Ottawa ↔ Peterborough · Ontario's Highway 7

Take the slow road.

270 kilometres of small towns, Shield lakes, and chip trucks — the field guide to everything worth stopping for on Highway 7, kept fresh every week by people who actually drive it.

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Sharbot Lake, the midpoint of the corridor — July 2026

Coming up on the 7

Fri, Aug 28 – Sun, Sep 6 Murder for Two at the Marble Arts Centre Tweed & Company Theatre's two-hander murder-mystery musical — two performers, thirteen roles, one piano — runs Aug 28 to Sept 6 in the converted marble church on Bridgewater Road.

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Thu, Sep 3 – Sun, Sep 6 · Labour Day weekend Perth Fair A proper agricultural fair on Labour Day weekend at the Perth Fairgrounds — livestock, midway, and the whole classic-fair canon.

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Fri, Sep 4 · Fridays 6pm The Pipes Are Calling A piper or pipers at the cenotaph in Veterans Memorial Park, half an hour every Friday evening, honouring the local names on the stone. Runs through to the Friday of the Labour Day weekend.

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Fri, Sep 4 · 1–6pm Havelock Farmer & Artisan Market Friday market right on the south side of Highway 7 — local produce, meats, maple syrup, baking and artisan goods, with food vendors from 11am.

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Fri, Sep 4 · Doors 5:30pm, balls drop 6:45pm Friday Night Bingo Friday nights in the St James Major church hall on Hwy 38 — doors at half past five, first ball at a quarter to seven, and a canteen doing hamburgers. Run by Sharbot Lake Bingo and Community Fundraisers.

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Fri, Sep 4 – Sun, Sep 6 Tweed Stampede & Agriculture Expo Billed as Ontario's largest multi-day music and western event — rodeo, 10+ performances across multiple stages, and Stoco Lake as the backdrop, at Stoco Lake Lodge.

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Sat, Sep 5 · 8:30am–12:30pm Carleton Place Farmers' Market Saturday-morning market at Market Square behind the town hall — fresh produce, baked goods and handmade goods, rain or shine, with themed festival Saturdays through the season.

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Sat, Sep 5 · 12–7pm End of Summer BBQ The Royal Canadian Legion branch on Ottawa Street West runs a barbecue through the Saturday of the Labour Day weekend. The township calendar carries the hours and nothing more, which is usually a fair sign of how the afternoon goes.

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Sat, Sep 5 · Doors 7pm, show 8pm 24K Comedy at Gold Rush Brewing Award-winning comedian Casey Corbin headlines a 24K Comedy night at the brewery on Russel Street, hosted by Dom Paré. Limited seating and tickets in advance.

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Sat, Sep 5 – Sun, Sep 6 Marmora Fair The agricultural society's Labour Day weekend classic at the Victoria Street fairgrounds — demolition derby, horse draws, live music, and midway.

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Sat, Sep 5 · 8am–12pm Norwood Market Labour Day weekend edition of the Norwood Market at 42 Victoria St — local makers and farmers, coffee, baked goods and live music.

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Sat, Sep 5 · 11am–2pm Demo Day at O'Hara Mill Heritage demonstrations at the O'Hara Mill Homestead — pioneer skills and machinery in action at the restored 19th-century sawmill site.

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Full calendar →

From the road

What people say about places on the route, in their own words. Tell us about one →

I highly recommend Markus. He is a knowledgeable, honest, clear thinking mechanic with very fair pricing. The go-to in the area for maintenance, repair, and winter storage.

Jim Hayes · Aug 2026 · via Google Land of Lakes Motor Sports & Marina, Sharbot Lake →

They have the best poutine, pulled pork and some killer mini donuts for dessert. It's a father son operation and they are always busy. The father and son are very friendly and always make sure their customers are taken care of. Also, their portions are big.

Jaclyn M. · Aug 2026 Sugar Shack Mini Donuts, Havelock →