💼 Long Weekend Thrills

Good morning, PTBO! Labour Day long weekend is here and the air has that first hint of fall. Evenings are cooler, the geese are starting their practice flights, and every park bench feels like it comes with a free breeze. It’s the perfect mix of summer’s last call and autumn sneaking through the back door.

In today’s PTBO Brief:

Let's get to it.

— M&B

Peterborough Transit is making its seasonal changes starting Sunday with later service, school runs, and Trent routes back in action. Route 5 Parkway and Route 6 Sherbrooke both get late night service until April, Route 7 Lansdowne adds back its Fleming College rush hour trip, and Route 11 Water is back for Trent students until 2026. A handful of high school trips are returning too.

City Council has signed off on rezoning 90 Hunter St. E. to make way for a 17-storey mixed-use tower. The project will bring 205 apartments and ground floor commercial space to the site currently home to Mark Street United Church, which will stay on a smaller lot. East City is no stranger to big builds lately, but this one will be the tallest yet.

City services shift to holiday mode this Monday. City Hall, Social Services, the library, Art Gallery, child care centres, and most arenas will be closed, while garbage collection stays on schedule but the landfill and hazardous waste depot are shut. Transit runs on a Sunday/holiday schedule, the airport and marina stay open, and parking is free across city lots and meters. The Wellness Centre and the Miskin Law Arena will both be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Museum and Archives opens at noon, splash pads run until evening, and the Riverview Park and Zoo is open all day.

🥜 Kelcey’s Nutrition Centre Closing: After 44 years in business, Kelcey’s Nutrition Centre on Hunter Street East is preparing to shut its doors by mid September. Bill and Kim Kelcey are clearing out stock with discounts, but the real rush is for their homemade peanut butter - ground fresh in store and beloved across Peterborough. Loyal customers are stocking up before the lights go out, marking the end of an East City staple that’s been keeping the community healthy for decades.

🍺 Remembering Jim Kakouros: Peterborough is mourning the loss of Riley’s Pub owner, Jim Kakouros, who passed at 54 after a two year battle with cancer. Known for his warmth and generosity, Jim made Riley’s more than a pub, he made it a community. His passing is a true loss for the city. The pub shared the news on Facebook Thursday morning, asking the community to give the family space as they grieve. Funeral details will be announced at a later time.

🚗 Schnell’s VW Closes: After more than 20 years of keeping Volkswagens and Audis on the road, Schnell’s VW Parts & Service has closed its doors on Highway 7. Google now lists the shop as permanently closed, and community chatter points to owner Randy Schnell retiring. Known for fair prices, trusted service, and a loyal customer base, Schnell’s leaves behind a reputation as one of the best mechanics in the area.

📸 @petesohlhockey 📍Memorial Centre
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Events marked with (Tickets/$) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

🤠 Country Line Dancing Night: Rolling Grape Vineyard brings back its hit line dancing party with teacher Julie Fallis leading the floor. Expect wine, wood-fired pizza, and plenty of cowboy boots. 5 PM Rolling Grape Vineyard ($)

🙏 Goodnews Festival: The 7th annual gospel gathering begins with three nights of worship, music, and community at Del Crary Park. Running all Labour Day weekend, the festival brings together churches and groups from across the region for revival, healing, and unity. 6 PM Del Crary Park

🎭 Theatre Fundraiser Showcase: Dreams of Beans hosts a night of live music, stand-up, and improv in support of local independent theatre. Performers include My Fair Lady, VanCamp, Collin Chepeka, Madison Sayers, Marc Ludwig, and more. 7 PM Dreams of Beans

💜 International Overdose Awareness Day: A community gathering at Millennium Park to honour and remember loved ones lost to drug poisoning and substance related illness. The event runs with space for reflection and support. 1 PM Millennium Park

🎭 Wild Irish Geese: Megan Murphy’s play about the Irish emigrants who settled in the Peterborough area in 1825 is nearing its final curtain. This weekend is your last chance to see it before the run ends Sunday. 6 PM 4th Line Theatre ($)

🎲 Pingo at the Pig’s Ear: Three games, three prizes, and a whole lot of laughs as Gord hosts late night Pingo at one of Peterborough’s favourite pubs. 10 PM The Pig’s Ear Tavern

🤠 Country Night at Junction: Country Night is back it brings boots, denim, and a dance floor full of country hits. Cold drinks, good vibes, and plenty of two-steppin’ to close out the summer. 10 PM Junction Nightclub

🐷 Harley Farms Tour: Take a behind the scenes walk through Harley Farms to see pigs and sheep up close and learn how the animals are raised naturally. Tours run about an hour, with tickets $8 per person and kids under 3 free. 11:30 AM Harley Farms

🎒 Ruck n Rise: Weekly community rucks are on - ahead of the 4th annual Peterborough Rucksack March for Remembrance. Extra packs and weight vests are available if you want to give rucking a try, or just come out for a walk and good conversation. Everyone’s welcome as the group raises awareness for mental health. 9 AM Nichols Oval

🏁 Championship Night: Peterborough Speedway crowns its 2025 Track Champions with every division hitting the track plus the return of the wild Non-Winners Races. Expect high-stakes action, full grandstands, and plenty of bragging rights on the line. 4 PM Peterborough Speedway

🛍 Warehouse Clearout Sale: Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo is opening the doors for a one-day blowout with new items, clearance deals, and no tax. Shop single pieces or stock up in bulk while supplies last. 8 AM Ricart Peterborough

🎀 Pink at the Track Night: Kawartha Downs hosts a special evening of harness racing in support of cancer awareness. Wear pink, cheer on the horses, and help raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society while enjoying one of the biggest nights of the season. 6 PM Kawartha Downs

🧘‍♀️ Yoga at the Park: Flow into your weekend with a free outdoor class, part of the Saturday Farmers Market series. This week Salti Yoga leads the session — just bring your mat or borrow one on site. 10 AM Quaker Park

🥕 Farmers’ Markets Saturday: Start your morning market hopping with the Farmers’ Market at the Memorial Centre parking lot, then wander downtown to the Regional Farmers’ Market at Quaker Park. Fresh produce, baked goods, and plenty of local finds at both stops. 7 AM Memorial Centre + 8 AM Quaker Foods City Square

💃 Ladies Night: Honky Tonk Angel heats up with a Magic Mike style show perfect for birthdays, bachelorettes, or just a night out with the girls. Gather the crew and make it one to remember. 9 PM Honky Tonk Angel ($)

🍔 Goodnews Festival + BBQ: The final evening features a free community BBQ followed by worship and gospel music. 4 PM Del Crary Park

🎤 Karaoke + Open Mic: Step up for a song or test out a new tune while the crowd cheers you on. Solo acts, duos, and first timers all welcome. 8 PM McThirsty’s

🏒 Petes Preseason: The Peterborough Petes face off against the Erie Otters in their second home preseason matchup, giving fans an early look at the 2025 squad. 2:05 PM Memorial Centre ($)

🎨 Wine and Paint Night: Uncork your creativity with a guided evening of painting, sipping, and good company. Bring a bottle of your favourite wine and let it fuel your brushstrokes, the featured piece changes each month, so every canvas tells a new story. 6 PM Busy Brushes ($)

This happy go lucky pup has bounced back from a tough start and is now all smiles, love, and tail wags. She thrives on affection, adores meeting new people, and carries a joy that makes everyone feel special. If you’re looking for a fun, affectionate companion to brighten your days, Piper’s your girl. To Adopt

Hugh Beresford | 100 Acre Brewing Co | 5 PM
Chris Devlin | Black Horse Pub | 5 PM
Derrick Seed | Crook & Coffer | 7:30 PM
Brisk Recharge | Puck ‘N Pint | 8 PM
David Shewchuk | Jethro’s Bar | 8 PM
Jordan Thomas | McThirsty’s Pint | 9 PM
Jay Diem Band | Black Horse Pub | 9 PM
The Space Heaters | Jethro’s Bar | 10 PM

Rod Macdonald | Crook & Coffer | 2:30 PM
Sean Jamieson | 100 Acre Brewing Co | 5 PM
Rick & Gailie | Black Horse Pub | 5 PM
Bob Butcher | Chemong Lodge | 6 PM
Washboard Hank | Springville Tap n’ Grill | 6 PM
Jimmy Breslin | Crook & Coffer | 7:30 PM
High Waters Band | Puck ’N Pint | 8 PM
SAVV4X | The Venue | 8 PM | Tickets
Chris Collins | McThirsty’s Pint | 9 PM
All Bark No Bite, Free Couch, Emanuel | Pig’s Ear Tavern | 9 PM
HBH | Black Horse Pub | 9 PM
Tapes in Motion | Jethro’s Bar | 10 PM

Cale Crow | Rolling Grape Vineyard | 2 PM
Blues Jam | Jethro’s Bar | 3 PM
Dennis O’Toole & Old Soul | Black Horse Pub | 4 PM
The Silver Hearts | Jethro’s Bar | 8 PM

The Eastenders | 100 Acre Brewing Co | 3 PM
Crash & Burn w/ Rick & Gailie | Black Horse Pub | 7 PM

You stay classy Peterborough, and thank you again for reading!

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