HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS: Markets, music and family fun this weekend

Live music at The Cove Inn, on of 12 different event listed in this week's Hometown Happenings.
Photo credit: Head over heals Facebook photo [https://www.facebook.com/KevinHeadMusic]
Posted on: July 31, 2025

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Hometown Happenings is your go-to list of markets, music, festivals, fundraisers, and good old-fashioned community fun happening in Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Almonte, Montague, Merrickville, North Grenville, Rideau Lakes, Westport, and points in between.

Got an event to share?
Send the details to ljweir@pdgmedia.ca and we’ll do our best to include it in the next roundup.

Published every Thursday, alphabetically by region, just in time to tee up your weekend plans.

Almonte (Mississippi Mills)

Almonte Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beside the library on High Street. Local produce, crafts, food and sharpshooting knife sharpening. 

Beckwith

Goodwood Music Festival
Aug. 1 to 3, three days of toe-tappin’ tunes and classic country fun. Held at Beckwith Park, attendees can expect a talented lineup of musicians, an energetic dance floor, local food trucks, and ice-cold beer! Campsites, full weekend passes, and day passes are available for purchase at the Beckwith Township Office.

Carleton Place

Carleton Place Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Market Square Pavilion, 7 Beckwith Street. Local produce, baking and handmade treasures. 

Montague

Trivia Night for Kids
Sunday, Aug. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rosedale Hall, 657 Rosedale Road, $10 per child, includes hotdog, chips and pop. Prizes. Supporting the Rideau Lakes Figure Skating Club. 

Perth

Perth Farmers’ Market
Saturday, Aug. 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Crystal Palace. Riverside setting with produce, prepared foods and artisan crafts. 

Rideau Lakes

Lombardy Fair
Aug. 1-3, Lombardy Fairgrounds, 6 Kelly Road. Watch for the orange roofs on the buildings. The agricultural fair is celebrating 159 years with its signature mix of rural charm, live entertainment and crowd-pleasing chaos like the Demolition Derby and Monster Madness. Just a short drive from Smiths Falls, this classic country fair is a Civic Holiday weekend tradition you don’t want to miss.

Heritage Craft Market, Chaffey’s Lock
Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the front lawn at the Opinicon. Check out the Rideau Café at the Chaffey’s Lock Hall.

Smiths Falls

Movies Under the Stars, Centennial Park
Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m., Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, preshow entertainment by magician Mike Conway. Free admission, donations appreciated. Concession, bring a blanket or chair. 

Old Home Week
Aug. 2-9. It’s what we’ve been waiting for 25 years to return. This celebration of community, history and hometown pride with highlights like the spectacular Opening Parade, soothing wellness events, a dazzling drone show, the playful Floatfest on the Rideau Canal and Riverbank Musicfest. It’s an eight-day celebration that reconnects past residents and newcomers alike. Visit the website for more info. 

Downtown Music Series
Saturday, Aug. 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m. the music of James King. 77 Beckwith St. features Spencer Scarff. 

Westport

Westport Market
Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 38 Concession Rd., Westport. Enjoy local produce and products in this open-air market setting. 

Live at the Cove
* Saturday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. listen to the Retro Kings, a folk rock band that is releasing original tunes.
* Sunday, Aug. 3, 5 to 8 p.m. Kevin & Vanessa Head are Head over Heels, an acoustic guitar/vocal duo from Gananoque. They perform a diverse mix of original music and interpreted covers of folk, jazz, classic rock and contemporary tunes.

Laurie Weir
Author: Laurie Weir

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