South Frontenac – Page 2 – The Lakes and Trails Festival

2018 Festival Final Report

The Second annual Lakes and Trails Festival took place on July 14, 2018 at the Point Park in Sydenham. The participant evaluations (56) and comments from the volunteers were overwhelmingly positive.

There were 405 registered participants, up from an estimated 385 last year. 230 came from South Frontenac, 172 from outside the Township and 3 did not state a location. When asked at registration what their main activity interests were 103 said cycling, 102 paddling, 87 the historic walk, music and 38 other. Many did not enter an interest and many entered more than one.
Most participants heard about the Festival from family or friends (116), 63 identified Facebook as their source of information, followed by posters (36) and newspapers (32).

The event focused on four main components: cycling, boating, the historic walk and music.

Cycling

The main cycling feature was an Around the Lake bike lead by South Frontenac Rides. Approximately 45 people took part in one of the 21, 36 and 44-kilometer bike loops. Another 25 joined the “Family Cycle”, 8 kilometers out and back on the Cataraqui trail. The Cycle Skills competition was busy for the whole morning and ran overtime. Similarly, use of the cycle repair station and the helmet fitting service was steady. The bike parking was less well used.

Boating

Boating started slowly but picked up with dozens using boats supplied by Frontenac Outfitters for short personal trips supervised by the Sydenham Canoe Club. Many people also participated by swimming at the Point.
The Kingston Dragon Boat Club was unable to participate this year due to scheduling conflict. The Cataraqui Canoe Club lead a trip on the lake with 15 boats participating.

Walking

The walking event was a historic 3-kilometre walking tour of Sydenham, including a stretch on the Cataraqui Trail and in downtown Sydenham. Five historic interpreters, dressed in period costumes, met participants at set locations and told stories about different aspects of Sydenham’s history. The crowds were large and went on after the formal closure of the event.

Music

Gary Raspberry, a children’s performer, lead a rapt audience of about 40 in a hour long performance under a tree on the Point. The afternoon “Music-on-Mill Street” was attended by about 50 over the two hours. It was hot with little shade. The music was enjoyed by those that came and others that passed by.

Food

The food was beef on a bun and salads organized by volunteers working South Frontenac Community services. Trousdale’s General store provided ice cream for all participants. There was enough food and service was well organized and generally received favourable comments.

Organizations that set up booths at the event included, The County of Frontenac; South Frontenac Township; The Cataraqui Conservation Authority; the Kingston Frontenac Public Library -which organized giant lawn games for children; The Cataraqui Canoe Club; The Rideau Trail; The Kingston Field Naturalists; Reptile Rescue Kingston; Frontenac Provincial Park; Kingston Frontenac Public Health Unit; and South Frontenac Community Services.

The results of this survey indicate that the Festival had resonance both as a local community celebration and as an attraction drawing people from Kingston and farther a field to South Frontenac.

2018 Festival Wonderful

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated and came to the 2018 Lakes and Trails Festival. It was a wonderful event and, most importantly, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It took a community to make it happen: thank you everyone.

Full Lakes and Trails 2018 Activity Schedule

The linked poster includes the complete 2018 Lakes and Trails Festival activity list. Please feel free to run off and post. Bring you bikes, boats, swim suits and walking shoes, or just come for the conversation and to find out more about South Frontenac’s natural beauty, active lifestyle and history. We look forward to seeing you all on July 14.

Lakes and Trails final 2018 8 x 11

Walk Historic Sydenham at the Lakes and Trails Festival

The second annual Lakes and Trails Festival is on July 14 in Sydenham Ontario. It celebrates the areas natural beauty, active lifestyle and history.

Sydenham is a historic village dating back to early 1800s. It is home to Canada’s longest continually running general store and has vibrant industrial and cultural history.

The walk of historic Sydenham follows a 2 kilometre route with local history interpreters. The historic interpreters will be on the route from 9:30 am to noon.

Go at your own pace. The walk starts at The Point Park. Come at a time convenient to you and hear stories from Sydenham’s past.

If you want a longer walk Sydenham is close to the junction of the Cataraqui Trail, the K+P Trail and the Rideau Trail. Frontenac Provincial Park is only 12 Kilometers north. All provide wonderful hiking options.

After the walk stay for a free community lunch – donations appreciated – and a free music concert on Mill Street. There will be a not-free beer garden and coffee patio with other treats.

Other events include paddling on the lake, cycling around the lake, a cycle skills competition, a children’s music concert with Gary Raspberry and a variety of other activities and booths. Join-in where you can.

Registration begins at 9:30 in Sydenham’s Point Park and the music ends at 4. Come any time.

The Around the Lake Bike Routes Map

There are three Around the Lake bike routes: 21K, 32K and 44K. About 70% of the trips are on the Cataraqui Trail and the K+P Trail. Paved, low-speed, low-volume country roads make up the rest with one 200 meter stretch on a paved shoulder of Sydenham Road, and 80k/hr arterial road. There are a few gentle hills but the routes are primarily flat.

The routes can be viewed at: Lakes_Trails Festival-Around the Lake (2)

Cycling at the Lakes and Trails Festival

The Lakes and Trails Festival is held annually in Sydenham Ontario. It celebrates the areas natural beauty, active lifestyle and history.

Cycling events include:

The Around the Lake Bike. Bike around Sydenham Lake on off-road trails and on quiet, low-speed, paved rural roads. The 21-kilometre loop leaves the Point Park at 10:30, the 34K loop leaves at 10:00, and the 44K loop leaves at 9:30.

The Family Bike. An 8-kilometre trip out and back on the Cataraqui Trail beside Sydenham Lake.

The Cycle Skills Competition. Suitable for cyclists from training wheels to advanced. The Paper Route, the Zig Zag and the Slow Bike events will be scored and a leader board will be kept through the morning. Prizes will be awarded to the winners by event and age.

Yellow Bikes will help with bicycle maintenance. Helmet fitting and safety instruction will be available. All cyclist will be given bells and lights.

Other events include paddling on the lake, a community lunch, historic village walk, swimming and Music-on-Mill Street in the afternoon.

Registration begins at 9:30 in Sydenham’s Point Park and the music ends at 4. Come any time.

Thank you to Early 2018 Sponsors – More Needed

The Lakes and Trails Organizing Committee would like to thank the community sponsors who have already come forward to make the July 14, 2018 Festival possible. With their early help we are able to expand the number activities at this year Festival and add a free “Music on Mill Street” concert in the afternoon from 2-4. There will also be a concert by Gary Raspberry, a well known local children’s performer, on the Point in the morning. More details to follow. We also need more sponsors to ensure we can cover all our costs and continue into 2019.

The 2018 sponsors, as of May 3, are:

Barb’s Handmade Pierogi
Beckwith Contracting
Clinton Family Dentistry
CyclePath
Frontenac Outfitters
Frontenac Cycle
KFL+A Public Health Unit
Nancy Bayly
RBC Sydenham Branch
Ross Sutherland
South Frontenac Rides
South Frontenac Township
Sydenham Canoe Club
Sydenham Veterinary Services
Trailhead
Trousdale’s General Store
Trousdale’s Funeral Home

Cycle Skills Competitions

The Lakes and Trails Festival this summer will feature a Cycle Skills competition, with prizes for different age groups. A leader board will be kept through the morning and participants are welcome to try again and improve their score. The skills events are:

1) The Paper Boy – Ride through a course with a bag of newspapers and deposit them in barrels – judged on time and accuracy

2) The Zig Zag – Ride between the lines on a pre-determined zig zag course. This event is geared towards younger riders, including those with training wheels – judged on accuracy.

3) The Slow Bike – How long can you take to ride between two points. – slowest rider wins!

Other cycling events at the Lakes and Trials Festival include the Around the Lake bike (21, 36 and 44K loops) and a 5k family cycle on the Cataraqui Trail. Bells, lights, and helmet fitting will be available to riders.

For more information on the Festival visit: https://lakesandtrailsfestival.org/.

See you on July 14. Bring you bike, boat and walking shoes.

2018 Festival July 14

Organizing is underway for the 2018 Lakes and Trails Festival.

The Festival will be held on Saturday, July 14 with activities at the Point park in Sydenham village, South Frontenac, 9:30am to 2pm. We hope to expand the festival to include live music on George and Mill Streets with opportunities to enjoy a drink or coffee after a morning of activity.

The Festivals will include a bike around the Lake with an added short bike out and back on the Cataraqui Trail for younger families. Paddling will again be organized by the Sydenham Canoe club. Local residents and historical interpreters will organize a new version of the walking tour of Sydenham village.

To see pictures of last years festival click the Picture item on the top menu.

See you on July 14.

Participation Pays at Festival

All participants in the Lakes and Trails Festival will get an InFrontenac T-shirt, modeled by Bob, an ice cream cone, courtesy of Trousdale’s General Store, a community BBQ, paid for by the Festival sponsors, and a water bottle from the KFL+A Public Health Unit.

Participation involves signing up, then doing something active, whatever is within your ability: bike, swim, play an giant outdoor game, walk, explore Sydenham’s history, try a dragon boat, paddle on the lake. Bring your own boat or try one supplied by Frontenac Outfitters. Everyone is welcome and all events are free.

See you on Saturday, July 15 from 10-2 at the Point in Sydenham.