Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run marks 40 years

 This year’s Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run, held February 22, marked the 40th anniversary of the fun-filled event.

Started in 1985 by Elsie Chadwick, a Torontonian who cottaged in the area, it began as a way to showcase the Siberian husky sled dogs Chadwick adored. It also provided attendees an opportunity to have some fun during the long Muskoka winter and to replicate a sled dog mail run. It has evolved into an annual fundraising event.

The run starts in Humphrey and the sled dog teams participating travel the 17 kilometres to Rosseau. The “sledvelopes” with letters that have been prepared for the event are pre-purchased. They are placed into mail bags and loaded onto sleds that travel to the Rosseau Post Office. A portion of the “sledvelope” price is donated to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Centre.

Many businesses now help sponsor the event which includes a pancake breakfast, a Kidz zone activity area, a Beavertail food truck, a food hall, a beer tent and local musicians. Organizers said this year’s event was “simply incredible” and thank businesses, volunteers, snowmobile club, community groups and Seguin Township staff for making the event “extra special.”

Huntsville Festival of the Arts unveils new intimate concert series

 A new intimate pop-up series of concerts began in March and will run to May at the downtown studio location of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, announced Hannah Naiman, HFA’s director of programs, education and outreach recently.

Folk musicians and singer/songwriters, including several local favourites, will be featured up close and unplugged in these house-style concerts. The series kicked off with Gina Horswood on March 13 and continues with James Gray with Hannah Naiman and Nathan Smith on April 10 and Emma Cook and Cindy Doire on May 1.

HFA Studio is located at 58 Main St. E (Riverfront entrance) in Huntsville. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 7 p.m. A $20 cash donation at the door is the suggested admission. BYOB and bring your favourite snacks to share.

“Come for the music, stay for the good vibes,” says Naiman. “It’s all about a night of music with friends at our “house.”

Speakers Series featured in Gravenhurst

 Artist Life Stories Speaker Series is Muskoka Discovery Centre’s series of intimate evenings with Canadian artists beginning May 1 in Gravenhurst.

Each event is a combination of live music, thought-provoking conversation and maybe even a surprise. The $60 ticket to each event includes two 40-minute interview sets, live performances and a meet and greet following the show.

Author, screenwriter and Officer of the Order of Canada Maureen Jennings will be the speaker at the Thursday, May 1 event. The creator of the beloved Murdoch Mysteries series, Jennings will share her latest work, The Charlotte Frayne Series, which explores pre-Second World War Toronto. She will also offer insights into the creative process and share personal photos.

Twin Flames is the Friday, September 26 offering in the series. A husband-and-wife duo, who share over 44 music awards and nominations, blend folk, rock and Indigenous spirit in their performances. Using English, French and Inuktitut, Twin Flames share their stories through song.

Tickets to the series are available at:    www.realmuskoka.com or at the office at 705-687-2115. Check in regularly for additional shows.

Annual Festival celebrates maple syrup

The true harbinger of spring and an iconic symbol of the country, maple syrup, will be on full display at the annual Muskoka Maple Festival, held in downtown Huntsville, Saturday, April 26.

The event is family friendly and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a full day of activities, vendors and displays, live music, street performers and food. Make sure to bring your appetite. Local  cafes, bakeries and restaurants will be serving up maple treats. A maple marketplace will feature many local syrup producers and gives you the chance to chat with them. Attendees can learn everything about the process from collecting sap to the production of the final product – maple syrup.

Once again, the Rotary Pancake Breakfast will run starting at 9 a.m. Throughout the day, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Muskoka will be offering maple taffy on snow. Live music featuring local musicians (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and wood carving demonstrations will take place on the Main Street. The Kiwanis Sap Run, a safe and fun fundraising event for kids has two options: a 500-metre distance with a 10:00 a.m. start for kids ages 3 to 7 and a 1-kilometre distance with a 10:15 a.m. start for kids ages 8 to 13. The registration for the run includes a free pancake breakfast at the Muskoka Maple Festival. There will be interactive activities and displays from local firefighters and paramedics as well.

The maple syrup festival marks the end of the Muskoka Maple Trail, a maple-themed tourism initiative that runs from March through to the end of April throughout Muskoka.

 Silver Bridge in Bracebridge is closed for repairs

Bracebridge’s iconic Silver Bridge over the Bracebridge Falls has been closed since early January, with no access to a portion of Ecclestone Drive.

During regular sidewalk snow clearing by the Town of Bracebridge, an operator noticed an issue with the bridge and notified the District of Muskoka. After a preliminary inspection, a “deformation of truss members” was confirmed. The District made the decision to close the bridge.

A senior structural engineer inspected the bridge and confirmed there were issues with the trusses. The District then erected barriers, fencing and signage to prevent vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the bridge.

Work is ongoing by the District to develop a repair plan. The bridge is regularly inspected and there was no indication of problems at the November 2024 inspection. There is currently no timeline for when the bridge will reopen.

 Easter Egg Hunts in Huntsville and Bracebridge

The annual Nutty Chocolatier Community Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Muskoka Heritage Place, 88 Brunel Road, Huntsville, on Sunday, April 20 at 12 p.m. Thousands of chocolate eggs are hidden around Muskoka Pioneer Village. Children are divided into age groups before the hunt begins. Then the hunt is on! It’s a 45-minute family event as kids scramble to find eggs. If some are lucky enough to find a golden egg, they receive a special prize from The Nutty Chocolatier. 

Bracebridge families can scramble for chocolate eggs on Friday, April 18 at noon sharp at the Bracebridge Fairgrounds. The annual Easter Egg Scramble, hosted by the Bracebridge Agricultural Society, is open to all children ages 10 and under. Participants should dress for the weather, bring their own basket and arrive at least 15 minutes early. Some farms animals will be available to pet and there will be an activity section presented by the District of Muskoka. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance.

District of Muskoka Launches Tariff Information Hub

 “Businesses across Muskoka are preparing for the impacts that U.S. tariff increases will have on trade, supply chains and Muskoka’s economy, and they need access to resources to help them be resilient as they navigate these economic shifts,” says District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman. “The Muskoka Tariff Information Hub connects local businesses and residents to valuable tools and provides access to the most recent information right at their fingertips,” said Chair Lehman in a recent news release.

The Muskoka Tariff Information Hub provides updates, resources and tools to help businesses and the public navigate the current tariff challenges. The website will be regularly updated with business support tools, public awareness initiatives, and relevant content.

The Team Muskoka tariff working group is led by the District’s new regional economic development and grants officer Luke Preston, with representatives from area municipalities, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations and business support groups. Since early February, the group has been meeting to identify resources for the new hub and other collaborative initiatives to support Muskoka’s tariff response.

The “Be Vocal About Shopping Local” marketing campaign is another way Team Muskoka is gearing up to support Muskoka businesses. The campaign encourages members of the community to highlight their favourite local businesses and outdoor spots, reinforcing the importance of making choices to spend and source items within the region whenever possible. Businesses and residents can get involved in the campaigns by following their local chamber’s social media channels.

Additional support for local businesses is available from local area municipality economic development officers (EDOs) and chambers of commerce. Visit venturemuskoka.ca to connect with local EDOs and chambers of commerce.

 Bracebridge marks its 150th Anniversary

Founded in 1875 as a village, the Town of Bracebridge will be marking its 150th anniversary with events held throughout the year.

“Rich in history, community spirit and natural beauty, Bracebridge has come a long way,” said Mayor Rick Maloney. Calling 2025 “…an opportunity to reflect on our past and celebrate the progress and growth that has brought us to where we are today,” the mayor called on the community to “…join me in celebrating a monumental year with special events, legacy projects around town, community gatherings, sharing stories and so much more.”

A signature community celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. It’s a weekend long event to celebrate Bracebridge’s arts, culture, and history at the Bracebridge Fairgrounds where attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors, games, activities and more.

The community can help the Town celebrate the sesquicentennial by sharing stories, photos and favourite locations that make Bracebridge so special. Submissions will be shared throughout the year to help celebrate the anniversary. Learn more and submit your entries at engagebracebridge.ca/bracebridge150.

 Register Now for High School Reunion

 Past students of Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School (the former Bracebridge High School) will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the school and the 150th anniversary of Bracebridge on Saturday, June 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. for a reception and an opportunity to mingle and reconnect with classmates, friends and staff.

Following the reception, participants can join friends on the dance floor as they rock to the tunes of two local bands – Wheelhouse and The Griffin Pub Band. This is a ticketed event on a first come, first serve basis for former students, staff and guests. This celebration is also providing an opportunity to give back to the community’s roots with all net proceeds going to the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation.