| Events, Festivals and Celebrations |
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The best way to find out about events is to go to the web site and use the searchable database that includes over 300 events. You can search in each month to find events that meet your needs. Here’s a small sampling of some popular annual events in the region.
On the Water
You will find many events focusing on the water, including boat shows and races, fishing tournaments, even a whitewater paddling festival.
Look for the Antique Boat Show in Clayton in early August. Gananoque hosts the Power Boat Poker Run in late August and Alexandria Bay hosts the event in early June. Watertown offers up Black River Days featuring whitewater paddling and rafting downtown in mid-July.
Nature Events
Some events focus on the 1000 Islands environment. Watertown’s Fragile Wilderness is held each February. Clayton hosts an annual Decoy and Wildlife Art Show in July. Wellesley Island State Park’s Minna Anthony Common Nature Center hosts many nature events, including Autumn Festival in early October.
Music Festivals
Warm summer weather is reason to make music. Enjoy weekly waterfront band concerts in many communities, or watch for special summer concerts by arts organizations and major music festivals hosted by several communities.
Brockville hosts Riverfest in early July. Dexter hosts their own Riverfest in late July. Gananoque’s Festival of the Islands takes place in early August. Kingston’s unique Buskers Rendezvous, featuring street performers, takes place in July. The 1000 Islands Bluegrass Festival takes place in early June at Stone Mills.
Ethnic Events
Ethnic events are always great family fun. March brings Irish Fest to Watertown. Cape Vincent’s famous French Festival take place in early July. In early September, Kingston offers Celtic Fest, while Watertown offers Bravo Italiano.
Community Festivals
Enjoy small town spirit at community festivals. Bill Johnston’s Pirates Days is an early August tradition in Alexandria Bay. Adam’s Strawberry Festival is held mid-June. Sackets Harbor stages its Can-Am Festival in July. The Lansdowne Fair is a great country tradition in mid-August.
Patriotic Celebrations
Here on the international border, the first week of July means patriotic celebrations. Canada Day (July 1) and American Independence Day (July 4) are honored with fireworks, parades and concerts at communities throughout the region.
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