Sydenham Ontario – The Lakes and Trails Festival

2022 Lakes and Trails Festival Report

This post contains the final report on the 2022 Lakes and Trails Festival, a history of the Festival and some of the possible suggestions for future Festivals. Please read and comment with your suggestions. The last paragraph of the report says:

“There is great potential for a Festival built around these themes – South Frontenac’s natural beauty, history and active lifestyle . It showcases the area and fits into broader discussions on some of the strengths of South Frontenac. It attracts both residents and visitors. There is a volunteer base to do the work on the day, it just needs central organizing help.

lakes-and-trails-2022-tables-report Download

Bike Tune-up Clinic Registration Opens

Registration for the bike tune-up clinic at the Lakes and Trails Festival, July 16 in Sydenham, has opened.

Bring your bike, your children’s bikes, any bike, and get them tuned up by Cycle Kingston’s professional mechanics.

There is a suggested donation of $30 per bike, all proceeds will go to GearUp Kingston, a social enterprise that employs youth and sells recycled bicycles at an affordable price. You can register to save your spot today or drop-in with your bike, first come first served. Payments and donations will be accepted at the event by cash or card.

The professional bicycle tune-up service is one of many activities at the Festival including: group cycling activities, a children’s entertainer (11am), a self-guided historical mystery adventure in Sydenham, and the Natural Heritage Expo featuring over 25 exhibitions and booths.

You can also donate your old bike and GearUp will renovate it as part of their program.

The Natural Heritage Expo: 24 Exhibitions and Counting

Many organizations will be coming to the Natural Heritage Expo at the 2022 Lakes and Trails Festival. They will showcase the wonderful natural features of South Frontenac: what they are, how to enjoy them, and how to improve them.

Included among the booths are: 20180714_095611

A pop-up library and giant lawn games from the Kingston-Frontenac Public Library.
A pickleball demonstration by the Frontenac Pickleball Club.
A “Collect and Protect” contest run by the Wolfe Lake Association to protect our lakes and wildlife from lead tackle. Everyone is encouraged to go through their tackle boxes, bag up any lead sinkers, jigs, etc., (we will also accept lead shot) and bring them to our booth. Please label your bag with contact information because prizes will be awarded to those turning in the most lead by weight. There will also be information on the deadly impacts of lead fishing tackle on wildlife, such as loons and bald eagles. Thank you for helping to protect wildlife. Let’s Get the Lead Out!
Information on development processes, the Official Plan, Zoning, Building and Sewage approvals from the Township Development Services Department
An obstacle course run by Elements Fitness & Wellness.

There will be booths, displays, maps, and people to talk with about South Frontenac’s natural wonders. Discover where you can hike, canoe or bike. Learn more about the natural environment, the local plants, animals and aquatic life. Find out about how to improve your property, help the environment, and much more. These organizations will be part of the Natural Heritage Expo:

Battersea Loughborough Lake Association
Cataraqui Canoe Club
Cataraqui Conservation/Cataraqui Trail
Dog & Cranberry Lake Association
Early-On Program
Eco Adventure Day Camp
Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre
Elements Fitness and Wellness
Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network
Frontenac County/ K+P Trail
Frontenac Provincial Park
Girl Guides of Canada
Inverary Lake Association
KF Public Library
Kingston Field Naturalists
Kingston Hockey Development Centre
Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee
Queen’s University Research – Detecting Invasive Species
Queen’s University Research – Road Salt Runoff
South Frontenac Museum
South Frontenac Township Planning and Building Department
Southern Frontenac community Services
Sydenham Lake Association
Watersheds Canada
Wolf Lake Association

The Lakes and Trails Festival is an annual community Festival celebrating South Frontenac’s natural beauty, history and active lifestyle. Other featured activities include biking events and a walking tour of historic Sydenham.

Come on out and join us on Saturday, July 16 from 9am to 1pm at The Point Park in Sydenham. Check out our website or Facebook page for more details and updates. All events are free and family friendly.

Children Events at the Lakes and Trail Festival

Children have a special place at the 2022 Lakes and Trails Festival July 16, 9am to 1pm.

Child friendly cycling, ice cream, an obstacle course, swimming, a story book walk, reptiles and and Gaelen Strahedee, a children’s performer, are central to this year’s Festival. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of activity, music, food and community.

Child Friendly Cycling – leaves The Point at 9am.

The family cycle is 8 beautiful kilometers of flat riding beside Sydenham Lake on the Cataraqui Trail: perfect for younger families.

Story Book Walk – Guided at 10am

Early-on learning is setting up a story book walk in Sydenham. Families can go anytime. Early On will be leading a guided walk at 10am.

Children’s Concert – 11am.

At 11 am there is an interactive concert with children’s performer, Gaelen Strathdee. Gaelen will be playing on the Point near the play structure.

gaelen Strathdee

Ice Cream

Trousdale’s General Store will be at the Festival. They are providing one free scoop of ice cream to all participants in an activity, and $1.00 scoops after that.

Games, An Obstacle Course and Much More

The Kingston Frontenac Library will have their giant yard games, Elements Fitness will be setting up an obstacle course and Girl Guides will have a variety of games.

After singing, cycling and playing games enjoy an ice cream from Trousdale’s and a swim at The Point beach.

The Lakes and Trails Festival is an annual community Festival. It celebrates the areas natural beauty, active lifestyle and history. Other events include a 21k Around-the-Lake bike, a bike tune-up clinic, The Natural Heritage Expo, swimming, and the Historic Sydenham Outdoor Escape Adventure.

Registration begins at 8:45 in Sydenham’s Point Park, come any time until 1:00. All events are free.

Cycling at the 2022 Lakes and Trails Festival

Cycling will again be a main activity at this year’s Lakes and Trials Festival, July 16 , 2022.

The Around-the-Lake bike, a 21-kilometre route on an off-road trial and low speed country roads, will circle Sydenham Lake. Guides will lead the group. It is a Festival favourite.

The Family-Cycle, an 8-kilometre route on a flat off-road trial bedside Sydenham Lake, is a great opportunity for families, and new cyclists to enjoy the Cataraqui Trail, scenic Sydenham Lake and find their cycling legs. Two experienced guides will go with the group.

Maps for longer bike routes, suitable for more experienced cyclists, will be available at the Festival.

Get your bike tuned up by a professional bike mechanic at a Tune-Up Clinic run by Cycle Kingston. The Clinic provides a valuable service , getting your bike running smoothly, and raises money for Gear-Up a social enterprise to train youth in the skills and business of cycling. There is a suggested donation for this service of $30.

Nature Heritage Expo Coming to the Lakes and Trails Festival

The Natural Heritage Expo is coming to the 2022 Lakes and Trails Festival.

The Expo will showcase the many wonderful natural features of South Frontenac: what they are, how to enjoy them, and how to improve them.

Many organizations will be present with booths, displays, maps, and people to talk with about South Frontenac’s natural wonders. Discover where you can hike, canoe or bike. Learn more out about the natural environment, the local plants, animals and aquatic life. Find out about how to improve your property, help the environment, and much more.

Hats and More at the Lakes and Trails Festival

Everyone who participates in an activity at the Lakes and Trails Festival will receive a hat. Everyone who registers will get a ticket for lunch and an ice cream cone. Those that try the cycle skills course will get a bell for their bike. And there is a bike mechanic to help you with simple repairs.

What you need to do is come along prepared to join in where you can. Walk, bike, paddle, swim, and/or enjoy the music, company and good food. Basically, come out and have a good time.

Did we mention that there is a clean lake to cool off in, shade to listen to music under, and ice to keep your water cold? If you have one, bring your reusable water bottle. If not, no worries, we have some for free from the Public Health Unit.
hats
The Lakes and Trails Festival is this Saturday, July 20, from 9-2 in the Point Park, Sydenham. Everyone is welcome; come any time; all events, lunch and music are free.

Lakes and Trail Festival 2019 Site Map

Look at what’s happening at the third annual Lakes and Trails Festival, this coming Saturday, July 20, in Sydenham, South Frontenac.

For a PDF of the map click: site map 2019 pdf 2

Kids at the Lakes and Trails Festival

A variety of actives, prizes, free ice cream and friendly people welcome children, from toddlers to teenagers, to the Lakes and Trails Festival. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of activity, music, food and community.

Child Friendly Cycling

The cycle skills competition is ideal for younger riders. Each participant will receive a prize with larger prizes for winners by age group.

The family cycle is 8 beautiful kilometres of flat riding beside Sydenham Lake on the Cataraqui Trail: perfect for younger families.

The helmet fitters and cycle repair station will work with younger riders to improve their safety and their bike’s condition.

Dragon Boat

Joining the crew on the Dragon boats is lots of fun and works for most children who can hold a paddle.

Children’s Concert

At 11 am there is a concert with Children’s performer, Gary Raspberry. Gary will be playing on the Point near the play structure.

Reptiles

The Reptile rescue group will bring a variety of reptiles for learning and touching, an annual favourite with children (and adults).

The Lakes and Trails Festival celebrates the areas natural beauty, active lifestyle and history. Other events include paddling on the lake, a community lunch, historic village walk, swimming, live music in the park and booths on outdoor activity.

Registration begins at 9:00 in Sydenham’s Point Park, come any time until 2:00. All events are free.

Final Poster and Timetable Released

The final poster and timetable of the Third Annual Lakes and Trails Festival can be found at: 2019-06-11_Lakes-Trails-Festival_Poster_8.5×11.

Please run off a few and post them around your neighbourhood.

Come to the Lakes and Trails Festival and enjoy the natural beauty, active lifestyle and history of South Frontenac.

Activities include:

A bike around the lake, a family cycle and a cycle skills course.
Paddling a dragon boat or trying a new canoe or kayak.
Taking the historic walk around Sydenham and walking the trails.
A live children’s show with Gary Raspberry and noon hour concert with the Saggy Bottom Boys.
Swimming, a free lunch, and many booths and other activities.