Having trouble viewing this email? View as a web page.

Century Home and Garden Greenhouses, Port Perry

Photo: Rachel Callan Photography

May 2023


Where to pick the perfect blooms in Durham Region this spring

Nothing screams spring more than blooms! Durham Tourism has put together a list of some of our favourite flower farms, florists and markets in Durham Region to get you ready for spring. We hope thistle encourage you to #ShopInDurham for all your flower needs.



View the full blog post at DurhamTourism.ca/blog.

Green & Frugal: Your source for low waste sustainable body care products

Implementing lifestyle changes with an eye for sustainability is easy at Green & Frugal, makers of green, low waste body care products. With a quaint shop located in Downtown Whitby, Green & Frugal features vegan, synthetic-free and cruelty-free products which are handcrafted, plastic-free, refillable and are created with low waste production methods.


Founded by owner Tara Holguin, Green & Frugal quickly grew from its origins as a side hustle to a bustling business with three locations, thanks in part to Tara’s focus on creating affordable green body care that doesn’t compromise on quality. Products include a full lineup of body care and cleaning products, from moisturizing soap bars to deodorants to dish soap blocks.



View the full blog post at DowntownsOfDurham.ca.

Spring is in bloom

You can already see signs of spring with greener grass, chirping birds, and buds on the apple trees in orchards across Durham Region. Take a scenic drive to visit our apple growers like Archibalds’s Orchard & Estate Winery this spring to learn about their apple orchard.

 

To plan your adventure, visit DurhamTourism.ca/AppleAdventure.

Photo: Pingle's Farm Market, Hampton

Happy Mother's Day on May 14

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers (or bonus moms!), foster mothers, and all motherly figures in our lives—we see you, we appreciate you, and we are so thankful for you. Durham Region businesses have some memorable Mother’s Day events planned throughout the weekend for families to enjoy.




For more Mother's Day events, follow Durham Tourism on Instagram.

Ontario Open International Jiu-Jitsu Championships

The Ontario Open International Jiu-Jitsu Championships takes place at Tribute Communities Centre on May 6 and 7. The Ontario Open International Jiu-Jitsu Championships (GI Edition) is the biggest and most prestigious tournament in Canada. With competitors coming from all over Canada and the United States, the Ontario Open Jiu-Jitsu is an essential stop on everyone’s tournament schedule.


Tickets are $10 cash only at the Gate 1 entrance. There is no admission fee for children ages eight and younger or seniors ages 65 and older.

 

For more information, visit TributeCommunitiesCentre.com.

Celebrate spring at Maplefest

There’s nothing more Canadian than freshly harvested maple syrup. Come celebrate the start of spring at Maplefest on May 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Bowmanville.


This highly anticipated festival showcases local syrup producers who offer up the best of the region. Maple products abound at Maplefest and you will be delighted to find treats such as maple doughnuts, cheese, candy, nuts, fudge and so much more. Stroll along four city blocks to explore unique items from craft and food vendors, and browse the many independent shops and restaurants in historic downtown Bowmanville.

 

Arrive early and enjoy their famous hot pancake breakfast while being entertained by live musicians and kid-friendly activities.

 

The event is free admission and free parking.

 

For more information, visit bowmanville.com.

Scugog Arts small town BIG arts festival

Scugog Arts second annual small town BIG spring arts festival takes place May 6 to 13. There will be live music with Pipo Romero and other brilliant Jazz performers throughout the week, along with The Wanted on May 13 at Two Blokes Cider. Enjoy free art demos with artists Linda Viro and Brenda Montgomery, and three days of painting barn quilts in the Scugog Arts lane way.


For people who love to expand their knowledge, there will be a photography talk with Jonathan Van Bilsen on May 8 and a lecture on ‘The Dawn of Writing,’ with Dr. Amy Barron on May 11. On May 12, enjoy a night of comedy and laughs with the fabulously funny Elvira Kurt and Girls Nite Out. There is something for everyone so be sure to check out the full lineup of events.


For more event details, visit ScugogArts.ca.

Artfest and Petapolooza this month in Pickering

The City of Pickering is hosting two of their most exciting events this month!


Petapolooza

May 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Esplanade Park (1 The Esplanade, Pickering)

 

Petapolooza brings together pet owners and enthusiasts for the opportunity to meet industry professionals, rescue groups, and others in the pet industry. Along with entertainment and vendor booths, there are plenty of giveaways and activities for the whole family!

 

Admission is a $5 donation, with free admission for seniors ages 55 and older, as well as children under 12 and pets. All proceeds from Petapolooza go toward helping the City of Pickering build a permanent animal shelter.

 

Artfest

May 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Esplanade Park (1 The Esplanade, Pickering)

 

The City of Pickering and PineRidge Arts Council are excited to bring the community together to celebrate art and culture by welcoming back Artfest to Esplanade Park. Artfest will highlight 60 local artist and artisans, and feature live demonstrations, fun hands-on activities, performances and live music.

 

Come support talented local artists, view extraordinary art, shop the plant sale from Pickering Horticultural Society, and enjoy delicious food truck eats.

 

For more information, visit pickering.ca.

Lake Scugog Studio Tour

Discover amazing art in the Township of Scugog during the Lake Scugog Studio Tour on May 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


This self-guided tour features 36 artists at 15 sites across Scugog. Visit studios and explore the fantastic creations of artists making work right here in your community. Scugog is home to practitioners of all types of mediums, including painters, printmakers sculptors, jewellers, woodworkers, metalworkers, textile artists and more. Learn something new, meet your favourite artists and take home a special piece of handmade art—all while enjoying the scenic views in Scugog and historic downtown Port Perry.


For more information, visit ScugogStudioTour.ca.

Downtown Oshawa's newest attraction: SplatterRoom Oshawa

Visit downtown Oshawa’s newest and most exciting entertainment attraction and experience a one-of-a-kind neon paint fight! SplatterRoom Oshawa is an experience for all ages where you can create unique splatter pieces to take home. There are three packages for you to choose from that allow you to customize your splatter.


Enter the black light SplatterRoom and go wild with splatter guns and a balloon slingshot. Choose your music to pump through the in-ceiling sound system while having the most epic paint fight. Paint your friends, family, or even the wall but don't forget your canvas. Just when you think that all the fun has ended, SplatterRoom Oshawa will send you photos and a video of your experience!


SplatterRoom Oshawa is located at 555 Simcoe Street South in Oshawa and is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Learn more at SplatterRoomOshawa.com.

New issue of ArtScene newsletter available online

PineRidge Arts Council produces an online publication six times a year called ArtScene, featuring members' upcoming events and interesting articles about the arts in Durham Region.



The latest issue is available online at PineRidgeArts.org.

Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  Instagram  
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.