For Immediate Release
Algonquin Highlands, Ontario
Monday, Feb. 2, 2026
11 A.M.
Release #26-01
2026 Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival – Feb. 13 &14
The 34th annual Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival takes place Feb. 13 and 14.
The frosty fun kicks off with a community skating party at the Dorset Ice Palace (located in Lions Centennial Park) on Friday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Festivities for Saturday, Feb. 14 get underway with a pancake breakfast at the Dorset Recreation Centre at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Snowball Parade at 10:30 a.m. and official opening ceremony at 11 a.m.
A host of activities follows from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including but not limited to horse-drawn wagon rides, cardboard toboggan races, hockey shoot-out, inflatable axe-throwing, Great Canadian Lumberjack shows, wildlife calling and chainsaw carving demonstrations, face painting, a maze and silent auction. There will be a birds of prey show and Amanda’s Exotic Animals will also be on site.
Attendees will be able to peruse vendors’ booths, and a variety of delicious food will be available. The Dorset Heritage Museum at 1040 Main Street will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The carnival wraps up with Hockey Night in Dorset at 6 p.m. with the team from Dorset taking on opponents from Lake of Bays Township.
This year, Snowball includes a colouring contest for children up to 10 years or age. Colouring sheets can be picked up at the Dorset Recreation Centre (1051 Main Street) or downloaded from the Algonquin Highlands website at https://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/explore-play/dorset-snowball-winter-carnival
Pre-registration is required to participate in the Snowball Parade, carboard toboggan races and hockey shoot-out. Please call 705-766-9968 or visit the Algonquin Highlands website at https://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/explore-play/dorset-snowball-winter-carnival/
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Staff Contact:
Sandra Rogers
Recreation Coordinator
Township of Algonquin Highlands
1051 Main Street, Dorset
705-766-9968
srogers@algonquinhighlands.ca
News
Schedule for the Minden Hills Library and Cultural Centre’s Roof Replacement
Release # 26-07
Subject: Library and Cultural Centre Roof Replacement Schedule
Please be advised the roof at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre (MHCC) and Library facility is being replaced. The construction is scheduled to start on Monday, February 2, 2026 at the MHCC and Library located at 174-176 Bobcaygeon Road.
The back entrance to the MHCC facility will not be accessible starting on Friday, January 30, 2026 as work begins on site preparation and during the construction. Visitors are requested to use the front entrance to access the Cultural Centre. There are no impacts to the Library entrance at this time.
The Dawson Hamilton Outdoor Memorial Rink will remain open, weather permitting. Access to the rink will be from the Parkside Street gate or Library parking lot.
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News from Minden Hills
Canoe FM's Elizabeth Oakley reports that Minden Hills Mayor Enacts Strong Mayors Veto on Budget Amendments for Monday, Jan. 19
5 pm newscast:
Balancing priorities and preparing for the unknown, while keeping the taxpayers’ burden as low
as possible is a tough job, but it’s one Minden Hills Mayor Bob Carter takes seriously. That’s
why he’s chosen to enact the Strong Mayors power he’s been given to veto eight amendments
already passed by council during the 2026 Budget deliberations.
Carter and Dysart et Al Mayor Murray Fearrey are the only two heads of council granted the
Strong Mayor powers in May of 2025. Among other specifics, this power allows them to veto
any budget amendments they feel do not meet the needs of their communities.
When Mayor presented the proposed budget to council on Dec. 15, the tax increase for
residents was 3 point nine five per cent. Councilors then passed 25 amendments to this year’s
budget to include charges that were unknown or unavailable at the time of the original budget.
Others were to correct errors or omissions.
Carter spoke with CanoeFM earlier today to explain what amendments he vetoed and the
rationale behind them. The majority of these involved adding back items that appeared in the
first draft of the budget but had been voted out by councilors.
Carter chose to bring back the Riverwalk lighting project, the sidewalk/crosswalk project, a
pickup truck for plowing of public lots along with a new staff person to operate it. Carter
reinstated both the moloks and the organics program in order to divert and extend the life of
the landfill. He also included a bulldozer for use at the landfill site and halted plans for the old
fire hall.
The tax increase for Minden Hills under the latest iteration of the 2026 budget is 4 point four six
per cent.
Mayor Carter said unless council voices opposition to the vetoed items, the budget will come
up for passage at the January 29 th meeting.
Haliburton Highlands Welcomes the 2026 Folk Festival
Media Release
Haliburton Highlands Welcomes the 2026 February Folk Fest
Month-Long Celebration of Music, Community, and Winter Warmth — February 1–28, 2026
The Haliburton Highlands and the Haliburton County Folk Society are delighted to announce the February Folk Festival, a community celebration of culture, live music and local talent, taking place throughout the Highlands from February 1–28.
This month-long festival brings together an exciting lineup of performances, from folk and acoustic to pop, blues, rock and opera, spread across a variety of beloved local venues including the Haliburton Legion, Dominion Hotel, Minden Curling Club, Brooksong Retreat Centre, Boshkung Social, and much more!
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible musical talent of the Highlands and offer visitors and residents meaningful experiences throughout February,” said Angelica Ingram, Tourism Manager for the County of Haliburton. “February Folk Fest is about community spirit, artistic expression, and enjoying great music together in the heart of winter.”
Festival Highlights:
- Live performances every week across multiple venues showcasing both local and touring artists.
- Special events including open jam nights, songwriter circles, winter square-dancing, pop-up performances and family-friendly afternoons of music and community.
- Free and ticketed shows making live music affordable and available for all.
Sponsors and Supporters
February Folk Fest wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our community partners:
- Canoe FM - amplifying the festival spirit on air and connecting local music lovers.
- Haliburton Rotary Club - fostering community engagement and supporting cultural events.
- Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC) - helping to bolster arts, culture, and tourism in the Highlands.
Their contributions are vital to bringing this celebration of creativity and community to life, providing meaningful, accessible experiences that enrich the cultural fabric of the region.
More than just a music series, February Folk Fest brings people together during the coldest month of the year, spotlighting local talent, supporting venues, and inviting attendees to explore the Haliburton Highlands’ vibrant cultural scene.
For full event listings, performer details and venue information, visit
https://myhaliburtonhighlands.com/february-folk-fest/
Update from the Township of Minden Hills
For Immediate Release
Minden, Ontario
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
12:45 PM
Release # 26-04
Subject: The Minden Hills Cultural Centre and Haliburton County Library Reopening
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre (MHCC) will re-open on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 and the Minden branch of the Haliburton County Library will reopen on Thursday, January 15, 2026 to the public.
There is still some construction happening at the facility with the roofing project getting underway next week and the shoring of the retaining wall soon to be completed. Please note that all parking will be available at the facility.
We thank you for your patience during this temporary closure and look forward to welcoming patrons back to the MHCC on Wednesday and the Minden Library on Thursday.
For more information, please visit www.mindenhills.ca for updates.
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Contact Information:
Township of Minden Hills
PO Box 359, 7 Milne Street
Minden, ON K0M 2K0
Email
Amber Alerts Save Lives
AMBER Alerts save lives
Your Help Could Mean the Difference for a Child in Danger
(ORILLIA, ON) - January 13 marks AMBER Alert Awareness Day, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding Ontarians that AMBER Alerts are a call for the public's help to find a child in danger.
An AMBER Alert is an emergency broadcast that is issued in the event of a child abduction. It is only issued when the abducted child is believed to be at imminent risk of bodily harm or death.
When the alert is issued, the description of the child (and, if available, the alleged suspect or involved vehicle) is immediately broadcast through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices via Alert Ready, Canada's emergency alerting system.
The issuing of an AMBER Alert is not taken lightly. Before an AMBER Alert is issued, specific guidelines must be met, and all of the following criteria must be satisfied:
- The law enforcement agency believes a child under 18 years of age has been abducted.
- The law enforcement agency believes the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
- There is enough descriptive information about one or more of the following: the child, the abductor, and/or the vehicle, which is sufficient to allow the law enforcement agency to believe that an immediate broadcast alert will help in locating the child.
During an AMBER Alert, time is critical. If you see or hear an alert, you should watch for the child, suspect and/or vehicle described, and report tips or sightings immediately by calling 9-1-1.
Calling 911 to complain about an AMBER Alert is considered public mischief and may result in charges.
Learn more about AMBER Alerts and how you can help by visiting opp.ca/AMBERAlert.
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Media Contact:
Jenna Thomson
Strategic Communications Advisor