Good morning, L&A.
Canada Day is Wednesday, with local options ranging from a full daytime festival in Bath to fireworks in Napanee, island traditions on Amherst Island, and village parades in Stone Mills.
Two quick Sunday notes:
🎨 The Amherst Island Art Tour & Sale wraps up today from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with 18 artists exhibiting across nine island stops.
🗑️ Loyalist Zone 2 garbage and recycling collection moves to Monday, June 29. Have everything curbside by 7:00 a.m. View the collection information.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Canada Day across L&A
Wednesday, July 1
Here is the simplest way to choose between the local celebrations.
Bath: The fullest daytime schedule
Bath’s celebration includes a firefighters’ breakfast, vendor market and food court, live entertainment, museums, a Kids Zone and the red-and-white parade at 1:00 p.m.
Free parking shuttles run from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pausing during the parade.
Napanee: Cars by day, fireworks by night
Best & Bash Arena, 16 McPherson Drive
The day begins with a firefighters’ pancake breakfast and the Napanee Valley Cruisers Show N’ Shine. Family activities start at 5:00 p.m., music begins at 7:00 p.m., and fireworks are scheduled for 9:50 p.m.
Amherst Island: A full day of island traditions
The island celebration starts at 10:00 a.m. with a market, community barbecue and children’s games. Free ice cream follows at The Back Kitchen, with the parade leaving St. Alban’s Church at 7:05 p.m. Food, music and fireworks continue at the Community Centre.
Tamworth: Soap Box Derby, parade and fireworks
Tamworth’s annual free Soap Box Derby returns to Bridge Street West, with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. and racing running from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
There are categories for ages 6 to 10, 11 to 15, and 16 and older. Participants can bring their own cart or borrow one provided at the event.
Awards and trophies follow the races, with the village parade expected between approximately 4:15 and 5:00 p.m. The celebration continues at the ball field with vendors, a Lions barbecue, music, children’s activities and fireworks after dark.
Newburgh: A traditional village parade
The Newburgh parade is expected from approximately 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., with surrounding road closures continuing into the evening.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Where Old Things Find Their Next Chapter
Some businesses sell old things. The Wilton Mill gives them another chapter.
Joe, the owner, has been buying and selling antiques since his driveway-sale days, always drawn to pieces with character, history, and plenty of life left in them.
After moving from Etobicoke to the Kingston area to be closer to family, what was meant to be a retirement project began turning into something much bigger. The right home appeared inside Wilton’s historic mill.
Today, visitors can explore more than 7,000 square feet filled with antique and vintage furniture, vinyl records, advertising pieces, pop-culture collectibles, and one-of-a-kind finds.
For Joe, the best moments happen when someone recognizes an object from childhood or finds something that brings back memories of a parent, grandparent, or special time in their life.
With new inventory arriving regularly, there is always another corner to explore and another reason to return.
📍 The Wilton Mill
308 Simmons Road, Wilton
Open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check Facebook before visiting.
MORE TO DO: JULY 2 TO 5
Free family mornings in Odessa and Bath
Loyalist Township’s summer Exploration Days begin with two free, drop-in activities for all ages.
Thursday, July 2 | 10:00 a.m. to noon
Buzz, Flutter & Fly! Pollinator Party at Babcock Mill in Odessa.
Friday, July 3 | 10:00 a.m. to noon
Clay Play! Pottery Fun at the Bath Museum.
No registration is required.
Kids Fishing Day at Beaver Lake
Saturday, July 4 | 9:30 a.m. to noon
Beaver Lake Lions Park, Erinsville
The Tamworth and District Lions Club’s Annual Kid’s Fishing Day includes fishing, a best-dressed fishing hat contest, barbecue lunch and prize draws.
Bring a fishing rod. Worms are provided.
Bloomfest in Yarker
Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 | 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lavender Queen, 3981 County Road 1 East
Bloomfest brings local artisans and activities to the lavender farm for the weekend.
Tickets start at $10 and include admission on both days, a fresh-cut lavender bundle and an ice cream or freezie.
HOUSE OF THE WEEK
1374 Bethel Road, Stone Mills
$624,900 | 5 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
Set on 2.5 acres, this refurbished country home offers five bedrooms, new central heating and air conditioning, a screened porch, mature gardens and a large insulated workshop. Napanee is approximately 20 minutes away, while Kingston is less than 30 minutes from the property.
Open house: Sunday, June 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Have a safe Canada Day, and thank you to the volunteers and local organizations bringing these celebrations to life across L&A.
L&A Loop Team