This year’s Carleton Place Winter Carnival promises to be big and better than ever before! Some highlights will include: Merchant Market, chili lunch, musical performances, horse-drawn trolley rides, broom ball, shoot the puck, old-fashioned carnival games, free play zone, circus school, face painting, balloon animals, strolling performers and of course, not to forget, our Carnival Express.

Everything is FREE, with the exception of food items and merchandise inside the Merchant Market.

For additional information: www.cpwintercarnival.com

2016 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – FEBRUARY 20TH, 2016

Merchant Market
Inside CPHS Gymnasium from 10:00am-3:00pm
With over 30 vendors, you will not be disappointed with the nice selection of crafters, bakers, artisans and home-based businesses. Come in, out of the cold and take a browse around and support some local vendors!
To register as a vendor, click here!

Runamok Amusements
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Runamok Amusements will be joining us with a fantastic line-up of food and snack items. Cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, kettle chips, nachos, candy apples and more!

Circus School
Inside in the Canoe Club from 10:00am-3:00pm
Head into the Canoe Club and step into the Circus Ring! Join our friends from Orbital Talent who will be teaching the skills and thrills of being a circus performer! They will also be hosting fun demonstrations for you to watch and ask questions about too! To top it all off, each participant will receive an “Honorary Circus Performer” certificate to take home! Don’t miss out on the fun inside the Canoe Club!

ALL ABOARD!!! The Carnival Express
Running all day from 10:00am-4:00pm
We are thrilled to add this attraction for kids big and small. This train will take you on a short detour through and around the carnival grounds! Completely FREE and running all day from 10am-4pm. Look for the train station when you arrive to the Carnival!

Horse Drawn Trolley Rides
Running all day from 10:00am-4:00pm. Pick-up/drop-off on corner of Hawthorne and John St and heading to OPP Outdoor Rink at 15 Coleman St.
Estimated to run every 30 minutes. Completely FREE to ride. Take a tour through a small part of Carleton Place from the Carnival and go and watch some Broomball at the OPP outdoor rink or play some hockey with some police officers!

Broom Ball
At OPP Outdoor Rink (15 Coleman St) from 10:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm
There will be 3 exhibition games to watch, so come out and learn all about broom ball. For those who wish to play and test out your skills, you MUST bring a helmet with a cage on it. Knee and elbow pads are also recommended. All other equipment will be supplied.

High Striker
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Swing the hammer and try to hit the bell! Can you do it?

Magic Mirrors
These fun, magic mirrors can make your arms look like spaghetti and your feet the size of pumpkins.

Chilly & Peskie
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Peskie, our friend from Mount Pakenham will be joining Chilly periodically during the day. You may just catch a glimpse of them and if you do – make sure to give them a HIGH FLIPPER and pose for a picture!

Midway Fun
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Lots of fun midway games to try out. Flippin’ Frog, Milk Jugs and Swing Ball, to name a few!

Circus Themed Photobooth
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00pm-4:00pm
Step under the big top and have some fun. Circus themed goodies will be there waiting for you and your imagination. Bring your cameras!

Beavers Campout
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Join the members of Carleton Place Scouting at their campsite. Sing along to some traditional camp out songs and learn all about knots. They will have hot chocolate and coffee for sale and you can check out their display of their year of scouting

Log Carving Demonstration
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Come and watch Billy Mountain’s Travelling Chainsaws carve up a beautiful circus themed creation! One lucky person will get to win the creation at the end of the day.

Shoot The Puck
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Hosted by Carleton Place Minor Hocky Association, come out and see what you’ve got against one of the Kings! Can you score against them?

Obstacle Races & Tug Of War
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 10:00am-4:00pm
Hosted by Hollywood/Fit Mom/Fit, Carleton Place
Do you have what it takes to make it through Hollywood Fit’s obstacle challenge?! Be the fastest team in one of two categories (single kid or parent/kid team) and walk away with bragging rights and a sweet winner’s package

Boardgames
Inside CPHS Cafetorium from 10:00am-4:00pm
Come in, out of the cold to play a game of cards or grab your friends and play a boardgame!

Face Painting / Balloon Animals
Inside in the Canoe Club from 10:30am-1:30pm
Come in to the Canoe Club to get a FREE face painting and/or balloon animal by Korny Klowns Entertainment!

Chili Lunch in support of CPHS Band
Served inside CPHS Cafetorium from 11:00am-1:00pm
Sit down to a nice, hot bowl of chili. *profits from lunch goes to the Carleton Place High School Band

Carleton Place High School Band
Performing inside CPHS Cafetorium from 11:00am-1:00pm
Sit down in the CPHS Cafetorium to enjoy a performance from some members of the CPHS band!

Jack Denovan
Outside stage from 11:00am-4:00pm
Ringmaster, DJ, Emcee, Superstar, Jack Denovan will be joining us once again this year to give you updates on the days events and keeping our performers in check and on schedule! Thank you Jack for coming back for the 2nd year in a row. Always so much fun having you part of the Carnival!

Hockey & Skating Fun
At the OPP / Ocean Wave Detachment (15 Coleman St) from 11:00pm-2:00pm
Brought to you by the Carleton Place OPP and Carleton Place Minor Hockey. Visit the Carleton Place OPP outdoors rink to take part in some hockey and skating fun! Members of the OPP will be on site for some skating and community hockey games along! Cheer on participants of the timbits hockey league as they play a fun game from 12:00pm – 12:30pm and learn about registration for minor hockey!

Andrew McDougall
Performing on our outside stage from 11:00am-11:45pm
Songs for the whole family (really)!

Niveus Siberians – Dog Sledding
Outside in Chilly’s Funland from 12:00pm-4:00pm
Niveus Siberians will be stopping by the Carnival between 12pm-4pm with their Champion and Titled Sled dogs. Meet the whole team and then watch as these magnificent pups put on some sledding demos. Be sure to meet their owner and trainer, Jenn Rollinson and find out all about this traditional sport!

Zip-E The Clown
Performing on our outside stage from 12:00pm-12:45pm
On Stage he is a musical combination of comedy, magic, family fun and pure entertainment. he does what he does in his word of clown and his audience participates while sharing in the imagination of what it is to be a circus clown.

Bingo
1:00pm-4:00pm at the Carleton Place Arena, Upper Hall (75 Neelin St)
Brought to you by the Carleton Place Civitan Club. There will be tea, coffee, soft drinks, chips and a light lunch – and of course, BINGO! *Must be 18 years old to play. All proceeds goes to the Civitan Club, who donate it back into our community!

Starfire
Performing on our outside stage from 1:30pm-4:00pm
Starfire is a 6-piece, high energy party band that has been performing in the Ottawa area since 2004. Their musical style ranges from Classic Rock, Pop, Disco, R&B, Country to Reggae. They bring their audience an energetic performance with danceable, well arranged music, coupled with exceptional vocals.

Cork’n Brush
Inside Canoe Club from 1:30pm-2:30pm and 2:45-3:45
Come join Sonya from The Cork’n Brush to paint a circus masterpiece. Open to anyone 8+. Everything is included, including the canvas, paint, glitter, brushes and aprons. Each class lasts about 60min and best of all, it’s FREE! You MUST pre-register for this as seating is limited to 20 per class.

Joins us for shopping galore! Over 40 vendors, Door prizes, Free admission

November 28 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Nov. 28: Beckwith Craft Fair

Held in the Beckwith Public School gym, 1523 9th Line, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with over 40 exhibitors. Donations accepted for the Lanark County Food Bank. Info: 613.257.1539

November 7 @ 8:00 am – November 8 @ 5:00 pm

Nov. 7-8: Carleton Place Artists’ Open Studio Weekend

Local artists will open their studios for a sale and a chance to see them at work.

Info: 613.859.0100 (Jennifer)

Hailed the largest Santa Claus parade in the Ottawa Valley you can join thousands of spectators to watch hundreds of sparkling floats lit by LED bulbs as the Business Improvement Association hosts its annual evening parade on Saturday November 28th 2015.

The parade begins at 5 p.m. at Carambeck School and travels up the town’s main thoroughfare Bridge Street. After Santa’s sleigh passes through the town spectators can congregate at the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital for hot chocolate carolling and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Proceeds support the Lanark County Food Bank.

For further information information please call 613-257-8049 or visit www.downtowncarletonplace.com

Downtown Carleton Place will filled with the sights and sounds of Whoville at this years BIA Santa Claus parade.

“A Whoville Christmas”

Downtown Carleton Place is where the Grinch will find Christmas! The festive spirit will be making its way in and around and about the town. No, you are not mistaken, the Grinch who Stole Christmas and all that he has taken, will be downtown for this holiday celebration. The excitement is building and for a very good reason, as Santa will soon be here to celebrate the season.

I think the most likely reason of all may be that our hearts grow three sizes that day when we watch our Santa Parade. Oh the noise, the singing, the dancing, and more Santa will bring your way! There will be ribbons, tags, packages, boxes and bags that will adorn floats as they parade by.

Welcome Christmas, Bring your cheer, cheer to all from far and near! Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more! You will feel light-hearted for the season at the BIA Whoville Santa Claus Parade.

The Carleton Place BIA Whoville Santa Claus Parade is where we will stand heart to heart and hand to hand listening to singing and dancing welcoming the season’s meaning!

If you’re looking for that perfect gift for your special someone or maybe even something for yourself here is your chance!

The Carleton Place BIA along with the Merchants of Downtown is holding “Ladies Night Out” from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday November 19th.

The event is designed to help you start your shopping with retail savings to be found throughout the downtown. You’ll also be able to enter to win prizes, savour delicious food, and view the downtown LED Christmas lighting.

During the evening, shoppers will have a chance to enter a draw to win one of five $100 BIA Buck draws. A BIA Buck is our standard dollar used on a regular basis by the consumers in our community. BIA Bucks are an economic booster to our BIA members and enable shoppers to contribute to BIA retailers. The BIA Buck is available to the public and can be purchased from the BIA office. There is no expiry on the BIA bucks. The date of the draw for the BIA Bucks is Wednesday November 25th, 2015.

For more information on “Ladies Night Out” you can contact Carleton Place BIA Project Manager Cathie McOrmond at cmcormond@carletonplace.ca or call 613-257-8049

Halloween in 2015 is Saturday, October 31

It is a day to mark the single night in the year when, according to old Celtic beliefs, spirits and the dead can cross over into the world of the living. Some people hold parties and children may trick-or-treat in their neighborhood.

Some people put a lot of effort into decorating their homes, yards and drives. They may even construct life-size replica graveyards or dungeons and invite people from the neighborhood to view their creations or hold a themed party. Other people may organize fancy dress parties for adults or children. Popular activities at parties include watching horror films and trying to make fellow guests jump in fright.

Many children go out to play trick-or-treat. They dress up as ghosts, witches, skeletons or other characters and visit homes in their neighborhood. They ring doorbells and, when someone answers, they call out “trick-or-treat”. This means that they hope to receive a gift of candy or other snacks and that they are threatening to play a trick if they do not get anything. Usually, they receive a treat and tricks are rarely carried out.

There are special types of food associated with Halloween. These include candies in packets decorated with symbols of Halloween, toffee apples made by coating real apples with a boiled sugar solution, roasted corn, popcorn and pumpkin pie or bread. Halloween beer, which is made by adding pumpkin and spices to the mash before fermenting it, is also available in specialist stores.

Children also take part in a long-standing Canadian tradition of “Trick-or-Treat for Unicef”. Pumpkin-carving contests, pumpkin art tours, a reading marathon, and symbolic Walks for Water are just a few examples of the educational and fundraising activities schools and children develop to help provide thousands of children developing countries with basic quality education.

October 31 is not a public holiday. Schools, organizations, businesses, stores and post offices are open as usual. Some organizations may arrange Halloween parties, but these do not usually disrupt normal affairs. Public transport services run on their regular timetables. If people are driving around the neighborhood in the late afternoon or evening, it is important to be particularly aware of children, especially those wearing dark costumes, who may be unfamiliar with traffic conditions.

Halloween has Celtic origins. In pre-Christian times, many people believed that spirits from the underworld and ghosts of dead people could visit the world of the living on the night of October 31. These spirits could harm the living or take them back to the underworld. To avoid this, people started dressing up as ghosts and spirits if they left their homes on October 31. They hoped that this would confuse the ghosts and spirits.

Our Haunted Heritage Storytelling Night

October 15 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum.

Our third annual night of scary ghost stories and tales of local hauntings!

Info: 613.253.7013 or cpbheritagemuseum@bellnet.ca

Meeting at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Hall, Potluck Supper 6 p.m. for 6:30 dinner.

Bring your own plate, cup, knife and fork, and your favourite dish to serve.

Join us for our next meeting Wednesday October 7 2015 at 7:00pm for Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging with Rebecca Craig. Rebecca is a licensed practitioner of Ikebana (Sagagoryu School) as well as an artist of traditional Japanese brush painting.

Everyone is welcome!

Please join us at 39 Bridge St. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hall (basement) in Carleton Place, ON. http://www.cphorticulture.ca for more information.

Oct. 10 2015 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Last Day of the Farmers’ Market

This day always comes sooner than you think.

This is the day that you stock up for the long winter or pick up some canning supplies.

Many of our vendors bring maple syrup, honey and preserves so be sure to stop by.

Info: 613.257.1976 or www.cpfm.ca