Friday, August 7, 2026

From PorchFest to petting zoos: Hometown Happenings your weekend guide close to home

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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 it in the next Hometown Happenings roundup. Published every Thursday, alphabetically by region, just in time to tee up your weekend plans.

Hometown Happenings Sept. 12 – 14

Almonte (Mississippi Mills)

Almonte Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beside the library on High Street. Local produce, crafts, food and sharpshooting knife sharpening. 

Beckwith

Harvest Festival on of the events listed in Hometown Happenings
Photo courtesy of Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce.

Lanark County Harvest Festival
Sunday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Beckwith Park, 1218 9th Line Beckwith. Live music, cultural displays, culinary delights, farmers and artisans. There will also be a petting zoo, wagon rides and bouncy castles for the kids. Free admission. 

Carleton Place

Carleton Place Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Market Square Pavilion, 7 Beckwith Street. Local produce, baking and handmade treasures. 

Ukrainian Festival
Saturday, Sept. 13, Riverside Park, noon to 8 p.m.
Celebrate Ukrainian culture through food, music, and community at this year’s Ukrainian Festival in Lanark County. Enjoy traditional dishes, artisan vendors, live performances, family activities and more. A special fundraising effort will support the Kids of Ukraine Project to help children affected by war. 

PorchFest
Saturday, Sept. 13, (Rain date Sept. 20) on Carleton Place porches and driveways, 1 to 4 p.m. This inaugural festival will feature performers from across the Ottawa Valley offering folk, country, blues, jazz, rock and more. Guests are invited to explore the community on foot or by bike, choosing their own route using a digital map. A rain date is set for Sept. 20.

Take Back the Night
Thursday, Sept. 18, 5 to 8 p.m. behind Town Hall. Speakers, vigil and march through town. Bus to Parliament Hill at 6 p.m. to march there. Reserve your free seat on the bus here

Merrickville

Makers Market
Saturday, Sept. 13, Merrickville Fairgrounds. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Showcasing all handmade wares. Best place to find everything made from the heart.

Grounding with Horses
Sunday Sept. 14 10 a.m. to noon with Kathy Moffat at Rideau Breeze Stables, 906 Rideau River Road, Merrickville. 

Perth

Perth Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Crystal Palace. Riverside setting with produce, prepared foods and artisan crafts.

Terry Fox Run
Sunday, Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Register at Conlon Farm. Start time is 10:30 a.m. The 2.5km route is family safe and accessible. Dogs on a leash are welcome. 

Smiths Falls

Open Air Market
Friday, Sept. 12, 3 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Park, 2-22 Confederation Dr. Pick up some produce, check out the crafters and artisans. Food available on site. 

Downtown Music Festival
Saturday, Sept. 13, listen to the sounds of Greenhouse Revival 1 p.m. at the Town Square Bandstand, 77 Beckwith St. (Beside Town Hall). 2:30PM – Claude Munson at Russell St. E. Stage; 4PM – River City Junction at Davidson Courtyard; 6PM – The One Eyed Dawgs; 8PM – The Road Apples take the stage and rock the night away! Ticketed event. See the website for info. 

Toledo

Soup and Sandwich Lunch
Sunday, Sept. 14, noon to 1 p.m.
St. Andrew’s United Church Hall, Toledo. Adults, $15, children 10 and under, $6. Soup sandwich and dessert. Cheese and pickles. Proceeds to the church. 

Westport

Live at the Cove
* Friday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. Jason Kent
* Saturday, Sept. 14, 5 to 8 p.m. Head Over Heels
* Monday, Sept. 15, 5 to 8 p.m. Zach Teal
* Tuesday, Sept. 16, 5 to 8 p.m. Henry Norwood
* Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Shawn McCullough plays live as the host of the “Wings ‘n Tunes” night.
* Thursday, Sept. 18, 5 to 8 p.m. Kevin Head


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

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