Central Frontenac Heritage Festival Achieves Stability
ust over a year ago, the future of the Central Frontenac Heritage Festival was in doubt. Since it was established as the Frontenac Heritage Festival 20 years ago, the festival has always been based on a decentralised model.
Groups in different Central Frontenac communities put on their own winter and heritage themed events, and send reps to the central group that is connected somehow to Central Frontenac Township, in order to put a schedule together and organise publicity.
In the fall of 2024, there was no one stepping forward to play that co-ordinating role, so it was left to the Central Frontenac Economic Development Committee to step in, which they did, and the 2025 festival was a success.
Out of that, a revamped Heritage Festival Committee, operating as a subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee, was in place for this year.
Cindy Kelsey, who has been involved in the festival for years, in Arden, which hosts three major events each year, is the council representative to the festival committee this year.
“We have had four meetings as a committee, with people coming from all of the groups putting on events, and it has been an exellent group, with more volunteers than in recent years, which is great,” she said.
The festival brochure, which will be printed and inserted in the Frontenac News on February 12th, is complete and the full schedule will be out soon.
The festival takes place on the Family Day weekend.
Highlights this year include a return of Empty Bowls as part of the Kennebec Hall events in Arden, on Saturday, February 14.
The festival kicks off on Friday evening, however, at both the Arden and Sharbot Lake Legions. The Arden Legion is putting on a Wing Night, from 4pm-10pm, and there is a BBQ Steak Dinner, starting at 5:30pm at the Sharbot Lake Legion, followed by the opening ceremonies at 7pm. For those seeking an early start in Sharbot Lake, there is also a Chili Lunch special on at the Cardinal Cafe.
The festival kicks into high gear on Saturday, Valentine's Day.
In Arden, the Kennebec Lake Association is partnering with Springwood Cottages to put on a winter fun day, at the Springwood Cottages beach. At the Kennebec Hall, Empty Bowls is on, a display from the Kennebec Historical Society, and events at both the library branch and ice rink, all at Kennebec Park at 5998 Arden Road. And across the road at the Legion, an open mic runs in the afternoon.
In Sharbot Lake, there is a full day of activities throughout the hamlet, starting with a breakfast at the Anglican Church. For really early risers, a fishing derby, put on by the Papineau family, runs from 4am – 2:30pm. The Oso Hall hosts children and youth activities from 10am-1pm, the library will have a display from the Oso Historical Society, as well as kid's activities, and the Railway Park, Masonic Lodge, and Youth Hub will all be open. The Legion hosts a Vendor Fair in the late morning, and early afternoon, and both the Cardinal Cafe and the Crossing Pub will have specials on. A dance and open mic, put on by Marlene Bertrim, is set for the evening at the Oso Hall, starting at 6:30pm.
Sunday in Arden is all about the Matson Farm's annual winter family fun day, and the Frontenac Addington Trappers will have a display at the farm this year.
Sharbot Lake is quieter on Sunday, but the Legion will be holding a watch party for the Daytona 500 at 1pm.
Mark the Heritage Festival on your c
