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Rediscover the Downtowns
of Durham Region
 June 2020
The Region of Durham, in collaboration with local business improvement areas (BIAs), have launched a new online platform—Downtowns of Durham—to support the region’s vibrant downtown-area businesses.

Downtowns of Durham offers residents and visitors a chance to explore the region’s many “main street” shops, restaurants, and services virtually, as they recover. From historic storefronts to family owned restaurants, each of Durham’s 13 distinct downtown areas are home to a diverse range of small businesses in urgent need of support.

Developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the new platform makes it quick and easy to see which businesses are operational, and which offer delivery, curbside pick-up, or online shopping. You can search by location, industry and service or product offered. It is the first collective project that all local BIAs have undertaken, with the goal of raising the profile of Durham’s downtown businesses and encouraging local momentum for these areas.
Celebrate Canada Day the Durham Way!

From 2 to 5 p.m., this collaborative event—in co-operation with the Region of Durham and all eight local-area municipalities—will highlight unique attractions and talents that drive our vibrant arts and culture scene. T his event celebrat es our region and our one-of-a-kind mix of small-town hospitality and unique urban amenities.

Durham Region is a community more vibrant and diverse than just about any place in Ontario. This event will highlight why our quality of life is second to none—a celebration of our multicultural landscape and cultures; exciting performers; one-of-a-kind children’s activities; and musical talent.

Come together as a community—while practising physical distancing—by tuning in to this first-of-its-kind, virtual Canada Day celebration, which will be available through Facebook Live.

Show your national pride by sharing photos using #DurhamStrong on social media. Post your photos and tag @RegionofDurham or your local municipality on Facebook or Twitter for a chance to have your photos featured during the live event .   
Central Counties Tourism takes you on the Ultimate Virtual Road Trip
Have you ever wondered what it is like to take a virtual road trip? Now you can with the launch of Central Counties Tourism (CCT) York Durham Headwaters (YDH) Virtual Road Trip website. The site is interactive and engaging with activities for foodie fanatics, family fun, adventure seekers, passionate putters and art lovers. Be sure to stop by the Durham Region page for adventure, arts and culture, family fun, local food experiences, golf and so much more!
Discover Durham Region’s arts and culture scene through the Ontario Culture Guides portal
As we continue to stay at home and practise physical distancing, we are reminded of the places we’ve been and the places we’d like to go. While we can’t wait to make new memories, the Ontario Culture Guides portal is a place to virtually discover this province’s thriving arts and culture scene. With regularly updated stories and things to do, the portal also provides travel guides, including one for Durham Region, to showcase some of what we have to offer when the time is right to welcome back visitors.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is online
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) has been finding ways to connect with the community while closed due to COVID-19 protocols. The VAC is continuing to provide quality exhibition and educational programming online including activities for kids aged three+ as well as opportunities for you to inspire the community with #VACatHome.
Farmers markets operating in Durham Region
As the weather warms, more local food products are in season and farmers markets typically begin to open. While not all of Durham Region’s farmers markets are in operation, many are still open, with modifications .

The Uxbridge Farmers Market is now open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To ensure the Uxbridge Farmers Market continues to operate in a manner that promotes and preserves public health and safety during COVID-19; the market layout has been modified. The modified market layout offers options to shop on-foot at each booth, or pre-order and use the drive-thru lane for pick-up. For more information please read the market guidelines .

Though not open on-site, other markets are operating virtually.

Whitby Farmers' Market  - The Whitby Farmers' Market has transitioned online. Access your favourite local food and treats through their website. Orders are available for contact-free pick up. 

Pickering Farmers' Market  - The Pickering Farmers’ Market has transitioned to an online format. Access your favourite local food and treats through their website. Contact-free home delivery can be arranged.

Bowmanville REKO Network  - Numerous local farms offering their farm grown products through the REKO Facebook group. Product pickup is arranged with the seller.

Kendal Hills Farm  - Virtual Farmers Market, wide range of produce, meat, baked goods, prepared meals and other assorted products. Delivery is available.
Banjo Cider is growing
in Uxbridge
Banjo Cider is a cidery and store on a historic farm a few minutes north of Uxbridge. Their ciders are made in small batches with traditional methods and premium ingredients, and are less sweet than most ciders on today’s market. Banjo Cider uses 100 per cent Ontario apples, including apples from their 2019 Citizen’s Cider Project. Locals picked unsprayed apples from backyards, fencerows, abandoned orchards, and roadsides, and brought thousands of pounds of apples to the Banjo cidery for pressing. The result will be ready later this year.

By next year, owners Tony Brown and Patty Ewaschuk expect to begin pressing apples from their own young orchard, grown with organic methods. The orchard is planted with cidermaking varieties of apples, many of which were cut down during Canada’s prohibition years.

You can order cider online for contactless pickup or local delivery at www.banjocider.ca . Banjo Cider can also be found at Uxbridge’s award-winning market every Sunday.
For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit  DurhamTourism.ca , or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact  Durham Tourism.