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 every Thursday, and listed alphabetically by region, just in time to tee up your weekend plans.
Hometown Happenings May 15–18
Almonte events
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.
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.
Franktown events
Franktown Lilac Festival
Saturday, May 23 at Centennial Hall, 152 Church St., Franktown. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come for the fragrant blooms and stay for the food, music and small-town charm at its most colourful. Bring your lawn chair.
Kemptville events
Kemptville Farmers’ Market
Sundays, the Kemptville Farmer’s 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.
Lombardy events
Barn Dance & Hip of Beef BBQ
Saturday, May 23 at the Lombardy Agricultural Society Hall, 6 Kellys Rd., Lombardy. The 11th annual Barn Dance & Hip of Beef BBQ features Highway Sunrise. Dinner and dance is $40. Dance only is $20. Dinner starts at 4:30 p.m., auction at 7 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m.
Perth Ontario events
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 from May 9 to Thanksgiving weekend, with additional Harvest and Christmas markets planned later in the year. More information is available through Perth Farmers Market
AC/DC Tribute
Saturday, May 23 at Farrell Hall, 186 Gore St., Perth. Show starts at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are $35 through Tickets Please. Tickets at the door are $40. This is a 19-plus event.
Port Elmsley events
Drive-In Double Feature
Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 at the Port Elmsley Drive-In, 333 Port Elmsley Rd. Double feature includes The Mandalorian & Grogu (PG) and The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG). Gates and grill open at 7:30 p.m. Showtime is 8:55 p.m. Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older and $6 for children ages five to 12.
Rideau Lakes events
Rideau Ferry Afternoon Tea
Saturday, May 23 at Bethel United Church Rideau Ferry, 1500 Rideau Ferry Rd. Sittings are at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Advance tickets are $30 and quantities are limited.
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 By The Rideau Market Opening Day
Friday, May 22 at Lower Reach Park, Old Slys Rd., from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Smiths Falls By The Rideau Market is under new management and operating from a new location. The market runs every Friday until Oct. 2.
Wing Night at the Pavillion
Friday, May 22 at the Smiths Falls Kinsmen Club Pavillion, Lower Reach Park, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dine in or take out. One pound of wings with fries and side garnish is $17.
May Movie Weekend: Wuthering Heights
Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 at the Smiths Falls Community Theatre, 53 Victoria Ave. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door only.
Open Singles Dart Tournament
Friday, May 22 at the Royal Canadian Legion Smiths Falls, 7 Main St. E. Tournament starts at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per player. For more information contact Angela at 613-668-4403 by text or call.
The Best Live Stand-Up Comedy featuring Jim McNally
Friday, May 22 at the Smiths Falls Curling & Squash Club, 13 Old Sly’s Rd. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24 plus HST.
Plant Sale
Saturday, May 23 at the Royal Canadian Legion Smiths Falls, 7 Main St. E. Plant auction begins at 9:30 a.m. Plant sale starts at 10 a.m. and continues until sold out. Perennials and annuals available. Hosted by the Smiths Falls Horticultural Society.
Bike Safety Rodeo
Saturday, May 23 at the Youth Arena, 71 Cornelia St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free to join with prizes, emergency services demonstrations, snacks and a free barbecue lunch.
Plant Swap
Saturday, May 23 on the Smiths Falls Public Library lawn, 81 Beckwith St. N., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take a plant and leave a plant. Houseplants, perennials, seedlings, seeds and shrubs welcome.
Spring Carnival
Sunday, May 24 at the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, 11 Old Sly’s Rd., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is by donation. Features include performances by the Smiths Falls Community Band and Rideau Cloggers, along with a bouncy castle, face painting, petting zoo, vendor market, outdoor games, heritage demonstrations and more.
Jamboree & Dinner
Sunday, May 24 at the Smiths Falls Legion, 7 Main St. E. Music runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. Dinner and dance is $20. Dance only is $5. Entertainers are $10. Cash bar open.
Westport events
Krista Hartman Live at The Cove
Friday, May 22 at The Cove Inn, 2 Bedford St., Westport, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Krista Hartman brings her heartfelt songwriting and live performance to the patio. Hartman has released four albums and recorded a duet with Ron Sexsmith.
Saturdays at the Westport Market
Saturday, May 23 at the Westport Market, 38 Concession St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The open-air outdoor market runs every Saturday from May 16 to Aug. 29 and features local vendors, artisans and seasonal products throughout the summer.
EcoFest Westport 2026
Saturday, May 23 throughout downtown Westport and The Cove Inn grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event features live music, speakers, artisans, vendors, exhibits, electric vehicles, natural building demonstrations, native plants, sustainable living displays and a kids zone. Activities include printmaking, canoe rides, presentations, poetry, wildlife exhibits and more.
River City Junction at The Cove
Saturday, May 23 at The Cove Inn, 2 Bedford St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a live performance by River City Junction following EcoFest celebrations. Suggested cover is $10.
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