A special submission from Sadie. Click to scroll through the slideshow.
Hearing My Way
read more
submitted
Mariposa Folk Festival 2026 Sounds Like Home
Full lineup and ticket link below, to plan your Mariposa Folk Festival Experience! The iconic Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 3 to 5 with a superb lineup that includes Father John Misty, Sarah Harmer, Sharon Van Etten, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Taj Mahal,...
Matthew Good Acoustic Trio live in Innisfil
Matthew Good Acoustic Triolive in Innisfil in Support ofGilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka is proud to announce the return of A Sunday Afternoon, a signature summer event bringing the community together in support of individuals and families...
How a neighbourhood clean up turned into a grass-roots movement in Barrie
Clean Up Barrie —by Jen Slykhuis Clean Up Barrie’s success story in 2025 began long before the first green shirts with bright orange letters appeared on sidewalks that spring. The organization, founded in 2020 at the height of community uncertainty and isolation,...
Oro-Medonte Tennis Club Welcomes New Members for the 2026 Season
Oro-Medonte Tennis Club —submitted Serving Up Another Season in Horseshoe Valley Tucked into the scenic setting of Horseshoe Valley, the Oro-Medonte Tennis Club is preparing to welcome players back for another exciting season on the courts. Located at Horseshoe Valley...
CLUE in the Orillia Opera House coming April 9-19, various times
Upcoming Mariposa Arts Theatre Production Happening Soon by submitted Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) invites audiences to enjoy an evening of mystery, mayhem, and laughter with their upcoming production of CLUE, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by...
Grass roots organization has raised over $60,000 USD towards Hurricane Melissa relief in Jamaica
Tallawah Foundation for Jamaican Hurricane Relief by Kai Dear Tallawah actually started the day after Hurricane Melissa. My sister, my cousin, and I were at school in North America, watching everything unfold back home in Jamaica. We couldn’t reach some of our family...
Ontario Farmland Trust adds local farm to over 3000 protected acres in Ontario
Oro-Medonte McBride Farm Put in Trust —submitted The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is pleased to announce the permanent protection of the McBride Farm as its 31st protected farm, bringing the total permanently conserved acreage to 3,241.03 acres. This marks OFT’s 8th...
Fetch a life-changing prize in the Ontario SPCA’s Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery
Ontario SPCAand Humane SocietySpring Fundraiser by submitted The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Spring Draws for Paws 50/50 Lotteryis back, giving Ontarians the chance to win a major cash prizewhile making a meaningful difference for animals across the province.The...
Spring Sessions of Flag Football start on May 2, register today!
Spring YouthNFL Flag FootballComes to Orillia -submittedYouth athletes in the Orillia area are invited to join the Spring Youth NFL Flag Football League, a safe, non-contact, and beginner-friendly program for kids ages 10-16. This exciting league provides a fun...
Local fiddler and square dance caller organize fundraising event for COPE dogs at Eady Hall
World Fiddle Day May 16 —submitted Local fiddler and square dance caller organize fundraising event for COPE dogs at Eady Hall Numerous countries have embraced the concept of a “Fiddle Day”, on the 3rd Saturday in May. In 2015, the Canadian Parliament, in order to...
Newcomer family volunteers at Repair Café in Orillia, and everyone benefits
Repair Café:A Family Tradition — by Naheed Syed When I first heard about the Repair Café, I instantly felt interested. The concept was simple but powerful: repair what was broken, reuse what you could, repurpose what still had life, and prevent items from ending up in...
Two wonderful upcoming concert band shows at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia
The Orillia Concert Band is celebrating 40 years, and we want you to join us! — submitted On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Orillia Concert Band will celebrate its 40th anniversary milestone at its Spring Concert. The show will be held at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia. The...
Come out, walk and raise funds for those in need, February 28 in Orillia
The LighthouseCalls on Orilliato Step Into the Cold forColdest Night of the Year 2026 — submitted The Lighthouse is once again inviting those in Orillia and surrounding areas to come together for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY), a nationwide winter walk in support of...
Discover Art and Autumn Beauty at the Oro-Medonte Images Studio Tour
Discover Art and Autumn Beauty at the Oro-Medonte Images Studio TourThis Thanksgiving weekend, October 10 through 13, Oro-Medonte comes alive with colour, creativity, and community as the Images Studio Tour returns for its annual celebration of the arts.Hosted by the...
NSVS: Care and Response to those in Crisis
We want to help raise awareness of this amazing service. Please help support their work.Crisis Response ~ Caring Support Providing caring and timely response to those in crisis. Reducing the impact of crime and tragic circumstance. Supporting resolutions.VCAO Services...
Expanding programs for older adults in the community
Orillia Joins Ontario’s Seniors Active Living Centre Program —submitted The City of Orillia is pleased to announce its official designation as part of Ontario’s Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) program, a move that will enhance opportunities for older adults in the...
Revamped Art and culture awards – Celebrating the best and brightest
North Simcoe Art and Culture Awards Nominations Now Open Following six successful years of joint Art and Heritage Awards, the Orillia & District Arts Council (ODAC) and Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) have concluded their partnership in the Orillia...
Acclaimed Canadian Folk Festival draws huge crowds, woos younger fans with special performances
Legendary Mariposa Folk Festival Celebrates 65th Edition — submitted “Playing the Mariposa Folk Festival is a badge of honour for folk artists around the world.” - Exclaim! “Colin Linden referred to Mariposa as the gold standard of folk festivals, while his Blackie...
Fiddling and Dancing for Service Dogs in Eady
Fiddle Jam/Old Time Dance/Square Dance At Eady Community Hall, Fundraiser For Cope Service Dogs On the Saturday May 17 the EADY Community Hall in Oro-Medonte Township was filled to capacity. What a day! A great day! A super day! A tremendous day! We did it, we...
Orillia Repair Café — New Date June 14
Orillia Repair Café New Date June 14 Following up on our article about the Orillia Repair Cafe in the Feb/March 2025 edition of North Simcoe Life, please note an important update! Originally scheduled for April 5, the Repair Cafe was postponed due to the ice storm. ...
Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup, Lightfoot Exhibit and Photo Retrospective makes this summer one for the musical books!
A Mariposa Summer — submitted Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup, Gordon Lightfoot Exhibit and Photos from the Mariposa Folk Festival makes this summer one for the musical books! The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 4 to 6 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a fantastic...
Lakehead University Selected as Preferred Site for New Orillia Hospital
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Updates — submittedIn a historic announcement with the potential to profoundly advance access to quality healthcare and education in the community, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Lakehead University are excited to...
Roots North Music Festival Returns to Downtown Orillia April 24 to 27, 2025
Roots North Music FestivalReturns to Downtown Orillia April 24 to 27, 2025 Homegrown festival features headlinersRoyal Wood and Jully Black“Roots” is a unique festival that offers free concerts at venues throughout downtown Orillia (and beyond) while at the same time...
CFUW Orillia’s annual Homes for Scholarships Tour
Annual CFUW Orillia Event RaisesFunds for Scholarships for Young Women by Jo LanghamIf you have ever walked down a street and admired a neighbour’s wrap-around porch, or walked the dog at night and loved the glimpse you got inside a home with its lights on and...