Tag Archives: children’s activities

RMEO launches STEAM children’s educational experience with $150K government grant

Chris Uhlig photos.
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The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) officially launched its newest attraction on May 9, 2025: the S.T.E.A.M. Train, an interactive, hands-on exhibit housed inside a beautifully restored historic railway car.

The project was made possible through a $150,000 non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada, delivered via the Tourism Growth Program by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

This exciting new exhibit blends the rich history of Canada’s railways with modern educational experiences centred on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM). The immersive environment encourages learning through play and exploration, featuring:

  • A miniature steam engine for children to climb into and pretend to operate.
  • Bridge-building activities, magnetic gear wall, marble run, LEGO station and ball-drop activity for engineering fun.
  • A miniature telegraph, ticket office and post office for imaginative play.
  • A cozy book nook, creative art station and interactive train table wall.

The S.T.E.A.M. Train exhibit is uniquely housed in a restored Canadian Northern combination car — a historic railcar that once served both passengers and freight. The authentic setting offers visitors a rare chance to experience railway history in a hands-on, engaging way.

Funding for the project was announced Aug. 26, 2024, when the Government of Canada committed $150,000 through FedDev Ontario’s Tourism Growth Program.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian tourism experiences, like the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, as they expand their offerings and welcome visitors to must-see attractions in the region,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. “The STEAM Train Children’s Education Experience will be a wonderful addition for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.”

Becky Allen, executive director of RMEO, added: “We are incredibly grateful for the support from the federal government’s Tourism Growth Program. This contribution allowed us to create a one-of-a-kind educational space that celebrates our railway heritage while inspiring future generations. We’re thrilled to open the S.T.E.A.M. Train to the public and look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far.”

Admission to the STEAM Train is included with regular museum entry. School groups are encouraged to book field trips, which include guided programming, scavenger hunts and outdoor picnic options.

Perth’s Festival of the Maples sugars up for sweet 48th year!

Festival of the Maples
Photo credit: Submitted.
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It’s the annual rite of spring. Maple syrup season is upon us once again as we prepare to celebrate our region’s most famous agricultural commodity – sweet, savoury maple syrup! Our local maple syrup producers are the stars of the show at the Perth Festival of the Maples being held Saturday, April 27th from 9am until 4pm in downtown Perth.

Ever since local businessman Vic Lemieux organized the first event close to 50 years ago, Perth has been the gathering place for this annual occasion to applaud the efforts of our local farmers and syrup producers in making Lanark County, the ‘Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario’.

This year’s Festival of the Maples is being organized and presented once again by the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce. New Chamber Executive Director Paloma Zander says, “This free annual event attracts between 15 to 20,000 guests who can’t wait to enjoy ‘taffy on ice’, maple butter, maple candies and the latest syrup straight from the area’s sugar bushes.” 

Zander adds, “We’re extremely proud of the partnership the Chamber has with our local producers and members of the Lanark & District Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (LDMSPA). We routinely see well over a dozen producers join us every year, and some have been coming for decades. They’re extremely proud of their craft and can’t wait to share this year’s harvest.”

Perth Chamber President Brian Perkin says, “It’s been a stressful year for some of our local producers. The early warm weather and changeable temperatures kept them on their toes wondering when and how much the sap would run. In this region, most producers have had a good crop, but with any weather-dependent farming operation, outcomes can vary quite a bit. Now, it’s time for them to shine and be rewarded for their labours.” 

Producers will have a chance to enter their syrup and other goods for judging in the festival’s annual syrup competition run by LDMSPA. Awards will be handed out on the festival’s main stage on Herriot Street during the opening ceremonies at 11am on festival day.

The festival kicks off with a pancake breakfast at the Perth Legion from 8:30am to 10:30am, plus the annual Classic & Antique Car Show on display on Herriot Street. Gore Street and Foster Street downtown will be lined with a wide array of artisan and food vendors, farm products, retail, community and charity exhibitors.  Booth registration has been busy, with over 160 vendors booked to participate. 

On the Festival’s main stage, located at Herriot at Gore Streets, live entertainment will continue throughout the day.  This year’s artists include CR5 Bluegrass, The Receivers, Crooked Creek, The Valley Mountain Band, Three 2 Go, Eric Uren and Meghan Balogh, along with the Kings of Swingers.

The Maplefest ‘Sap Tapping’ and ‘Wood Cookie Challenge’ returns to the main stage at 12:30pm when 2-person teams test their skills by drilling spile holes for sap buckets and wielding old-time band saws to clock the fastest log-sawing times.

Festival of the Maples
Photo credit: Submitted.

Families and kids will be able to join in a variety of fun activities at the Children’s Playpark in the Tay Basin including bouncy rides, a rock-climbing wall and zip-line run by Ry-J’s Climbing Adventures, along with pony rides and a petting zoo, with a rest area, Korny’s Klowns and child activities by the Lanark Highlands Youth Centre planned for the Crystal Palace. 

Perkin states, “We’d like to thank our Chamber members and other area businesses for stepping up once again this year to sponsor just about every aspect of this event so it remains a free festival. Their support is greatly appreciated.”

The Chamber offers free parking and a shuttle courtesy of Martin’s Bus Service from the lot at the Perth Campus of Algonquin College on Craig Street. The shuttle drop-off and return pick-up spot is at Craig and Gore Street.

For more information, visit the festival website at: festivalofthemaples.com

The third annual Indigenous Cultural Fair: Celebrate culture, support Art for Aid in Carleton Place

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The third annual Indigenous Cultural Fair will take place in Carleton Place on May 11 from 10am to 3pm. Admission to the event is free. The organizers extend a warm welcome to everyone and emphasize that spending time at the fair is a valuable way to show appreciation.

This community-led event raises funds for Art for Aid, an organization run by Indigenous artist Colleen Gray in Lanark County. Art for Aid collects and ships art supplies and supports winter outdoor learning programs in remote First Nations communities across Northern Canada. Art supplies can be expensive and difficult to obtain in many of these communities, and the organization believes art is both healing and culturally significant. Donations of art supplies, such as googly eyes, ribbon, pipe cleaners, watercolour paint, and paint brushes, will be collected for direct distribution to Indigenous schools, along with monetary donations to cover shipping costs.

Zion-Memorial United Church will once again host the cultural fair from 10am to 3pm. Activities will also be held at the Carleton Place Public Library and in the town park behind the library. Indigenous artists and artisans will sell their unique handmade wares in the church hall. There will be a wide variety of dream catchers, jewellery, books, paintings, cards, and beadwork, at various price points. The fair is taking place on the day before Mother’s Day, so attendees are encouraged to consider purchasing unique gifts from the artisans.

From 10am to 12pm, the Fair will feature free, authentic Indigenous children’s games grounded in traditional and contemporary cultures. These include Inuit leg wrestling, axe throwing, pick-up sticks, Anishinaabemowin language-based word searches, and rock painting. The organizers are seeking Indigenous youth and young adults to volunteer as game station leaders. No prior experience is necessary, and interested volunteers can contact Lisa at lisaannegarrett@gmail.com. Volunteer opportunities are also available for non-Indigenous people.

The library will host a reading session with Indigenous authors Judi Merle and Karole Dumont at 1pm. After the readings, there will be time for questions and book sales.

In the trees beside the church, there will be a red dress display to honour murdered and missing Indigenous relatives, along with information about the Moosehide Campaign to end gender-based violence. Legacy of Hope will also be present to highlight their work with residential school survivors and education.

Two group art classes led by Indigenous artist Naomi Blondin are planned for the Fair. Pre-registration and a fee are required to cover workshop materials. Details can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

The Fair will feature drumming by the Lanark Drum Circle. Attendees are welcome to bring their own drums or simply come to listen and participate vocally. The songs are described as sacred prayers and a powerful form of healing. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided during the drumming session. More details will be posted on the Facebook event page.

The organizers look forward to seeing everyone on May 11 and encourage attendees to keep an open heart and listen. They conclude with a greeting in Anishinaabemowin: Gide’ aabijitoon bizindaman.

RMEO Easter Eggspress chugs into record-breaking season opener

RMEO Easter Eggspress
Photo credit: Chris Uhlig.

CHRIS UHLIG

The Easter Eggspress stopped at the Railroad Museum of Eastern Ontario (RMEO) here in Smiths Falls last Saturday to launch the 2024 museum season. Visitors from all over the region came by to visit. If you were lucky, you may even have spotted Easter bunny John hopping around the grounds of the museum.

Executive director Becky Allen announced in a press release: “This year’s Easter Eggspress was the largest to date and exceeded our expectations. We are thrilled to have welcomed over 600 guests to our museum.” In fact, it was 612 visitors that flocked to the museum to watch and partake in the many activities offered. Aside from the ever popular train rides, the event included a scavenger hunt, a petting zoo, pony rides for the young, and other children’s activities ranging from bunny face painting, train tables, to outdoor games and Easter crafts.

Photo credits: Chris Uhlig.

“It was heartwarming to see families come together to enjoy a day of Easter fun and railway exploration. We are grateful for the overwhelming support from tourists and also those who came from the local community, as well. We look forward to continuing to provide enriching experiences for visitors of all ages throughout the 2024 season, added Tony Humphrey, President of the Board of Directors.

The next major event at the RMEO will be the Modular Railway Rally on April 27th, followed in August by the ever popular Trainfest, Hallow’s Express in September, and the North Pole Express in November and December. The museum will also offer train rides on Sundays during May.