2023

Bicentennial events will be added once they are confirmed. Keep checking back for the latest updates!

 JANUARY
January 6 - 80th Anniversary of the Almonte Train Wreck. Candle lighting ceremony to begin at 7pm at the Train Wreck Memorial (corner of Bridge St. & Mill St.) then to Almonte Old Town Hall for displays and presentations. 

January 17 - The Official Launch of the Bicentennial! Please join in the celebration online or in-person at the municipal office. There will be a toast to mark the occasion, remarks by the mayor, a land acknowledgment and smudging ceremony as well as an announcement by a Town Crier! Don't miss this wonderful event!  

January 17 - Voting begins for the Bicentennial Photo Contest! Photos are on display at the municipal office, stop by to view the AMAZING photographs of our beautiful municipality. Voting will happen online and paper ballots are available at the Municipal office. Voting ends February 6th and the winners will be announced at the February 7th Council meeting.

January 22 - Author & historian Tim Cook is launching his new book "Lifesavers and Body Snatchers - Medical Care and the Struggle for Survival in the Great War" at 2pm at Almonte Old Town Hall
 FEBRUARY
February 6 - Voting for the Photo Contest ends at 11:59pm. Be sure to cast your votes!

February 7 - Announcement of the Winners of the Bicentennial Photo Contest. Winners will be announced at the Council meeting at 6pm. Join in-person or online for the announcement!

February 1-23 - Bicentennial Colouring Contest - Mississippi Mills students in grades 4-6 are invited to participate in the Bicentennial Colouring Contest. The drawing to be coloured was created by artist Auni Milne and is featured on the Bicentennial Commemorative Coin. The top three winning entries will receive a Bicentennial Commemorative Coin and the winning entry will have stickers made of their artwork that will be distributed as part of the Bicentennial festivities (the winner will receive multiple stickers!). You can download the image here with the privacy statement (that must be signed by a guardian) and submit it to the Mississippi Mills Library or Municipal offices (Almonte Old Town Hall or 3131 Old Perth Rd.) The deadline for submissions has been extended to Thursday, February 23rd. 

February 20 - Bicentennial FREE Family Day FUN! - Come to Almonte Old Town Hall at 11am to watch a movie then continue on to the John Levi arena for free public skating from 1pm - 3pm or go to the Stewart arena from 2pm -4pm. The movie canteen will be run by the MMYC! It's a great way to spend a Monday!

February 24 - Heritage Dinner hosted by the North Lanark Regional Museum at the Legion in Almonte, with special guest Robert Gardiner, author of "History of Pakenham 1823-1867". Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance - www.northlanarkregionalmuseum.com An event not to be missed! 
 MARCH
March 2 - Community Luncheon from 11:30am - 1pm, hosted by the Almonte Civitan. Meet your neighbours, talk about local news all while enjoying some delicious food. Tickets are $17 and on sale at Baker Bob's or at www.almontecivitan.com 

March 4 - Indigenous Author Event
featuring author and knowledge keeper, Rick Revelle, 10:30am at the Almonte Library.

March 17 - St. Patrick's Dance featuring 'Sham Rockin' with the Ryans with special guest Terri-Lynn Mahusky' at the Stewart Community Centre, the fun starts at 8PM. Tickets are $15 and on sale at Nicholson's, Stewart Community Centre and Almonte Old Town Hall. Come out and have some Irish fun!  

March 25 - Celebrate Almonte! - This is the 1st major Bicentennial event! Come out and celebrate Almonte's past and present. This event is for the whole family and runs from 11am - 3pm. While you're visiting any of the 4 Destination Points, pick up a passport which includes a map of Almonte along with trivia questions highlighting Almonte's past. Enter to win some amazing prizes from local shops!
  • Mississippi Mills Library (Almonte branch)
    - Community Art Project - come out and decorate a canvas flag. This community coloured banner will be displayed in the library during the Bicentennial year. Be sure to incorporate your talent into this amazing project! 
    - James Naismith puppet will be in attendance along with some basketball puppets for the kids to play with 
    - Historical photos - past & present photos will be on display, see what Almonte used to look like compared to today! 
    - Bicentennial Commemorative Coins will be on sale, be sure to get yours!
  • Heritage Court
    - Bring the kids for face painting run by the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre
    - R. Tait McKenzie puppet
    will be there to entertain the kids. Come out and learn more about our local hero, R. Tait! 
  • Levi Home Hardware
    - Live entertainment featuring Cal Cummings & Friends and Denny & Travis Strong!
    - Memorabilia - visit Almonte's past with displays of memorabilia and old photos. Come out to reminisce about the past or learn about the history if you're new to the area!  
    - The Spirit of Almonte book will be on sale here, be sure to get a copy while they last!
  • Legion (Almonte branch)
    - Lunch - the Legion is hosting a community lunch! Come out and bring the family for a bowl of chili. Donations appreciated but not required. Yum!!!
    - Live entertainment - while you're enjoying your lunch, listen to live music performed by local talent, Lauren Hall! 
A fun day you won't want to miss!

March to May - MM Community Reads!
"The Days of Toil and Tears: The Child Labour Diary of Flora Rutherford" by Sarah Ellis. This story is set in Almonte about an orphan who works in a textile mill.  
 APRIL
April 6 - Community Luncheon from 11:30am - 1pm, hosted by the Almonte Civitan. Meet your neighbours, talk about local news all while enjoying some delicious food! Tickets are $17 and on sale at Baker Bob's or at www.almontecivitan.com 
MAY 
May 12 - RCMP Musical Ride at the Almonte Fairgrounds. A beautiful setting for an amazing show! You won't want to miss it! Plus, it's FREE!
 JUNE
June 24 - Almonte Home & Garden Tour - 10am - 5pm. Put on by the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

June 30
- Pakenham Canada Day Parade and Fireworks
 JULY
July 1 - Canada Day Celebration at Gemmill Park in Almonte

July 25 -30 - Mexican Textile Collection Show and Sale from the Collection of William Hodge & Robert Wylie. This event pays homage to General Juan Almonte! Put on by the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

July is Music in the Park
Stay tuned for more information!
 AUGUST
August is Movies in the ParkStay tuned for dates and locations!

August 5 - Indigenous Craft activities at the Mill of Kintail

August 18-20 - 'Come Home to Pakenham' Weekend Celebration! The event will feature a family dance, baseball games, paddling the Mississippi, antique car show, outdoor games, fireworks and more! An event not to be missed!
 SEPTEMBER
September 9 - OPP Golden Helmets at 3pm in Pakenham!

September 29 - Meet the Artists of The Seven Gifts 
- the Sivarulrasa Gallery is hosting the event. Drop in and meet the artists of The Seven Gifts!

September 30 - Unveiling of the Seven Gifts
- Indigenous Art Installation in Riverfront Park in Almonte
 OCTOBER
October 14 - Harvest Dinner at the Almonte Fairgrounds. Various activities are being planned for the day which ends with a fall feast. Tickets to the dinner will be available closer to the date. You will not want to miss this heritage event! Step back in time to how the community used to come together after the harvest! 
 NOVEMBER
November 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 - A musical theatre production that will feature the Textile Mill Workers. The name for this musical is yet to be confirmed but this show will surely impress! Written by Fern Martin and directed by Kris Riendeau. Produced by Barb Dickson and Michael Rikley-Lancaster.
 DECEMBER
December 1 - Light Up the Night!

December 2 - Santa Claus Parade - Pakenham

December 3 - Santa Claus Parade - Almonte