Sport events in Kingston don’t slow down as the weather gets colder! From hockey and ice dancing to cross country championships, you’ll find Kingston being an active sport city year-round. Below are the top 5 sport events to add to your winter itinerary.
After previously hosting the U SPORTS cross country championships in 2009 and 2018, U SPORTS will return to Kingston for the 2019 championships. Hosted by Queen’s University, the course consists of rolling hills, scenic views of the St. Lawrence River, and loops around historic Fort Henry. Spectators are free to attend this championship that dates back to 1963.
Now in their 12th season, Relm Sports offers a variety of innovative and competitive tournaments for all ages. Each year, they host nearly 400 teams travelling from Canada, USA, Europe, Russia and Asia. This High School Hockey Showcase tournament focuses on the student athlete’s skills development and each team is guaranteed at least three games.
The good ol’hockey game is the best game you can name! This annual House League Christmas Tournament is held in partnership with The Church Athletic League and the Fort Henry Heights Minor Hockey Association. Over four days, there will be up to 12 teams in five divisions. The best part: there’s no admission charge for spectators!
Get into the winter spirit and cheer on our local hockey team, the Kingston Frontenacs! Visiting Kingston to watch your home team play? Stay at a Diamond Hotel Property to redeem an exclusive package including accommodations, four tickets to a Kingston Frontenacs game, a Kingston Frontenacs toque, Leon’s Centre concession vouchers and rates. View packages here.
5. Rock the Rink Tour – featuring Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue
November 3, 2019 Leon’s Centre
Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir, Patrick Chan, Kaetlyn Osmond, and Elvis Stojko finally return to Kingston! Last year, the iconic skaters wowed the Leon’s Centre crowd with their Thank You Canada Tour. This year, the Canadian greats will be bringing Rock the Rink to Kingston on Sunday, November 3rd, 2019. This tour will be your last chance to see Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir perform together as the iconic pair announced their retirement from the sport in September.
Kingston’s Aaliyah Edwards’ speedy development as a basketball player has given the 17-year-old a chance to play for her country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Edwards is a six-foot-three forward and the youngest player on the current senior women’s Team Canada. She just finished playing in the AmeriCup basketball tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico featuring the top 10 teams in North, Central and South America.
Edwards is a grade 12 student Crestwood Preparatory College in North York but hasn’t attended classes yet this school year due to her basketball schedule. Last season she led her team to an undefeated season and the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association championship. She played for the Frontenac Falcons (FSS) and Kingston Impact before joining Crestwood.
Edwards played in all four round-robin tournament games at the AmeriCup as well as the semi-final game against Brazil, all Canada wins, and was selected Team Canada’s top performer in the 67-46 gold medal game loss to the United States on September 29.
Aaliyah Edwards of Kingston in action for Team Canada against Puerto Rico at the AmeriCup Basketball Tournament in San Juan Puerto Rico on Tuesday September 24, 2019 FIBA Photo
In the U.S. game Edwards scored nine points including a three-point basket in 18:41 of playing time, had three rebounds and four steals.
She’s the first Kingston women’s basketball player on Canada’s senior team since Andrea Blackwell, who was a member from 1979 to 1996. Blackwell competed for Canada in the 1984 and 1996 Olympics and played in four world championships.
She’s the only high school-aged player on the 12-member Team Canada joining teammates who play in the WNBA, NCAA and on European professional club teams.
She has been on the Basketball Canada’s radar for some time playing for the U16 and U17 teams in three international tournaments over the past two summers.
In the six games in Puerto Rico Edwards scored 36 points including two three-point baskets and went 10 for 12 from the free throw line. She also brought down 15 rebounds and had seven steals.
“I had a blast,” Edwards said via email as she prepared to board a flight home on September 30. “My coaches and teammates were amazing. The support received from my former teammates and coaches at FSS, from my coach and teachers at Crestwood and from folks all across the country made a tremendous difference. I love competing for my country and hope to do so again in the next rounds of qualifying.”
Aaliyah Edwards of Kingston in action for Team Canada against The Dominican Republic at the AmeriCup Basketball Tournament in San Juan Puerto Rico on Thursday September 26, 2019 FIBA Photo
The next step of the Olympic qualifying process Canada is hosting a tournament in Edmonton coming up in November.
Edwards has to wait to receive an invitation to that tournament and said she doesn’t want to get ahead of herself thinking of playing in the Olympics.
“Honestly my focus is just being here in this moment but of course an opportunity to represent Canada at the highest level of competition such as the Olympics would be incredible,” she said. “One step at a time though.”
If Team Canada finishes in the top four in Edmonton they’ll qualify for one of the four global FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments 2020, taking place in February. Canada, with a top-three finish out of the four Americas teams will qualify them for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Currently, Canada is ranked fifth in the world and in the Americas only the United States is ranked higher than Canada.
As well last February, Edwards was invited to participate in the National Basketball Association sponsored Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Charlotte, N.C. She was one of two Canadians and 63 girls and boys her age invited to the camp and selected the most valuable player in the girls division.
Aaliyah Edwards of Kingston in action for Team Canada against Cuba at the AmeriCup Basketball Tournament in San Juan Puerto Rico on Monday September 23, 2019 FIBA Photo
Earlier this summer she attended Team Canada’s senior women’s training camp in Edmonton and made the team to travel in June to play in a five game exhibition tour to Belgium and England.
In July she competed with the women’s’ U19 team at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup held in Thailand before having a few weeks to train at home in Kingston before heading back to Edmonton to try out again for the team that went to Puerto Rico.
“Every time I step on the court whether practice or game day is all about expanding my knowledge,” she said. “There is always something to learn and I’m all about that. Student of the game for life.”
“I’ve actually received a lot of love from my past teammates and coaches in Kingston since it was announced that I was selected for the team,” Edwards said. “I’m locked into the task at hand but really appreciate the love coming from my hometown.”
Aaliyah Edwards of Kingston in cheers on the Team Canada bench against the Dominican Republic at the AmeriCup Basketball Tournament in San Juan Puerto Rico on Thursday September 26, 2019 FIBA Photo
It’s a big month for live music in Kingston this November, as Arkells, City and Colour, Matt Mays, and Measha Brueggergosman all make their return. But that’s just the tip of what’s in store. Here are 13 shows that should be must-sees.
This Toronto band has been earning a loyal following and critical acclaim for several years now with their blend of indie rock, classic pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Think plenty of anthems and pop hooks interspersed with tight guitar licks and driving beats. This summer, their single “Do No Wrong” hit number one on the CBC national chart, and now they’re finishing a record while touring Canada this fall.
For over 20 years, Nova Scotia’s Matt Mays has been playing loud, sweaty rock shows or quieter, semi-acoustic theatre gigs. On this tour, though, called “Howl at the Night”, he’s bringing both together for the first time. As he says, the shows are “a journey through songs, old and new, an evening that will start off woody and mellow and finish electric and stormy.”
Nostalgia junkies, listen up: this Toronto 10-piece is not your typical barroom cover band. Since 2011, their reputation has been built on roof-busting live shows all over Canada and the U.S. that draw from a catalogue of over 600 classic pop and rock tunes. That means you could hear everything from Fleetwood Mac to Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston to Fatboy Slim, Queen to Arcade Fire.
Australia’s Daniel Champagne picked up an acoustic guitar at age five and hasn’t looked back, today selling out shows all over the world. Now based in Nashville, his music is still anchored in blues, folk and other roots traditions. As the Calgary Herald put it recently, “the word prodigy seems to entirely fall short of this soft-spoken young man’s skills, he coaxes sounds and melodies out of his instrument that literally drop jaws.”
Admission $20
Source: Canadian Film Centre (Flickr Creative Commons)
One of Canada’s most renowned sopranos, Brueggergosman has been performing as an opera singer and concert artist for over 20 years. Her musical range encompasses everything from gospel hymns and jazz standards to classical music, but at The Isabel expect to hear soulful renditions of songs from the black women who have inspired her as well as spirituals from her recent album “Songs of Freedom”.
Though they didn’t expect it, Kingston’s Lotus Shaker has become one of the busiest rock bands in the city. Anchored by powerhouse singer Britttany Blanche, the group was started in 2010 by Blanche and her fiancé, guitarist Dan Chisolm. It now includes bassist Tim Archibald and drummer Jeff Salmon. Expect, as they put it, “a variety of gut wrenching, soul searching, rough-around-the-edges kind of music.”
Since bursting onto the Canadian rock scene in 2006, Hamilton’s Arkells have gone on to become one of the most in-demand live bands in the country. They’re a radio mainstay too, as evidenced by their 2017 single “Knocking at the Door”, which spent 14 weeks at number one on the Canadian Alternative chart. Arena shows are common for Arkells now, so they’ll definitely manifest a ton of energy and fist pumps in Kingston.
Almost 2,000 shows after launching Hollerado, the Ottawa fourpiece is calling it quits. They’ve taken their fun-loving style of indie pop-rock all over the world for the past 12 years, but this will be the band’s final tour. It’s sad news for fans, but as frontman Menno Versteeg told the Ottawa Citizen recently: “The records are still there, come to these shows and have a good time, and then get on with your life.”
It’s been 20 years since Johnny Reid arrived on the country music scene, and in that time the Scottish-born, Canadian-bred artist has made 10 studio albums and sold over 11 million of them worldwide. Now he has released a new Christmas EP, which this tour is supporting. No doubt his classic rock and blue-collar roots will shine bright at this holiday show in Kingston.
Admission $39.50 – $89.50
Source: Creative Mornings Vancouver (Flickr Creative Commons)
Dan Mangan released his fifth full-length album last year, “More or Less”, and while it tackles a different subject matter than what’s come before — namely, birth and rebirth — it’s still rooted in the pop-inflected folk-rock that’s led to two Juno wins and two Polaris nominations for the Vancouver-based artist. The Grand’s rich acoustics should provide a good home for Mangan’s warm musicianship.
City and Colour, aka Dallas Green, is still going strong and selling out venues seven albums and 14 years after branching out from post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The sound on every album is different, ranging from driving alt-rock to quiet acoustic folk, but his arresting vocals and honest, heartfelt lyrics remain constant.
This intimate show at Sydenham Street United Church brings two acclaimed Canadian indie folk artists together. The Franklin Electric is a Montreal collective rooted in anthems of personal moments. They were nominated for a 2018 Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year. Tim Baker (pictured) is the frontman of the much-acclaimed Newfoundland group Hey Rosetta! He released his debut solo album in April, and it was quickly named to the Polaris Prize long list.
BANNERS is the indie rock brainchild of Liverpool, England’s Michael Nelson. Since 2015, he, along with his backing band, have been delivering singles noted for soaring vocals, rich piano chords, sweeping beats, and orchestral guitars. BANNERS’ breakout single “Start a Riot” generated over 59 million Spotify streams, while two others have eclipsed 22 million streams. In other words, see this band up close in a small venue like The Mansion while you still can.
Do you feel that in the air? December is bringing some serious magic to Kingston. Don’t let the cold weather get you down, in fact, get out and get caught up in the festive spirit. Holiday festivals, performances, outdoor activities in the snow and holiday parties all culminate in the K-Town Countdown’s grand finale to ring in the New Year.
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!
Click each image for more event information. 1. Fat Goose Craft Fair — December 1, 2019
2. DIY Sustainable Holiday Decorating — December 1, 2019
3. Small Works Kingston Exhibition — December 1–7, 2019
Things are starting to get a little festive here in Kingston. Welcome the winter season with a host of Kingston events in November from hockey games, craft sales and holiday markets, and watch two music superstars take to the stage at Leon’s Centre.
Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!
Click each image for even more event details. 1. Pumpkin Parade — November 1, 2019
2. Dia de los Muertos Kingston Festival — November 1–3, 2019
3. Landscape: Adventures in Expressive Acrylic Painting Workshop — November 2, 2019
4. Judgement of Kingston — November 2, 2019
5. Highway of Heroes Hockey Game — November 2, 2019
6. Timeless Memories Gift Show — November 2, 2019, from 9am–4pm
7. CFB Kingston Fall Craft Sale — November 2–3, 2019
8. Rock the Rink — November 3, 2019
9. Rembrandt Exhibition — on all month long
10. Creatures of the Night Hike — November 9, 2019
11. Remembrance Day Concert — November 11, 2019
12. Meet the Maker: Wine & Dinner Series — November 15, 2019
13. Nighttime Santa Parade 2019 — November 16, 2019
14. Arkells Live — November 16, 2019
15. All Things Christmas Sale — November 16–17, 2019
16. Tone Deaf Festival — November 16–24, 2019
17. Ian Walsh Photography Contest: Made in Kingston — Submissions accepted until December 31, 2019
18. Paw Patrol Live — November 19–20, 2019
19. YGK Holiday Artisan Market — November 23–24, 2019
20. Kingston Frontenacs Games — Various Days
21. City and Colour Live — November 26, 2019
22. Small Works Kingston Exhibition — November 26–December 7, 2019
Kingston Live is a monthly podcast that offers up behind-the-scenes insight into the Kingston music scene. If you’re looking to learn more about the city’s emerging artists and where to see them play live, you’ll find it here! If you’re a resident music lover or visitor looking for the inside scoop on Kingston’s local music scene, it’s a perfect fit for you, too.
Riley and Johnny get woke (as the kids say these days) talking politics with Tim Forbes and Jason Erb of Infotourist. Then they chat music production with Aaron Holmberg of Full Frequency Productions and Zane Whitfield of North of Princess Studio.
The podcast kicks off with Tim and Jason discussing their new concept album, “The Election” (Dropping October 19 with a show at The Mansion) and the thoughts and concepts behind their music. They touch on Canadian and American politics, share which band member canvassed for Bernie Sanders and why a decade went by between album drops. “Recently, we were talking about political troubles and thought we would dust off and resurrect the old Infotourist cadaver,” says Jason. They also talk about Kingston’s music scene and how it’s changed over the past ten years. “It’s like a big family,” says Jason. Their advice for the upcoming election: “When you go into that voting booth, your only job is making sure the biggest jerk doesn’t win.”
Next up, Aaron and Zane — who have a combined experience of working with bands like The Tragically Hip, The Trews and The Glorious Sons to name a few — talk about how they got their start in music production and how the industry has evolved with the innovation of technology. “I spent the first five years in the studio trying to learn the rules of recording and spent the last five years breaking them,” says Zane. They share the importance of gear and which equipment to prioritize purchasing if you’re just getting started. They really talk shop, so if you’re looking for wisdom and insight on studio gear, listen closely to this part of the podcast! They also give a lot of valuable advice for artists recording in-studio: hot tips, be prepared and environment is key.
Look out for new podcasts every month to stay up to date on the Kingston music scene! The Kingston Live podcast is syndicated to all major podcast platforms. Find them wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to subscribe: Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn and Stitcher. They also air on Wolfe Island Radio on Tuesday and Thursdays! You can also follow them on Instagram.
Fill your home with the smell of Kingston with a coconut oil and organic cotton wick Hollow Tree candle from The Jungle. These unique scents are poured into unglazed ceramic pots which can later be repurposed into a home for a plant — The Jungle is known for them, so be sure to head back and pick up a new special friend.
Explore a world of (international) flavour at Cooke’s Fine Foods and find some deliciously unique snacks. Are you in the mood for artisanal maple whiskey cheddar, chocolates crafted to pair with your favourite wine, or a big bag of your favourite crisps from England? The good news is, you don’t have to choose — Cooke’s has it all. The best part? If they don’t have it, they’ll get it for you.
Embrace sweater weather with an exclusive Kingston-branded hoodie or cozy toque from the ultra-hip Whit. Keep your eyes peeled for one of their pop-up shops across the city or come by and see which Kingston maker they’re hosting in their space.
Pick up a face mask or two from Cher-Mère Day Spa for your own at-home spa day. Just add water to activate these super creamy, vitamin-rich powder masks made with natural ingredients like moringa, jojoba and clay. Apply and let the world melt away as they work their magic.
Grab a copy of a new release or a book by a local author from Novel Idea. This independent bookstore prides themselves on keeping their business local and has been putting great books in the hands of Kingstonians since 1988.
Local recommendation: “The Stone Frigate” by Kate Armstrong recounts her experience as the first female cadet admitted to Kingston’s Royal Military College.
General Brock’s Commissary replicates the Upper Canada food and supply stores of yesteryear and offers a taste of Kingston’s history. Come here for Seed to Sausage cured meats, award-winning cheese from Empire Cheese, and a range of preserves and other delights from local Kingston and surrounding area producers.
Build your very own charcuterie board with local maker Nick Allinson in workshops happening all winter long at the Tett Centre.
The big-ticket shows this month include Dallas Smith and Dean Brody at Leon’s Centre, and Bruce Cockburn at The Grand. But if you want something a bit more intimate, you’ve got lots of options, from Good Lovelies at The Spire to Old Man Luedecke at The Mansion.
Smith and Brody are two of the biggest names in Canadian country music right now, and this fall they’re touring the country together for the first time. It’s been a couple of years since either has stopped in Kingston, so this two-hour collaborative show should be close to a sellout. Smith’s resume includes an album with four consecutive number one singles — the only Canadian country artist to do so — while Brody (pictured) holds the title for number one selling Canadian digital track of all time (“Bring Down the House”). They’ll be joined by Chad Brownlee, Mackenzie Porter, and The Reklaws.
This semi-regular Kingston dance party will feature three DJs this time around: Natividaddy, who is all about pop, R&B, and Latinx vibes; Deena, who spins soul and hip-hop; and Kilombo, who veers towards house, trap, and world music. Proceeds from each of SOUTH NODE’s events go to organizations fighting for autonomy and social justice. In this case, they’ll go to the LGBTQ folks in Hamilton who were recently charged after countering a protest at the city’s Pride festival.
Ten years and four studio albums after starting Good Lovelies, Kerri Ough, Sue Passmore, and Caroline Brooks are still dropping jaws with the power of their intertwined voices. Country folk has always been at their core, but they dabble in pop, roots, jazz, and hip-hop, too. Want to sing with the trio? Sign up for the choral workshop with them on the afternoon of October 5th. It’s free with the purchase of a ticket, and you’ll get to perform three pieces during the evening concert. For more info and to register, email deire@queensu.ca.
French-Canadian pianist and composer Alain Lefèvre is one of this country’s very best, having played in over 40 countries in some of the world’s top venues, including Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. He’s an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been called a “smashing performer” (Washington Post) and a “pianist who breaks the mold” (International Piano). In Kingston, he’ll play his own works as well masterworks by César Franck, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, and Sergei Rachmaninov.
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter and banjo player Chris “Old Man” Luedecke is all about narrative-driven folk songs that mix in bluegrass and pop hooks. It’s a mix that’s served him well over the past sixteen years, generating eight albums and two Junos for traditional folk album of the year. His latest album, “Easy Money”, his first since 2015, has influences from calypso, country, and of course folk. As always, the playfulness and warmth shine through in big doses.
Toronto fourpiece Mauve Grove (pictured) calls their sound “avant-funk”, which translates to a smooth party mix of funk and hip-hop, with a few jazz elements thrown in. It’s been getting people on the dance floor all over Ontario since 2016, and maybe it will in the tiny Musiikki, too. The opener, Kingston six-piece Kiss the Fish, should help. They won Queen’s famous Clark Hall Battle of the Bands last year with their catchy blend of old-school blues, classic rock, and alternative.
Tony “Wild T” Springer has been playing Jimi Hendrix songs for over 30 years all over North America and Europe. He’s also played with David Bowie, who called him “an absolute delight to work with”, and has shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Grand Funk Railroad, and others. Jeff Healey once called Tony his “messiah”. No matter what club or festival Wild T and his band plays, they’re known for consistently lighting the roof on fire with Hendrix’s music and their own original songs.
The name of this Toronto punk quartet stands for “Pathetic Use of Potential,” but the opposite seems to be true. They’ve released three albums since 2013, all of which have been nominated for a Polaris Prize, and they continue to get critical acclaim from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and elsewhere. The band’s influences include Built to Spill, Weezer, Thrush Hermit, The Weakerthans, and Outkast, but their driving pop-punk and indie sound is all their own.
This will be the first of two shows at The Merchant this weekend for Vancouver’s Daniel Wesley. Think reggae-tinged beach music here not far from a Jack Johnson. Wesley has made nine albums to date, his third, “Sing and Dance,” likely the most recognized largely for the single “Ooh Ohh.” These shows should lend a laidback vibe to the cavernous Merchant and get you dreaming of sun and sand.
Formed in the mid-80s in Kingston, The Pariahs took their brand of punk and hard rock to Toronto in 1990, becoming a staple there for the next decade. Whether it’s been a grungy dive or an arena gig alongside the Ramones or The Tragically Hip, their shows are always tight, loud, and beer-soaked. Years ago, frontman Mike Farrell said that the band is “all about the rock ‘n’ roll, it’s always been about that — that and friendship. And mayhem.” Though the original band members are all well into middle age now, word has it they still bring plenty of that mayhem.
The output of singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn over the past 40 years is truly staggering: more than 300 songs, 33 albums, 1 million albums sold in Canada. He’s also won 12 Junos, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. But it’s the way Cockburn has always connected with audiences that really makes him a legend. And he’s done that by embracing a variety of styles, from folk to jazz, to worldbeat, and not being afraid of singing about the things that matter to him — human rights, the environment, romance, and spirituality. No wonder they call him “Saint”.
It was only about five years ago that singer-songwriter Jessica Mitchell turned to country music, but it’s been a great fit. She’s been called country’s Adele, and like the English star, she has a strong, genre-bending voice that lends itself well to lyrics about pain and loss. Mitchell honed her sound in Nashville and Toronto over the past several years and went on to open for artists like Ron Sexsmith, Terri Clark, and Bonnie Raitt. Last year, she released her first album, “Heart of Glass”, a mature, powerful debut showcasing rich storytelling chops.
Mike Allard grew up like most boys in Eastern Ontario during the 1960’s.
He liked playing sports but his favourite activity then, as it is now, is fishing.
Allard, lives in Cardinal, just east of Brockville, but feels at home when he’s fishing around the Kingston area, from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River to the hundreds of smaller lakes north of Kingston.
The 60-year-old sales manager for a grain handling equipment company has been a member of many fishing clubs including the Kingston bass fishing club, Avid Anglers and Limestone Bass clubs.
In the recent 1,000 Islands Open held on Lake Ontario with the official weigh-ins taking place at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Allard brought in the largest fish on the first day of competition.
“That was one of my best moments because 7.44 pounds smallmouth (bass) was one of the biggest smallmouth I have ever caught,” said Allard in an interview.
It was the largest smallmouth bass that the Renegade Bass Tournament had in 25 years, Allard said.
The married father of five adult children started angling over 50 years ago using bamboo poles to fish near his Cardinal home. Allard said he would jump on his bicycle and head to the side of the river to fish.
“I’d take off in the morning and me with my rod and little tackle box and mom would tell me to be home for supper.”
And on good days he would bring home supper.
To this day Allard still likes to eat fish, like other tournament anglers he also believes in catch and release to sustain the stock of fish in area lakes and rivers.
As well sometimes he’ll clean the fish and give them to his wife Marilyn, a personal support worker, to give to her clients.
“They really enjoy it when I do that,” he said.
Allard fished with his five children but as they grew up they wanted to do other things and when his youngest daughter was 14 she didn’t want to get up at 4 a.m. to fish with him anymore so it was then he got into tournament fishing.
“When it got to the point the kids didn’t want to fish anymore that’s when I started fishing for me.”
Allard likes the competition form of the sport because growing up he played all kinds of competitive sports that boys and young men do but turned to fishing when his knees wouldn’t let him compete in land sports as much as he liked.
“The (fishing) tournaments maintained a little bit of that competitiveness and I always had that little bit in me.”
He likes the club level of competition where all the anglers get out on the water and try to win but on shore after its over are all great friends and colleagues who are happy to compare notes about their day and perhaps the one that got away.
He competes in about 20 tournaments a year, including three large tournaments where there are over 100 boats, but usually he competes in the smaller club tournaments.
Allard usually competes around the Eastern Ontario area and upstate New York but he’s been as far as Florida to attend fishing tournaments.
“Basically I just love to fish,” he said. “The competition is nice but if it wasn’t there I’d still be out fishing. It’s just really nice getting out on the water.”
Even though his own kids don’t have an interest in competitive fishing Allard said it’s important to bring new anglers out on the water and keep the sport alive into the future.
“Whenever we try to take out a new kid fishing,” he said. “To maintain our sport you have to get the kids out.”
The fall harvest is such a gorgeous time of year with its diverse colours spreading across the countryside, prompting Kingston’s culinary scene to feature an enticing array of vibrant mouth-watering offerings to match. With many of Kingston’s creative culinarians layering ingredients from local farms and producers into their menus, a wide selection of seasonal items guarantee a smorgasbord of tasty delights will be discovered throughout the city. Let’s dig in and see what some of Kingston’s finest restaurants and chefs have cooking this fall.
Kimchi Tofu Stew + Lamb Confit Poutine, Chez Piggy
Chez Piggy, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year, is well known for its love of world flavours, as well as their ardent support for fresh local produce, meats, and sustainably-sourced fish.
Kimchi tofu stew
Their fall/winter menu—one of two seasonal menu flips from head chef Richard Nicholas—promises late stone-fruits, squashes and cellared root vegetables (think carrots, onions and potatoes), expertly paired with a range of proteins. Expect earthier, smokey, sweet flavours and scents throughout the fall and winter.
Seasonal mainstays like their Kimchi Tofu Stew (fried tofu, shitake and kombucha dash, kimchi, bean sprouts, daikon-gochugaru, scallions and cilantro), or Levantine Lamb (kefta spiced lamb chops with harissa chickpeas, baby kale, sumac and mint yogurt, and pomegranate molasses) are prime examples of their fall delicacies.
New menu features for this season include a hearty lamb confit poutine with lamb demi, nabulsi, pomegranate seeds/molasses, with minted yogurt and coriander, plus a Muscovy duck leg confit with roast herbed celeriac wedges, spinach and chevre purée with red peppercorn duck demi-glace.
The Public House, is well-known amongst locals and visitors to Kingston for its Eastern Ontario comfort food. Their wide range of local craft beers—including a few brewed right in Kingston by Skeleton Park and Riverhead Brewery!—and imports from across the pond, paired with hearty gourmet pub fare are sure to warm your belly after a brisk autumn day in Kingston.
BBQ pork ribs, local corn and coleslaw.
The arrival of fall means savoury soups with root vegetables, spicy fried chicken and waffles with local honey, and delectable desserts made with freshly-harvested apples. Be sure to check out their latest menu addition, fork-tender barbecue pork ribs—locally sourced from Quinn’s Meats—in a sticky BBQ sauce, and served with home-cut fries, local corn on the cob and delicious coleslaw.
Le Chien Noir is the energetic, comfortable little French bistro located just steps from the historic Market Square. Popular for their mixture of French classics and irresistible farm-to-table comfort foods—made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients—their fall menu is sure to be irresistible. Keep your eyes out for weekly promotions, including Cocktail Hour, a main feature beginning this fall. New on the menu is the heavenly House Pumpkin Gnocchi with walnut cream, ‘Kelly’s’ roasted shiitake and oyster mushrooms, baby kale, radicchio with broiled gruyere and toasted hazelnuts.
AquaTerra is conveniently located downtown along Kingston’s waterfront and boasts a commanding view of the Confederation Basin Marina with its historical Shoal Tower. Known for their routine menu updates and Chef’s Test Kitchen Menu, AquaTerra is one of Kingston’s go-to destinations for sampling new culinary creations.
Ontario beef tenderloin
Fall’s arrival shines a spotlight on the freshest local seasonal ingredients, as well as the popular Meet the Maker Wine Dinner event on Friday, November 15 with Grange of Prince Edward Estates Winery. The new fall menu is sure to impress, with recent additions like a heart-warming Pot Roast featuring Otter Creek wagyu sous vide round cut, paired with Mill Creek peas, Honey Wagon potatoes, and local mushrooms from Wolfe Island. Plus, their Ontario beef tenderloin with braised vegetable melange, carrot purée, potato pave, cippolini and merlot demi-glace is a regular fall menu favourite.
Braised Short Rib Risotto, Union Kitchen + Cocktails
One of Kingston’s newest culinary destinations is Union Kitchen + Cocktails, where the talented team creates hand-crafted cocktails and gourmet meals from high quality local ingredients. Perfected just in time for the fall menu season is their braised short rib risotto: braised and shredded local short rib with cremini mushroom, Woolwich chevre, herb oil, and garnished with local micro sprouts and herbs.
If you’re feeling peckish, adventurous, and have your walking shoes handy, then consider taking a Kingston Food Tour. You’ll get a healthy dose of fresh air, history, and no shortage of seasonal eats at some of Kingston’s best eateries. Besides their signature Beer and Bites and Classic Kingston tours, be sure to check out their Wolfe Island: Farm to Table Dinner and Tour which is sure to tickle your taste buds in all the right ways.
Kingston Food Tours
Any time of year presents a great opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Kingston—But with a shared passion for fresh local ingredients, fall is certainly one of the best times to experience Kingston’s vibrant food scene. Book your stay today and come sample Kingston’s seasonal offerings this fall—just make sure your belt has a few extra notches when you arrive (wink, wink).
AquaTerra offers a complete, locally-sourced Thanksgiving feast for eight to ten people. Your gourmet dinner includes a whole roasted turkey from Thorpe Farms, mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, orange and cranberry compote, pear and pecan stuffing, buttered green beans, glazed heirloom carrots, rosemary Dijon gravy, ciabatta buns, and your choice of an apple crumble pie or classic pumpkin pie.
Order your Thanksgiving feast for $225 plus tax by Tuesday, Oct. 5. Pick-up is on Oct. 8 or 9 from 10 am to 2 pm. The dinner must be reheated at home: Instructions are included. Due to anticipated demand, menu substitutions are not provided.
Enjoy a three-course table d’hôte at Renaissance on Oct. 9 from 4 pm and Oct. 10 from noon. You have a choice of three starters, four mains (including a vegan option), and three desserts! A full bar service is available. Covid-19 protocols will be in place and tables will be distanced. Reserve your table as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 613-530-2550 or Paul.Fortier@foodandheritage.com
Your Renaissance dinner includes:
Starters
Roasted beet and chèvre salad with mixed greens a balsamic vinaigrette; or
Potage of roasted root vegetables with toasted cumin and cardamum
Mains
Roast turkey with buttery mashed potatoes, traditional dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and turnip casserole; or
Braised lamb shank with rich gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, and turnip casserole; or
Baked salmon napoleon with polenta, roasted red peppers and a dill-pea purée; or
Mixed mushroom étouffée à la Nouvelle Orléans (vegan)
Desserts
Apple-cranberry crumble with whipped cream; or
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream; or
English sherry trifle.
The cost for the dine-in meal is $33.95 per adult and $26.95 for children 16 years and under. A child’s meal (12 years and under) of chicken fingers, veggie sticks, and dipping sauces with choice of dessert and beverage is available for $19.95.
Prefer to dine at home? Renaissance offers two mains (roast turkey and lamb shank) and one dessert (apple-cranberry crumble) for takeaway. All meals are chill-packed in foil containers with clear instructions on re-heating and service.
Pan Chancho offers you a number of takeout options to make your Thanksgiving complete. Choose a complete holiday feast for one (or for six!): these perfectly portioned meals include roasted turkey breast with pear brandy glaze and dried fruit chutney; cranberry sauce; gravy; stuffing; green beans with tarragon and orange zest; garlic and herb mashed potatoes; buns; and a pumpkin pie. These meal packages are available Oct. 8, 9, and 10 only.
Your à la carte options include a variety of mains (including apricot and rosemary-glazed ham and vegetarian pot pie), appetizers, sides, and desserts (including vegan orange pecan fudge squares and pomegranate mousse charlotte).
Wharf & Feather offers a Turkey to Go meal for six, featuring roasted butternut and apple soup; sweet potato and pecan salad with sage dressing; apple cider-brined roast turkey breast; hazelnut, apricot, and brioche stuffing; herb and garlic roasted red-skinned potatoes; maple roasted root vegetables; pan gravy; traditional cranberry sauce; and pumpkin pie. Order your delicious Thanksgiving feast from Wharf & Feather.
Knifey Spooney offers a delicious vegan Thanksgiving dinner (with all of the carbs and none of the cholesterol!). Your meal starts with butternut squash soup, followed by stuffed seitan roast with mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted brussels sprouts with coconut yoghurt and pomegranate molasses, and pumpkin pie with coconut whipped cream. Order a meal for one ($42) or for four to six people ($160). Order by Oct. 8 and pick up Oct. 9, 10, or 11. Delivery is available for a fee. Order your vegan Thanksgiving feast from Knifey Spooney.
The Grocery Basket offers a traditional Thanksgiving spread featuring local ingredients. Your dinner for two includes herb-roasted turkey breast (from Hayter’s Turkey Farm), sage stuffing, sour cream and onion mashed potatoes, buttered beans with toasted almonds, maple-roasted beets, squash gratin, cranberry and cherry compote, buttermilk biscuits, and a spiced pumpkin pie. Other local suppliers include Harmony Organic Milk, Salt of the Earth Farms, Unity Farms, and Wilton Cheese Factory. Order your locally sourced Thanksgiving feast from The Grocery Basket by Oct. 8 at 3pm (or while quantities last). Pick up Oct. 10 between noon and 4pm.
Farm Boy offers complete turkey and ham meals for 6 to 8 (as well as a turkey dinner for two). Each kit comes with four sides. The turkey dinner also comes with gravy and cranberry ginger sauce and the ham dinner comes with honey mustard cream sauce. Order online or in store and pick up Oct. 8, 9, or 10.
Got your own family recipes to make, and all you need is the turkey? Here are some local options:
Order your Ontario-raised, steroid-and hormone-free turkey from Old Farm. Turkeys come in four size ranges, starting at 6.5 pounds and going up to 24 pounds! Turkeys arrive Thursday, Oct. 7. Order yours by calling 613-546-3276 or by email at oldfarmstore@gmail.com.
From kimchi to Bibimbap, Korean cuisine (Hansik) has gained international popularity for its fresh seasonal ingredients and innovative flavour combinations. Sound familiar? Kingston’s culinary scene is always exploding with new dishes and fresh produce, so it’s only fitting that we have amazing Korean options to explore. Whether you live off Hoeddeok and Naengmyeon or you’re just dipping your feet into this delicious culture, your tastebuds won’t regret it.
No, it’s not that catchy song you danced to in 2012, it’s the go-to spot in Kingston for delicious Korean dishes. The menu is made of exclusively Korean dishes, but it’s the quality of the dishes, lively k-pop filled atmosphere, and friendly service that keeps people coming back. Some of our favourites? The Bibimbap, Spicy Squid on a hot grill plate, Korean Fried Chicken, or the Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup!
Don’t let the small exterior fool you, this Sushi/Korean restaurant is a local favourite for its authentic and fresh dishes. People may know them for their sushi, but their hidden gem is their Korean dishes like Bibimbap (try it with the spicy sauce for an extra kick), Bulgogi, and Hwae-Dup-Bap (sashimi rice bowl).
Specializing in Korean and Japanese dishes, Hwa-Ki is a perfect spot if you’re looking for an upscale casual Asian dinner downtown. The delicious dishes mixed with the sleek, dark wooded atmosphere will transport you off of Princess Street straight to Asia (no passport needed). Try the Bulgogi Bibimbap, Japchae Bap, Debokki for two, or kimchi fried rice!
Steps away from Market Square lies one of Kingston’s Japanese-Korean hotspots, SushiYa Zen. This hidden gem may not be so hidden any longer thanks to the rave reviews it’s getting from their customers. Hwae Dup Bap, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, Pork bone soup; we can’t get enough!
Podonamu has built a huge fanbase, attracting students and locals alike for their tasty, hearty fare. It’s an intimate spot with a warm atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to share their legendary chicken and Ddukgochi, or try out some Jeon, Kimbab, Kimchi Jigae, or Bulgogi! Pro-tip: go after 8 pm for their combo deals, each dish on the late-night menu comes with one bottle of Sou or Makgulli, or 3 bottles of beer.
Your new must-visit grocery store, KAS has everything you need to whip up a Korean dish of your own. It’s a Korean foodie’s dream come true, with a variety of hot pot ingredients (frozen and fresh), dumplings, and so much more.
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