Adoptable dogs are headed downtown

Gooood morning, Kingston! The dogs are coming, the ink is permanent, and your cheese habit is about to get worse. We rounded up everything loud, weird, and wildly worth your time. Let’s jump in!

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The Mid-Week Skimm

Mark Gerretsen wins Kingston in a landslide
Liberal incumbent Mark Gerretsen secured 63.5 percent of the vote in Kingston and the Islands, handily defeating Conservative Bryan Paterson by a 2-to-1 margin. It marks Gerretsen’s biggest federal win yet and his fourth straight term as MP. (The Whig)

United Way KFL&A names 2025 Campaign Chair
Leanne O'Mara, a long-time United Way volunteer, has been appointed Chair of the 2025 Campaign. She’ll lead the effort alongside the Campaign Cabinet to support programs across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. (United Way KFL&A)

30 thousand dollars raised for Extend-A-Family’s greenhouse expansion
The Kingston Community Climate Action Fund hit its $30,000 goal to support Extend-A-Family Kingston’s GrowAbility Hydroponic Greenhouse Project. The funding will scale up operations to produce over 10,000 heads of local, sustainable produce annually — using 90% less water and providing inclusive skill-building opportunities. (City of Kingston)

Note: News notes with three asterisks (***) means that there is a pay wall to read the article.

Local Biz

Nancy has a gouda (pun intended) recommendation for you: Flight Cheese Shop!

Tucked inside Homecraft Brew & Wine, Flight Cheese Shop is serving up a seriously crave-worthy selection of unique cheeses, curated trays, top-tier condiments, and friendly, expert advice. Nancy’s tip? Follow them on Instagram for drool-worthy features and new arrivals.

Check out their menu here.

Got a favourite spot you think deserves a shoutout in our ‘Local Biz’ section? Send us your rec — we love a good tip-off.

Mother’s Day, but make it local

Because moms and mom figures deserve more than a card from the gas station:

• M(other)’s Day Market at Modern Fuel | Sunday, May 4 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Modern Fuel | Free | Shop local artists and celebrate all kinds of caregivers.

• Pecorino Wine Mother’s Day Celebration | Saturday, May 10 | 12:00 p.m. | $150 | Sip Italian wines with the Countess’s own son.

• Mother’s Day Tea at the Tett | Sunday, May 11 | 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | $35 | Mocktails, live music, and sweet treats.

• Vintage Afternoon Tea in Bloom | Sunday, May 11 | 1:30–3:30 p.m. | $50 | Fascinators, poetry, and a springtime stroll.

Events

This week

Whozagooddog Downtown Pup Visit | Wednesday, April 30 | 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Kingston Visitor Info Centre (209 Ontario St.) | Free | Get your dose of downtown dog joy—snuggle some sweet, adoptable pups and maybe meet your new best friend.

HomeGrown Live Music Festival | Saturday, May 3 | 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Various downtown Kingston venues | $10 wristband (cash only) | 140+ performances, 16 stages, one wristband—Kingston’s biggest day of live local music, with all proceeds supporting Joe’s Music Mill.

Tattoos for Tails 2025 | Saturday, May 3 | 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Ink Well Tattoos | $95 per tattoo | Flash tattoos, merch, and all the good feels—support Kingston Animal Rescue while getting inked by local artists.

Growing Together: Putting Down Roots | Saturday, May 3 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre | Free | Pick up free white pine seedlings, learn planting tips, and help grow Kingston’s green future—one root at a time.

See & Learn: Mighty Machines + Rural Animals | Sunday, May 4 | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Odessa Fairgrounds | Free | Climb, explore, and discover emergency vehicles, farm equipment, animals, and more at this hands-on family day.

Announced

Monster Spectacular Kingston | Sunday, May 25 | Doors & Pit Party 1:00 p.m., Show 2:00 p.m. | Slush Puppie Place | Tickets + Pit Pass | Get loud with four monster trucks (including world champ Overkill Evolution), freestyle BMX, and yes—lawnmower races. Don’t miss the Pit Party to meet the drivers up close.

10th Annual Fall GNO | Friday, November 7 | 6:00–9:00 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston | $10 | Sample, shop, and support Kingston Interval House with 50+ vendors, swag bags, door prizes, and serious local vibes.

Hosting an event? Submit it to our calendar here.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

Hot Links 🔥 

• Memorial Market heads outdoors this Sunday—plus, an extra hour to shop.

• Sugar & Stone Aesthetics is bringing Hot Girl Summer energy = waxing bundles are live.

• Harper’s Burger Bar is hiring an Assistant Manager. Love burgers? This might be your shot.

• Bread & Butter Bakery is hiring a new Head Baker—bring your A-game (and your apron).

• Broom Brew is back at Fine Balance Brewing in support of Spring Reverb Festival.

• SENS Café drops the Matchagatto — matcha, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream in one cup.

• The Elm Café is slinging fresh Pilot beans weekly—whole or ground, your brew just got an upgrade.

• Brynn’s Fresh Market is serving up a buy one 12" pizza, get a personal one free until May 7.

Weather

Wednesday
High 8°C 🌡️ Low 2°C | ☀️ 

Thursday
High 14°C 🌡️ Low 5°C | 🌧️ 

🌡️ See today’s weather | 🚗 Live traffic  | ⛽ Local gas prices

Signing Off

That’s a wrap! Book a table, snag a wristband, or stock up on cheese — and if you find yourself with a taco in one hand and a HomeGrown wristband on the other, you’re doing it right.

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