Ryan Reynolds in Kingston: The Mystery Solved!

Gooood morning everybody and happy Monday! We’ve come full circle from cryptic Instagram posts and memes to the big reveal. Curious? Keep reading to find out what (or who) made Kingston the talk of the town!

Today in YGK:

• Robotics team heads to Texas

• Easter fun in the city

• Get inspired art show + more events

Let’s dive in!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Remember this?

Ryan Reynolds and the great Kingston mystery
The memes, the blurry selfie, the green beer theories—turns out Kingston wasn't dreaming. 38 minutes in, Ryan Reynolds confirmed on the Canadian History podcast episode titled Ryan Reynolds (ha ha), that he was in Kingston in March! Locals went into detective mode after his cryptic Instagram post on St. Paddy’s Day, and now we’ve got the truth. His verdict? “You’d feel this... pulsating kind of joy and pride and love for the town.” Kingstonians, take a bow—you made an impression.

800+ attend Kingston Botanical Market for a blooming good cause
The Kingston Botanical Market drew over 800 plant lovers to support local vendors and the Kingston Humane Society—some folks even drove hours to get their hands on leafy treasures. Organizers say it was their best market yet, with fundraising totals for the Humane Society still to come. (Kingston Botanical Market)

Round of applause: Kingston’s robotics teams head to Texas this week for world championship
Kingston’s two robotics teams (and their 115-pound robot “Alex”) are off to Houston for the world championships, representing Canada against 600 top teams. The squad of 28 students from 13 local schools earned their spot after crushing it at provincials with wins in engineering and design. Third straight year, global stage, no big deal. (The Whig)***

Feed the future: help stock the Community Food Fund
The Community Food Fund is back for 2025, marking Pathways to Education's 15th year supporting Kingston-area youth and families. Local farmers and KCHC's Pathways program are seeking donations to provide fresh, healthy food to those in need. Your support can make a real difference in our community.​ (Kingstonist)

New Grant Helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Reach 700+ Local Youth
Big Brothers Big Sisters of KFL&A just celebrated a two hundred thousand dollar Ontario Trillium Foundation grant that launched a new inclusion-focused mentoring program. The two-year project has grown services by 60 percent, reaching over 700 local youth with small-group mentoring, skill-building, and support. (The Whig)

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

Business Feature

Lucky Rabbit, El Gringo Tacos, and Snack Shack are all rolling into Midland Yards — food truck heaven is here! Plus, get ready for a Chinese Food Truck coming soon to Kingston in April 2025.

Mindful Mondays at Dianne's, Atomica & Harper’s Burgers
Mondays just got better. Start your week off with 20 percent off all crafted non-alcoholic drinks at all three spots. From Mermaid Lemonade to Hibiscus Gimlet, it's the perfect way to enjoy flavour without the hangover.

Get your Easter on

Easter Fun with Amaranth Stoneware
The Easter Clay Hunt is on — hop over to their site and discover hidden eggs to unlock unique discount codes all week long. Curious?

Easter fun at Limestone Creamery
Celebrate Easter with eggnog, eggnog lattes, and Limestone Creamery’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast on April 19! The hunt starts at 10 a.m., followed by breakfast from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join the Downtown Kingston Easter Hunt
Explore local shops, solve clues, and find hidden surprises all while supporting local businesses! Visit at least 8 spots for a chance to win over $500 in prizes. It’s a fun, flexible way to celebrate spring with family and friends.Visit at least 8 spots for a chance to win over $500 in prizes.

Events

Featured

Get Inspired Art Show & Sale | Friday & Saturday, April 19–20 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | The Spire | Free | Discover stunning art from 13+ local artists—meet the creators, explore their work, and find your next masterpiece.

This week

Dave Barton Trio at RCHA Club | Today, Monday, April 14 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | RCHA Club above Dianne’s | Free entry | Jazz it up with guitar great Dave Barton—no cover, all groove, thanks to Local 518 and the Musicians Trust Fund.

Unsolved Mysteries Trivia Night | Tuesday, April 15 | 7:00 p.m. | The Caesar Company | Cold cases, weird facts, and bragging rights—put your mystery skills to the test and win prizes if you crack the clues.

Book Launch at Novel Idea | Tuesday, April 15 | 7:00 p.m. | 156 Princess St. | Free | Celebrate new works from Michael e. Casteels and Dag T. Straumsvåg, with guest poet Ashley-Elizabeth Best. A night of prose poetry, fresh releases, and Kingston lit community vibes.

Announced

Sunset Dinner Cruise: Thursday Night Series | Thursdays in May | 6:30 p.m. | Island Star | Dinner, drinks, and themed live music on the water—Abby Stewart kicks things off May 8 with a country tribute, followed by jazz, Mardi Gras vibes, and a folk throwback.

Turtles Kingston Art Fundraiser | Saturday, September 27 | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Shell-ebrate local art and turtle conservation—peek the gallery in the morning, then stick around (and maybe snag a masterpiece) in the afternoon. Ticket sales begin in August.

Permanent Jewelry Pop-Up at La Bella | Saturday, May 3 | 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | La Bella Beauty Bar | Give the mom in your life that sparkle that lasts—choose from 65 chains for a timeless bracelet, anklet, or necklace at this luxe pop-up spa event.

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 🔥 

Dinosaurs Among Us is stomping into the PumpHouse starting tomorrow, April 15 until April 15, 2026. Expect prehistoric chaos and ROAR-some fun all year long!

Calling artists! Want to showcase your work at The Elm Café? Apply for Skeleton Park Arts Fest exhibitions.

Skeleton Park Arts Fest is accepting artisan vendor applications for the June 21-22 market. Apply by Sunday, April 27!

Trailhead Kingston is collecting old socks for recycling now through April 30. Drop off any brand to help Smartwool make something new!

Turtles Kingston needs volunteers for their Turtle Awareness Day on May 24.

Sew bed covers in fun and durable fabrics for furry friends at Kingston Humane Society

Young artists in grades K-12 can enter the Gerald Warren Youth Award for Creativity and win cash prizes, gift cards, and more by submitting their pottery creations!

Get up to 70 percent off apparel at Once Upon a Child Kingston; just in time for the holiday!

Weather

Monday
High 11°C 🌡️ Low 3°C | 🌤️ a.m. + 🌧️ p.m.

Tuesday
High 8°C 🌡️ Low 1°C | 🌧️ 

🌡️ View current weather here.

🚗 See live traffic here.

⛽ Check out local gas prices here.

Signing Off

That’s a wrap! Get out there and create some buzz this week. Who knows, you might just be the next legend we can’t stop talking about! 👀 Catch you on Wednesday.

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