug. 9, with a Pride Movie Matinee at the Smiths Falls Community Theatre, 53 Victoria Ave., featuring the 2014 film Pride, based on the true story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners during the 1984 U.K. miners’ strike. Admission is $5.
Movies Under the Stars
Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m., at Centennial Park beneath the water tower. The featured film is How to Train Your Dragon (2025). Little Ray’s Nature Centre will provide the pre-show entertainment beginning at 7 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Weather permitting.
Smiths Falls By the Rideau Market
Friday, Aug. 7, 3 to 7 p.m., at Lower Reach Park, Old Slys Rd. Browse fresh produce, baked goods, artisan products and more at the weekly market, now under new management and at its new location.
Pop-Up Clog Dancing 101
Friday, Aug. 7, 6 to 6:30 p.m., at Lower Reach Park. Learn the basics of clog dancing in this free, family-friendly session for ages eight to 108. Bring sneakers and water.
Let’s Roll!
Friday, Aug. 7, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Smiths Falls Youth Arena, 71A Lansdowne St. Roller skating returns for all ages. Admission is $2. Bring your own roller skates. Helmets are required for those 18 and under and recommended for everyone.
Bake and Book Sale
Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Trinity United Church, 41 Market St. Browse a selection of books and homemade baked goods while supporting the church.
Summer Train Rides
Sunday, Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St. W. Ride in a historic caboose, explore the museum and enjoy an afternoon of railway history. Tickets are $16 and include museum admission. Available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Toledo events
Sunday Country Dance
Sunday, Aug. 9, at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 475, 320 County Rd. 8. Doors open at 1 p.m., dancing featuring Hillbilly Highway runs from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by a full-course dinner at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person.
Westport events
Westport Market
Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Westport Market, 38 Concession St. Browse fresh produce, baked goods, artisan crafts and locally made products at the weekly outdoor market.
Live Music at The Cove Inn
Saturday, Aug. 8, 5 to 8 p.m., at The Cove Inn, 2 Bedford St. Enjoy a performance by the Ottawa Guitar Trio on the waterside patio. Tickets are $20. On Sunday, Aug. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m., Head over Heels takes the stage for a free afternoon of live music.
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