Kawartha Fall Festival
The first-ever Kawartha Fall Festival will kick off on Saturday, October 1, 2022 and runs until Monday, October 10.
This new, free family event will feature a week of family-friendly activities, special guests, up-close animal encounters, guided hikes, and more.
There is no cost for any of the events or activities (though some require registration as some events have a maximum number of participants). We are also collecting non-perishable food items for the Kawartha Lakes Food Source.
If you're planning on attending the Kawartha Fall Festival, we appreciate any non-perishable food item donations to help support others in our community.
October 1 & 2
On Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, Jake Charles from First Nation's Cultural Tours will lead visitors in a 'cultural show and tell' circle. Visitors will gather around a camp fire, learn about the importance of the Drum, shakers, traditional clothing, and other crafts. Jake will also lead visitors in some traditional songs. This is an interactive show designed to build understanding between cultures. On Saturday, October 1, Jake Charles will be on hand from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for the cultural show and tell circle, and on Sunday, October 2, Jake Charles will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
October 1
Waterfowl Birding with Rob Stavinga
Join Kawartha Conservation Watershed Resources Technician Rob Stavinga for a fun and informative Waterfowl Birding guided hike at Ken Reid Conservation Area. This is a free event, though registration is required as space is limited to ensure an intimate and interactive experience.
The Waterfowl Birding walk will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Scales Nature Park
Join Scales Nature Park at Ken Reid Conservation Area on Saturday, October 1 for an engaging and educational hands-on reptile and amphibian experience from 12:30pm to 2pm. Visitors will learn fun facts and information about amphibians and reptiles from Scales Nature Park staff, as well as have the opportunity to interact with several animals up-close during the second half of the program.
This is a free event that does not require registration.
Music at the Park with Freddie Caveen and Edmund Stay
Call on your friends, bring a lawn chair, and gather around the campfire for some acoustic tunes by Freddie Caveen and Edmund Stay at Ken Reid Conservation Area on Saturday, October 1 from 5:15 to 7pm at the Group Camp.
Following the end of their performances, attendees are invited on stage for an open jam session to close off the event. Please note that this event is acoustic only.
Explore the Night Sky - UPDATE
Due to cloudy conditions, the Night Sky event planned for this evening will be moved indoors, into the Kawartha Conservation event space for an interactive presentation. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend.
Join members of the Peterborough Astronomical Association for a virtual, interactive tour of the night sky.
October 2
Birds of Prey demonstration
Royal Canadian Falconry will be on hand for an educational, informative and entertaining 90 minute Birds of Prey demonstration, beginning at 12 noon.
The Birds of Prey demonstration will take place near the former beach area at Ken Reid Conservation Area. Visitors and their families will enjoy seeing six birds of prey and in-flight demonstrations.
Zoo to You Wildlife Display Show
Join Zoo to You at Ken Reid Conservation Area on Sunday, October 2 for the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals up close, making friends with reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, while learning fun facts along the way. This is a free event that takes place from 1:45 to 2:45pm.
October 3
Mushroom Walk with Jan Thornhill
Join fungi expert Jan Thornhill for an exciting and informational mushroom walk amongst the forests of Ken Reid Conservation Area. Between 9:30 and 11:30am, participants will wander along the trails, stop to observe different types of mushrooms, learning fun facts about their characteristics and habitat along the way.
This is a free event, though registration is required as space is limited to ensure an intimate and interactive experience.
October 4
Waterfowl Birding with Rob Stavinga
Join Kawartha Conservation Watershed Resources Technician Rob Stavinga for a fun and informative Waterfowl Birding guided hike at Ken Reid Conservation Area. This is a free event, though registration is required as space is limited to ensure an intimate and interactive experience.
The Waterfowl Birding walk will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
October 5
Guided Nature Hike
Join nature guide Rebecca Pomeroy for a refreshing and relaxing hike along the trails of Ken Reid Conservation Area on Wednesday, October 5 from 1pm to 3pm. Participants will travel along the Cedar Loop and Point Loop trails, exploring and learning about various trees, plants, and fungi along the way.
This is a free event, with limited space. Please register to ensure your participation.
Storytime, Crafts and Games with the Kawartha Lakes Public Library
Join the Kawartha Lakes Public Library for a nature-themed storytime, fall leaf headband craft, bubble machine and more at Ken Reid Conservation Area on Wednesday, October 5. Storytime, Crafts, and Games with the Kawartha Lakes Public Library will be held at the former beach and playground area from 10:30am to 11:30am.
October 6
Natural Dyeing Workshop
Join Sustainable Roots Ecological Restoration Inc. from 1pm to 3pm on Thursday, October 6 at Ken Reid Conservation Area for an outdoor workshop that explores the characteristics and uses of Common Buckthorn, an invasive species in Ontario. The goal of this workshop is to guide participants towards connection with the natural world through stewardship and hands-on learning.
Participants will learn about the basics of natural dyeing (fabrics, mordants, methods), as well as identifying invasive species and other dye plants, how to harvest and process Common Buckthorn berries, create a dye bath and dye fabric, and then take home their botanically dyed cloth.
This is a free event that requires registration.
October 7
Movie Night in the Park: The Lorax
Gather your friends and family on the night of Friday, October 7 for an outdoor movie night experience featuring the popular children's movie 'The Lorax' at Ken Reid Conservation Area. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be offered for free at the event, and it is recommended that attendees bring their own foldable lawn chairs and blankets for the viewing.
The viewing will take place from 7pm to 8:45pm.
Christmas at Ken Reid
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 3, 2022 for the return of Christmas at Ken Reid. This is a FREE family event that is offered at Ken Reid Conservation Area each year on the first Saturday in December.
Activities are free to families and visitors (donations are appreciated and welcomed) and include horse drawn wagon rides, Christmas scavenger hunt, kids craft corner, Christmas story walks, visits with Santa Claus, musical entertainment, hot beverages and much more.
Interactive Cultural Experience
Jake Charles from First Nation's Cultural Tours will once again join visitors at Christmas at Ken Reid to lead visitors in a 'cultural show and tell' circle. Visitors will gather around a camp fire, learn about the importance of the Drum, shakers, traditional clothing, and other crafts.
Much like the Kawartha Fall Festival, Jake will also lead visitors in some traditional songs, while creating an interactive experience designed to build understanding between cultures.
If you are a business or organization that would like to get involved and help support this wonderful community event, please email Rebecca Pomeroy or call 705-328-2271 ext. 120.