Field Notes: Bringing You the Best Events for Summer 2025

Orangeville Northmen Hit the Big Screen

What began as a short video about the Orangeville Northmen has blossomed into a full-length documentary about the powerhouse lacrosse team — and the small town that consistently produces exceptional players and coaches.

Brothers Jake and Zack Thompson of Bumpy Road Productions produced The Northmen Way — A Lacrosse Story in association with the Northmen Alumni Association. The film hits the big screen at the Orangeville Town Hall Opera House from July 3 to 6. The two brothers — born and raised in Orangeville — have been playing lacrosse since childhood and knew the story of the Orangeville Northmen, which dates to 1978, was worth sharing. 

“For such a small town, Orangeville produces a crazy number of players who go on to the professional leagues,” Jake explains, with Zack adding that Orangeville is often nicknamed the “goalie factory.” Zack says the success of the team can be attributed to the high-quality coaching juniors receive from day one, and the dedication of families like the Sandersons, who have been the backbone of the local lacrosse community for decades. 

“We had people dropping off grocery bags and boxes full of VHS tapes and black-and-white photos,” says Zack, who along with his brother also spent hours in the archives of the Museum of Dufferin. “And even if you’re not a lacrosse player, you’ll still be entertained and hopefully enjoy seeing your small town on film.” Visit our What’s On page for a full calendar of summer happenings.

Classic Theatre Orangeville

Theatre Orangeville presents its Summer Arts Fest August 8 to 10, featuring North (519) Best of Toronto Fringe. Then mark your calendar as the theatre’s 32nd season opens with The Norm Effect: A Three Day Adventure Through Foster’s World, readings from three plays by renowned Canadian playwright Norm Foster from September 17 to 21. Next, enjoy the witty and touching comic misadventure of two modern lovers in The Wonder of It All, on from October 9 to 26.

Calling all Cinephiles

The second annual Dufferin Film Festival returns August 15 to 17 at the Town Hall Opera House with film screenings, meet-and-greets, a Friday Night Social and a VIP Awards Cocktail Night. “Last year’s launch went incredibly well; we sold out almost every event, the energy was fabulous, and we already have people calling and asking when tickets go on sale,” says Kelly McDowell, the festival’s founder and director. “This year we’re moving from a two- to a three-day festival. And we already have more submissions than we did last year.” Tickets go on sale in late June, visit dufferinfilmfest.com.

Medieval Merriment

The inaugural Headwaters Medieval Faire takes over the Orangeville Fairgrounds from June 28 to 29. Enter a world of knights and princesses, and watch the horseback jousting troupe Knights of Valour. Visit faires.ca/headwaters

A Summer of Celebrations

Headwaters explodes with fairs, festivals and fun this season — get out your Google calendar or you might lose track. The Caledon Fair boasts agricultural events, Belgian horses, a petting zoo, an inflatable midway and a demolition derby from June 13 to 15 at the Caledon Fairgrounds. Caledon Day, at the Caledon East Community Complex on June 14, features Juno Award-winning band The Strumbellas and a fireworks finale. 

On June 20, Creemore’s Summer Solstice Festival fills the town with a drum circle, food trucks, line dancing, a maypole and a concert by Terra Lightfoot at the Creemore Village Green. 

This year the Rotary Club of Erin’s Summerfest — packed with live music, food and children’s and family activities — teams up with the Town of Erin on Canada Day, July 1, at the Erin Fairgrounds. At the same location, toast the Erin Fair’s 175th on July 5. A tractor parade starts in Hillsburgh and makes its way to the fairgrounds where more festivities await — all this in advance of the main event October 10 to 13. 

Cheltenham Day, also on July 5, has a country theme so dust off your cowboy boots for a day of community fun in this charming village. On August 28 the Peel-Dufferin Plowmen’s Association toasts their 100th year supporting local agriculture at the Peel-Dufferin Plowing Match at 14495 The Gore Road in Caledon. (For more info, the event title is their Facebook handle.)

Crafts and Cider

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery in Caledon opens its grounds to local vendors at two iterations of its Handcrafted with Love Artisan Market — July 26 to 27 and September 27 to 28. Enjoy live music in the Cider Gardens while sampling artisanal cider and freshly baked stone-oven pizza.

Heroes in Training

Get an authentic and immersive firefighting experience at Camp Molly, a free, four-day camp open to girls and non-binary youth ages 15 to 18 with comprehensive training in fire suppression, auto extrication, firefighter survival and more. The camp is held at a state-of-the-art training facility in Caledon Village from September 4 to 7. Learn more at campmolly.ca 

Advocating for the Arts

For almost a decade, Shelburne’s Streams Community Hub has been a driving force in making the arts come alive for young people. Now, the charity is seeking small donations to keep their organization sustainable. The One of 1000 campaign aims to find 1,000 people willing to give just $10 a month. “That small gift will keep our doors open so more kids can create, connect, find safety and grow in confidence,” says Juli-Anne James, who along with her husband, Andrew, founded the hub. Visit streamshub.org.

Child’s Play

Did you know there was once a Fisher-Price factory in Orangeville? Learn more about that and other childhood nostalgia at the Happy Days exhibit at the Museum of Dufferin, on until December 21. The exhibit presents a curated collection of old-fashioned toys and classic games, and other memorabilia. 

Catch the eye-popping Bubbleology show at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives on August 7 featuring Ontario’s own Miss T the Bubble Queen, known for doing impossible things with bubbles of all shapes and sizes, including a bubble cube, a tornado in a bubble and a person inside a bubble! 

Then it’s all aboard for a high seas adventure at PAMA’s Pirate Workshop on August 21 where young buccaneers will be regaled with pirate stories, games and activities including a museum-wide treasure hunt.

Plan Ahead

Fall marks the return of Culture Days events across the region. In Caledon, that means three weeks of free, hands-on experiences, shows and events that shine a light on Caledon’s creative and cultural vibrancy. Last year the festival ranked in the Top 10 across Canada. It kicks off on September 27 with the Caledon Creative Arts Festival, followed by Caledon CultureFest on October 4, and the Caledon Studio Tour from October 4–5. Keep an eye on culturedays.ca for more events across the region. On October 4, don’t miss Belfountain’s bicentennial bash marking 200 years with a street party and parade, live entertainment and classic cars. 

Stylish Staycations

If you’re looking for a holiday that doesn’t require crossing any borders, or better yet, doesn’t require much travel at all, consider checking in to a local spot for a break (and clean sheets). Bruno Roldan and Jacqui Liberty’s new The Liberty Inn in Caledon boasts five chic suites — bathrooms are lined with handmade tiles made by Liberty. The property also features an intimate Nordic spa in a walled garden.

Take advantage of summer dining, wine tasting, spa and golf promotions at Hockley Valley Resort in Mono. For classic country hospitality, visit Hillsburgh’s charming Tailwinds Bed & Breakfast or Grand Valley’s Sandhill Farm Bed and Breakfast.

Larry Kurtz & The Lawbreakers

The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival is done and dusted for another year, but founder and musician Larry Kurtz and his blues band The Lawbreakers — James Legere, Scott Bruyea and Sam Carothers — have a new album to celebrate. Take a Ride was released in May and the video for “Headwaters Hill Country” is available on YouTube.

A sample lyric: “Orangeville’s got the blues. Shelburne has the fiddles. Grand Valley has the river, running, riding down the middle … Headwaters hill country where the land sets you free, from Orangeville to Mulmur, it’s calling out to me.”