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 8–10
McDonald’s Corners events
3rd Annual Mother’s Day Madness Market
Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McDonald’s Corners Agricultural Hall, 194 Camerons Rd., McDonald’s Corners. The event features an indoor artisan and craft market, outdoor bird and small animal sale, and breakfast for $20 per person. For more information email mdcas.office.gmail.com.
Merrickville events
Dance Event with Special Guest Cajon and Hollow Bodies
Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Merrickville Community Centre, 106 Read St., Merrickville. Enjoy an afternoon of live music and dancing featuring special guests Cajon and Hollow Bodies. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. Presented by the Merrickville Firefighter Association.
Mississippi Mills events
Art in the Attic
Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 at the Almonte Old Town Hall. Browse original works from accomplished, emerging and student artists during this annual Mother’s Day weekend art show hosted by the Almonte & Area Artists Association. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Union Hall
Sunday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Union Hall in Almonte. Treat Mom to a free community brunch hosted at the historic hall, with reservations encouraged through Tickets Please.
Sivarulrasa Gallery Exhibition: Dale Dunning – Early Works
On display until May 15 at Sivarulrasa Gallery. The exhibition features a curated selection of bronze sculptures created by acclaimed Canadian artist Dale Dunning between 1978 and 2004, showcasing more than four decades of work from his foundry near Almonte. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum Exhibitions: Carole Baillargeon – Rock Paper Scissors and Tartan: Culture & Cloth
On display until July 26 at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte. The dual exhibitions explore contemporary textile art, heritage and identity through sculpture, handmade paper, felted installations and the global history of tartan. Museum hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Vodkow Mother’s Day Market
Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vodkow Distillery, 34 Industrial Dr., Almonte. Shop more than 25 local vendors, artisans and makers during this Mother’s Day market featuring food, cocktails, live music and gift ideas for Mom.
Mother’s Day Tea
Sunday, May 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Almonte Civitan Hall, 500 Almonte St. Celebrate Mother’s Day with an afternoon of tea, treats, music and community hosted by the Almonte Civitan Club. Tickets are $20 including HST, with free admission for children under eight.
Perth Ontario events
Perth Farmers’ Market Opens Saturday!
Saturdays from May 9 to Thanksgiving weekend from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crystal Palace and Tay Basin in downtown Perth. The weekly market features fresh produce, meats, baking, preserves, flowers, artisan goods, prepared foods and live music from more than 40 local vendors. Special harvest and Christmas markets are also planned later in the season.
Port Elmsley events
Port Elmsley Drive-In Opening Weekend
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at Port Elmsley Drive-In Theatre, 333 Port Elmsley Rd. Opening weekend features screenings of “The Sheep Detectives” (PG) at 8:35 p.m., followed by “Project Hail Mary” (PG). Gates and grill open at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
Smiths Falls events
Smiths Falls Job & Volunteer Fair
Thursday, May 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Youth Arena, 71A Lansdowne St., Smiths Falls. Job seekers and volunteers can connect with local employers, organizations and community groups during this community fair.
SFDCI Plant Sale
Friday, May 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, 299 Percy St. Follow the signs to the dome for a wide selection of flowers, vegetables, herbs and more. Students have planted more than 2,000 seedlings. Plants are priced from $3 to $5. Cash only.
Smiths Falls Civitan Spring Craft, Bake & Yard Sale
Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Smiths Falls Civitan Club Hall, 12468 Hwy. 15 N. Browse crafts, baking, household items and treasures during this annual spring fundraiser. For more information email infosmithsfallscivitanclub@gmail.com.
Mushroom Compost Sale
Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the REAL Deal Store parking lot, 85 William St. W., Smiths Falls. Mushroom compost will be available for $10 per bag, with proceeds supporting the life and work of Trinity United Church.
Red Dress event
Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m. at Town Hall in Smiths Falls in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People during this year’s Red Dress Day event organized by local advocate Flora Riley. The day includes speakers, ceremony and opportunities for reflection and remembrance aimed at raising awareness and supporting healing and reconciliation. Participants are encouraged to wear red.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea
Sunday, May 10 at 1 p.m. at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St. W. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a traditional afternoon tea inside the museum’s 1899 dining car. Tickets were available through Eventbrite and the event is now sold out.
Westport events
Westport Community-Wide Yard Sale
Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout downtown Westport. Residents and visitors are invited to shop the village-wide yard sale featuring household treasures, antiques, collectibles, clothing and more. Participants interested in joining the sale can contact Elaine Bill at blackdogwestport@gmail.com.
Blues at The Cove with Blackburn Brothers
Saturday, May 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Cove Inn. The popular Blues at The Cove series welcomes Toronto’s Blackburn Brothers for an evening of high-powered soul, funk and blues before the band heads out on its European tour. The event includes dinner, live music and support for a local charity. Tickets are $95.
Westport Legion Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 542, 10099 County Rd. 10. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a brunch featuring scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, pancakes, baked beans, fruit, croissants, muffins, coffee, tea and juice. Tickets are $15.
Mother’s Day at The Cove
Sunday, May 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Cove Inn. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special brunch and dinner menu at the lakeside inn, featuring a meal designed to honour the special mother figures in your life.
Sundays with Eric & Meghan
Sunday, May 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Cove Inn, 2 Bedford St. Enjoy an evening of live acoustic folk music with Meghan Balogh and Eric Uren performing fiddle and guitar favourites during the inn’s weekly Sunday music series.
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