South Shore Fest Delivers Nature, Music, and Community Fun!

On June 7, South Shore Fest made its grand debut at Mariners Park Museum in Milford, bringing together families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers for a day of celebration, education, and exploration. Watch event recap on our YouTube channel here.

The South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) kicked off the day with guided nature walks across four scenic routes in the South Shore’s conserved and public lands.

Brand-new educational greeting cards were launched at the Fest, giving attendees a chance to support conservation efforts while sharing meaningful messages. Available for $5 each or 5 for $20, these unique cards help fund SSJI’s vital mission to protect and preserve Prince Edward County’s South Shore. Couldn’t grab yours at the fest? No problem! They’re available online at SSJI.CA or at Rossmore Pharmacy.

SSJI was also thrilled to debut a new sweatshirt featuring a stunning depiction of the historic Point Traverse Lighthouse, illustrated by renowned Ottawa artist Andrew King. Not only does this exclusive design celebrate Prince Edward County’s rich history, but it also supports local craftsmanship! Made in Ontario and printed locally in Picton by Northern Branding Studio, this sweatshirt blends style with community pride. Pre-orders are now open—take a look here and get yours before they’re gone!

Beyond the guided walks led by South Shore Footpath Project volunteers, the festival atmosphere kept everyone engaged with exciting activities and entertainment from local duos Kyra & Tully and Reggie with Mario Panacci & Ruth Dwight, Wild Thing education programming, and the evening with celestial exploration.

Festival-goers explored Museum exhibits featuring the Avro Arrow. Plus, visitors connected with local environmental organizations, learning about conservation and history, including 200 years of commercial fishing stories.

South Shore Fest delivered an unforgettable experience, uniting nature, community, and sustainability in a way that will leave a lasting impact.

Big thanks go out to all volunteers, South Shore Footpath Project team, Mariners Park Museum, Nature Conservancy Canada, Canadian Wildlife Services, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Quinte Conservation, Quinte Field Naturalists, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, Kingston Field Naturalists, Royal Astronomy Association Canada - Belleville Branch, and The County Garden Club.

As a volunteer-run, non-profit charity, SSJI is dedicated to preserving and restoring the South Shore lands and waters for biodiversity and community to thrive.

Want to stay connected? Check out upcoming events at SSJI.CA!

See you at the next adventure!

Read a feature article in countylive.ca here.