Culture and Heritage

The heritage of Northumberland County has defined our present culture making it both unique and truly different from other surrounding areas. Where once there were railways, there are now hiking trails; where old barns once sheltered animals, they have now become theatrical venues. Where stage coaches once carried pioneers along muddy tracts, the same routes, now paved, are used for themed driving tours. Where the Trent-Severn Waterway was once used to move lumber, it now moves pleasure crafts. Where once an agricultural community was diminishing in population, it is now a thriving specialty arts and crafts centre. Northumberland County has countless examples of how our heritage has influenced our present culture. 

The County is truly a four season getaway destination where nature is celebrated in all its beauty! In the springtime, our rural laneways are resplendent with colourful and fragrant lilacs; a new Lilac Festival will be held in Warkworth in 2011. In April, birds migrate north by the thousands through Presqu'ile Provincial Park as they hurry to their Arctic breeding grounds: In the summer, the Trent-Severn Waterway allows pleasure craft to explore its 386 km of rivers and locks; it has been called "one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world"! In 2011, this canal system is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In July, thousands of people are attracted to the fine arts and crafts tents at Cobourg's annual Waterfront Festival. In late September, on the Apple Route in Brighton celebrates the apple growing season with its popular Applefest featuring parades, crafts and melodious barbershop quartets. Winter allows us to use the numerous cross country ski trails in both the Ganaraska and Northumberland Forests.  In Northumberland County there is a season to suit everyone!

Cultural Diversity

This county really celebrates its cultural diversity! In March, Warkworth holds its 'sugaring off' at the Sandy Flat Sugar Bush; here you can eat fresh maple taffy drizzled in the snow. In the summer, there is live theatre resonating from our barns: The Brighton Barn, and the 400-seat Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford. Victoria Hall in Cobourg and the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre in Port Hope offer live performances in heritage buildings. For the child in all of us, ride the 1906 C.W. Parker Roseneath Carousel, or climb aboard an old pumper at the Canadian Firefighters Museum in Port Hope, a box car at Memory Junction train museum, or plow your way through the corn maze, at Cricklewood Farm in Brighton.

Events throughout Northumberland define who we are and give us cause to celebrate that fact. County-wide and annually each September, the Northumberland Hills Studio Tour allows you to be able to peek inside artisan studios hidden in our picturesque hamlets, towns and villages.

Each community has its own unique festivals throughout the year and here is just a sampling. In September, Port Hope features the All Canadian Jazz Festival, where you can join the opening parade with your musical instrument. Communities surrounding Rice Lake look forward to celebrating the fishing season with their inaugural Rice Lake Fishing Festival. Alderville First Nation celebrates native heritage with pow wows, native art and drum socials. Colborne has the world's biggest yard sale with its Trash n' Treasures Festival. If you love juicy ribs, try the gigantic Ribfest in Cobourg's Victoria Park in August. At Christmastime, on the banks of the Trent-Severn Waterway and in Old Mill Park in Campbellford, you will be dazzled by the mirrored reflection in the water, created by their Showcase of Lights. There really is such a diversity of cultural events in this county!