Coldwater Communique
— by Lois Rooney-Giurin
It’s Summertime in Coldwater and that means that all the merchants are working extra hard to make the summer fun!
Coldwater’s inaugural Pride event was held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, featuring the Coldwater Pride Market along the Coldwater Road. This inclusive event, hosted by Total You and the Coldwater Coven, brought together 2SLGBTQIA+ local artisans, small businesses, and performers.
Severn Connects, held July 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Coldwater Fairgrounds, was a festive way for Coldwater Residents to get to know the people who work for the community at the Township Office. There was face painting, games, bubbles and lots of things to take home.
It was also an opportunity for Severn residents to learn about and register for programs at the Severn Library and Severn Recreation, get information on building permits and dog licenses, purchase annual fire permits, connect with the County of Simcoe, the OPP, and local business support services, and enrol in pre-authorized payments and pre-order rain barrels.
The Severn Connects event scheduled in Cumberland Beach was cancelled due to weather. If you missed the Coldwater Day, you have another chance! Check out the Township website for the new date.
Coldwater Charity Bike Night & Show and Shine has started again! This weekly motorcycle meetup runs throughout the summer, often featuring a dedicated Show and Shine with trophies, food, and 50/50 draws. It takes place every Tuesday evening starting at 6 p.m. (Bikes usually arrive around 5 p.m.) at the Coldwater Bowling Centre, 19 Michael Anne Drive, Coldwater. All makes and models of bikes are welcome. It’s a family-friendly community event and proceeds go to local charities. Check out the Coldwater Bike Night Facebook Group for exact trophy nights and weather updates.
There’s one more chance to join the Steam Camp! Unlock a World of Discovery, Tuesday, August 4. Spaces are limited and must be registered! Free for ages 6-12, register at: markmissen@gmail.com.
The TD Summer Reading Program at the Library has a huge number of children registered this summer. There are around 50 children winning prizes each week for reading. The Severn Library wants to thank the businesses who have so generously sponsored the program. More on this in the next column!
The Severn Library is excited to welcome Chris Paul Rainbows on Wednesday, August 5 at 2 p.m. This popular entertainer will be available to sign books and talk about his recent release “Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants”. It’s a fun read. This program is free and open to everyone.
Also part of the Library events this summer are Metis Dancers and Musicians who will teach us traditional Metis fiddling and dancing, on August 19 at 2 p.m. Rounding out the summer on August 26, our local fire, EMT and police will be there to show you what they do! These programs are also free and open to everyone.
August is when the music starts at the Coldwater Heritage Mill, 1 Mill Street. Enjoy free music on Fridays at the Mill, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Here’s the schedule:
August 7 – Lil’ chill
August 14 – D.A.M. Straight
August 21 – Jacob Pearce
August 28 – Upbeat Groove
On August 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., A Day of Knights brings medieval combat to the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum, 1474 Woodrow Road. Knights and reenactors from the Duelling Weapons Academy of Renaissance Fencing will battle it out up close, in full period costume.
Live combat demonstrations are at noon and 2 p.m. You will see period costumes and a tented encampment and experience a close look at historic weaponry and medieval life. Admission is by donation, with a suggested $10 per person. Children under 12 are free.
Also on August 15, the Magical World of Faeries returns to Coldwater, running from 4 to 9 p.m. in the business section. There will be:
- Professional fairy performers
- Giant bubble spectacle
- Hula hoop fairy & lessons
- Watercolor painting classes
- “Fill Your Fairy Jar” scavenger hunt
- Delicious food & magical beverages
- Vendor marketplace
- Fairy Costume Contest
- Make your own fairy wings and wand
- The fairy garden and the fairy godmother
- Fairy Dust Sprinkling
The Coldwater Steampunk Festival is back again! This year, the festival will be on August 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a day of steampunk style, oddities, and curiosities in the village. Dust off your goggles and gears and join us on Main Street. For more information closer to the event, please visit their Facebook page.
Mark your Calendar! September 25 to 27 is Coldwater’s Fall Fair. Or just remember the last Saturday of September. It will certainly be as big and beautiful as always. The theme is “Country Life”. The books are out, and Midway passes will be on sale soon, so be sure to get your tickets soon. For more information, contact https://coldwaterfallfair.com/.
The Severn Library has some exciting authors coming to the Library this Fall. Brianna North is the author of several novels including the social-media-themed thriller “A Familiar Betrayal” and the emotional contemporary tale “Where the Sun Won’t Shine”. She will be at the Library on September 19 at 1 p.m.
Waubgeshig Rice, author of the astonishing “Moon of the Crusted Snow” and “Moon of the Turning Leaves” will be in the Library on October 10 at 1 p.m.
Dawn E. Neil, author of “Rescued: A Young Mother’s Memoir of Survival on Newfoundland’s Forgotten Coast” will be at the Library on October 24 at 1 p.m. Her true story is one of courage and new beginnings.
These events are free and open to everyone.
Have a wonderful rest of the summer and I will be back in October with more wonderful Coldwater updates!
