The farther you are from home, the answer to “where are you from?” changes.
“Bowmanville.”
“Ontario.”
“Canada.”
It’s unlikely you’ll say, “Durham Region”, no matter where you’re from in Durham. And that’s ok. Because, home isn’t a municipal boundary. Our home is our community.
We know that home means a lot of different things to us. Durham is a collection of incredible communities, each with their own unique charm, quirks, and personality. From one-stop-light villages to sail-boat lined waterfronts, Durham Region is a collection of communities we each think of as ‘home’ – a collection you really can’t capture with one single phrase.
But, Durham is home.
We grew up in Pickering Village, and we know it isn’t actually in Pickering. As kids we explored the leaning water tower in Orono with our friends (and we know what we’re doing the weekend after Labour Day!). We’ve fished down at the waterfront in Port and Beaverton, we’ve gossiped about what celebrities are filming at Parkwood, and we can vividly remember the first time a chickadee landed in the palm of our hand at Lynde Shores. We’ve taken in extraordinary concerts from Juno winners in Downtown Oshawa, eaten apples we picked fresh from an orchard near Newcastle, gazed at sailboats in Frenchman’s Bay, and taken a long deep breath on a hike through the forest in Uxbridge.
No matter where you live in Durham, or where you call home, there is something that ties us all together. It’s that feeling we get when we think of home. The feeling we get when we see colourful painted stones someone left for us to find by the sidewalk. The feeling we get when we cruise through the Durham Eats Facebook page to pick which takeout to get from a neighbourhood restaurant. The feeling we get when we bring our kids and their grandparents to the pumpkin farm around Halloween. It’s that feeling when we walk past the gazebo where we had our wedding pictures taken.
We all get that same feeling. It’s the warmth, pride, happiness, and sense of home we get when someone asks us where we’re from.
At Durham Tourism, we know that our community pride is rooted in the places we know best.
The answer to “where are you from?” has never been clearer. No matter which of our incredible communities comes to mind… your community has your heart, but Durham is home.
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Celebrate Bike Month in Durham Region |
The Region of Durham invites you to celebrate Bike Month by taking part in a series of fun, educational cycling activities throughout the region. From June 1 to 30, residents are encouraged to explore Durham’s unique landscapes and scenic trails while practising safe cycling.
This year Bike Month will be taking place all month long! The Region of Durham is hosting a variety of activities to help you get out on your bike and ride.
- Participate in the Bike and Buy Campaign - Get outside and get active while supporting local businesses. Every purchase made at a participating business enters you into a prize draw to win great prizes from Durham businesses.
- Take the Bike Month Pledge - How will you be celebrating Bike Month? Tell us by taking the Bike Month Pledge. Each pledge is automatically entered into a draw for a prize!
- Cycling Safety Campaign - Learn about proper cycling equipment and bike fit, safe riding techniques, rules and responsibilities, and interacting with others.
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Celebrate Local Food Week |
Let’s celebrate all things local food! There is an abundance of fresh, delicious food being grown here in Durham Region. Enjoy the flavours of the region during Local Food Week.
This year, Local Food Week runs from June 7 to 13.
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Shop Durham Region is spicing things up |
Officially launched in January 2021, the Shop Durham Region (SDR) online marketplace allows shoppers to purchase products from multiple Durham-based businesses offering contactless pick-up, or local delivery where available, in a single transaction.
With Father’s Day right around the corner, SDR is excited to announce its first-ever bundle! This limited time offer features three local hot sauce makers in one hot bundle: 1 spicy mama, J&C Habanero and U4IQ EuphoriQ Heat. The Shop Durham Region Hot Sauce Bundle will be available for purchase until Friday, June 11 or while supplies last. Ordered bundles will be available for pickup the week of June 14. For more details on the sauces included, or to purchase a bundle, visit the marketplace.
Funded by the Region of Durham and led by the Downtown Whitby BIA, SDR has seen continued growth in its first five months, now offering more than 950 products for sale from a variety of businesses. Since launch, more than 15,000 visitors have browsed the site to discover local goods from across the region.
Help support and strengthen the Durham Region business community by making the Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace one of your go-to places to #ShopInDurham. Shopping for someone else and not sure what to buy? Shop Durham Region gift cards are also available for purchase.
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Celebrate Canada Day the Durham Way! |
On July 1st, we invite Durham Region residents to join the Region of Durham and our eight local-area municipalities to celebrate Canada Day the Durham Way!
From music to food, family entertainment to community pride—Canada Day the Durham Way has something for everyone.
Follow @DurhamTourism on social media for updates on schedule of events, activities and more!
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Virtual Peony Festival in Oshawa this month |
The City of Oshawa proudly announces that the 17th annual Peony Festival will be presented online from June 1 to 27. Recognized by Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events for nine consecutive years, the virtual festival will feature videos of peony gardens, expert advice, gardening tips and online activities for all ages. If you are an artist and looking to show your creative skills you can participate in the various contests.
Community members are invited to share past photos and stories illustrating their previous memories at the Peony Festival by tagging @OshawaCulture on Twitter with #OurOshawa, #OshEvents and #OshawaPeonies. Select memories and images will be shared on the City’s social media platforms.
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Join DRIFF under the stars for Shifting the Narrative |
This summer, the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) is bringing back last fall's smash hit drive-in format for a special screening series.
Starting this month, DRIFF is presenting a series of five thought-provoking drive-in experiences celebrating the diverse landscape of contemporary Canadian filmmaking—all right here under the stars in a scenic, socially-distanced venue in Durham Region.
The series kicks off on June 24 with a presentation of Yan England's 1:54 preceded by the short film Wanted: Strong Woman.
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The Brooklin Spring Fair continues in 2021 |
The 110-year-old tradition of the Brooklin Spring Fair proudly continues in 2021—albeit in a very different way. The pandemic couldn't keep the volunteer Fair board of directors from planning some virtual fun to mark the 110th anniversary of this beloved community event.
"The decision was made, for a second year, to forego regular planning to ensure the safety of our volunteers and the community", says Tracy Hanson, President of the Board, "We are so excited to bring some Fair fun and friendly competitions to our community in a safe, virtual format for 2021".
With more lead time this year, the Board began the process of envisioning what events and competitions could move to a virtual format. Long held traditions like the Homecraft competition is taking place. There are several other 'competitions' to be entered, all at no cost, from fun non-sanctioned livestock shows to the annual Spring Sing, Baby Show, Colouring Contest, and more. On June 5, the Board will be hosting a free Comedy Show that anyone can stream from their homes. And for those who would like to support the Fair, they are holding their first ever online auction with great items up for bid. In addition, the Fair Board hopes to offer events throughout the summer months as reopening plans for the Province begins to open.
The Fair Board and volunteers would like to thank the community for their support these past 110 years and are excited to provide new experiences in unique ways as "the Tradition Lives On" in 2021.
Follow @BrooklinFair on social media for updates and announcements.
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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. |
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