Events Calendar

Memorial Centre Farmer's Market Grand Opening

On Sunday, May 20, the Memorial Centre Farmers Market opens at 303 York St. for the first time ever. The new Market will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday until October 21. The farmers market will feature a large assortment of agricultural produce, prepared/baked food products, crafts and ready-to-eat food.

For more information please visit www.memorialcentrefarmersmarket.com.

Location: Memorial Centre, 303 York St.

Kids Perch Derby

Children 12 and under accompanied by a parent or guardian can register by noon to participate in the Kids Perch Derby presented by Kingston Police and the Kingston and District Rod and Gun Club. For more information call Mike 613-888-9020, outdoorsports@ctc417.com.

Location: Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, 53 Yonge St.

Public Works Open House

Check out the view from the Driver's seat of a snow plow or street sweeper. Children (and their parents) always enjoy this annual opportunity to get an up-close look at a wide variety of City vehicles and meet some of the people who make Kingston work.

Location: Public Works Yard, 701 Division St.

First Capital Day Celebrations

See history come alive through live music and dance, demonstrations, and interactive displays. Experience life in First Capital-era Kingston through spinning and weaving, butter churning, rope-making, Victorian toys and games, and military musters. See an old time medicine show, go on an architectural scavenger hunt, dress up in period costumes, take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the old 'King's Town'. Some activities require prebooking. School groups must book ahead for guided wagon rides (in french or english) Voyaguer Canoe rides.

A full schedule of events is available at www.cityofkingston.ca/firstcapital. Call 613-546-4291 ext. 1715 for more information.

Location: Confederation Park

Doors Open Kingston

Visit a variety of sites throughout the City of Kingston as they open their doors to the public to showcase amazing architecure and design, historical collections and a glimpse inside Kingston's landmark buildings. All sites are open to the public free of charge throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (unless otherwise noted in their site description). Watch for details as they become available at Doors Open Ontario events page Call 546-4291 ext. 1716.

Open Garden Tour

Gardens Open features the winning gardens of the 2011 Kingston Blooms Program. Stroll through some of Kingston's award winning gardens, and meet many of the home owners who lovingly paint nature's landscape with vivid colours, textures and fragrance. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 on the day. Call for details on this exciting event 613-546-4291 ext. 1716 (Trails Open is also happening on this same day — details as they become available).

Advance tickets and tour booklets are available at participating locations.

War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations

The Flight of the Royal George will be reenacted in Kingston Harbour. Watch for details - Celebrate 1812 Signature Events page.

Canada Day

Confederation Park/City Hall - The Limestone Mile race starts at 8:30 a.m. March in the the Red and White people parade from Barrie and Princess down to the Park starting at 11a.m. It's followed by a civic ceremony, a sail past, and live music all afternoon and evening in Confederation Park. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.

Grass Creek Park - Highway 2 (16 km east of the LaSalle Causeway). Activities run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring your family to Grass Creek Park in Kingston East, and celebrate with a variety of family-oriented activities, air castles, games, live entertainment, beach volleyball, etc.

Buskers Rendezvous

Watch the Downtown Kingston website for information on this festival of street entertainment: www.downtownkingston.ca

Kingston Area Recycling Centre Open House

The Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC) at 196 Lappan's Lane will be holding tours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come see what happens to the materials you put in your Grey and Blue Boxes! Don't forget to bring your household hazardous waste items with you to drop off. Visit www.cityofkingston.ca/hhw for more information about household hazardous waste.

Location: 196 Lappan's Lane

Kingston Dragon Boat Festival

Join in the fun as a team member or just watch the fun from the shoreline at this fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club. Visit www.kingstondbfestival.com for details.

Location: Douglas R. Fluhrer Park (Inner Harbour)

Princess St. Promenade

Watch for details of this street festival on the Downtown Kingston website: www.downtownkingston.ca

Location: Princess Street from Barrie to Ontario Street.

K-Town Triathlon

Watch as athletes from around the world run, bike and swim from Confederation Park. www.ktowntri.com

Location: Confederation Park

25th Anniversary Kingston Sheep Dog Trials and Canadian National Championships

Come out and celebrate 25 yrs of sheep dog trials! More than 100 of North America's top trialling teams will participate in the Kingston Sheep Dog Trial, the third largest trial in North America. The trials run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and the event also offers a variety of K9 and other animal side attractions, food concessions, a craft and artisans fair, an interactive kids activity area and much more. You'll enjoy some brand new and exciting side attractions this year in addition to your annual favourites! Watch for details as they become available. Sponsorship opportunities available. Call 546-4291 ext. 1715 or go to www.cityofkingston.ca/sheepdog.

Location: Grass Creek Park, 2991 Highway 2

1000 Islands Poker Run

Kingston will play host to powerboats from across Canada as they compete over three days. Live entertainment, and lots of action-packed excitement! See the Downtown Kingston website for details: www.downtownkingston.ca

Limestone City Blues Festival

For details visit www.kingstonblues.com.

Fare on the Square

Kingston Market Vendors sponsor this local food festival in Springer Market Square. See the Downtown Kingston website for details at www.downtownkingston.ca or www.kingstonpublicmarket.ca

Location: Springer Market Square

Fall Recreation & Leisure Showcase

There's tons to see and do Kingston this fall and winter! Come out and let over 90 community organizations show you how to get fit, have fun, stay active, learn a new sport, take art lessons, you name it! Registrations, demonstrations, free admission. Bring the whole family, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Location: Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, 53 Yonge St.

Chilifest

For Chilifest details, a fundraiser for Hospice Pailliative Care, see www.chilifest.ca.

Location: Confederation Park

Kingston Area Recycling Centre Open House

The Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC) at 196 Lappan's Lane will be holding tours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come see what happens to the materials you put in your Grey and Blue Boxes! Don't forget to bring your household hazardous waste items with you to drop off. Visit www.cityofkingston.ca/hhw for more information about household hazardous waste.

Location: 196 Lappan's Lane

Civic Service of Remembrance

Kingston Remembers! A civic ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph. Wreath laying by community groups at 9:15 a.m. Military and Veterans groups at 10 a.m. followed by the civic ceremony and the official wreath laying by dignitaries and the Silver Cross recipient at 10:45 a.m.

Location: Cenotaph, Barrie & King Streets

Nighttime Santa Claus Parade

An evening Santa Claus Parade. Come on out and enjoy the lights and magic of the season! For details, see the Downtown Kingston website: www.downtownkingston.ca

Jingle Bell Walk

Take an early evening walk from Springer Market Square to City Park to see the lighting of the trees.

Location: Springer Market Square and City Park

K-Town Countdown

A family-oriented celebration of the New Year that will excite young and old alike. Held both indoors and outdoors, from 5 to 9 p.m., the event features horse drawn wagon rides, live entertainment, free skating on the K-Rock ice, and a variety of ongoing activities of interest to all ages. Proceeds from hot chocolate go to PRO Kids. The whole evening culminates in a fantastic fireworks finale! It's fun and it's all FREE!

Location: K-Rock Centre, 1 Barrack St.