Climate change theme for Purple Onion Festival

FOOD: Taste of the Kawarthas display to have 10 local chefs serving samples of locally sourced food

The Purple Onion Festival hits Millennium Park on Sunday, celebrating local food and culture.

The fifth annual event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with climate change as this year’s theme.

The free festival features live entertainment, vendor and information booths, a wellness village, transition skills forum, a painted rain barrel contest and a dance for climate change.

There’s also the Taste of the Kawarthas, where 10 local chefs serve samples of nutritional creations using locally sourced produce.

New to the festival this year is the Electric City Electric Vehicle Meet.

Sponsored by Peterborough Mitsubishi, the dealership will have its award-winning electric car, i-MiEV, on hand, with local EV owners encouraged to display their cars or bikes, too.

The city’s first EV Meet ties in with the festival’s climate change theme.

“One of the ways of combating climate change, the main one, is to reduce carbon C02 emission and electric vehicles is one way of doing that,” said Guy Hanchet, one of Purple Onion’s organizers.

Hanchet likened the EV Meet to a classic car show, where owners have their vehicle on display and can answer questions about it.

Returning for its second year is the Painted Rain Barrel Contest.

Barrels were sent out to a number of schools and summer camps for youth to decorate, illustrating the connection between climate change, local economy and water.

“It’s a very good teaching opportunity for teachers to teach their pupils a little bit about climate change and the causes and effects of it,” said Hanchet.

Festival goers can cast their ballot for their favourite barrel, before barrels are sold off with proceeds benefiting Seeds of Change and the New Canadian Centre.

This year, instead of For Our Grandchildren’s usual rally, they’re hosting Dance for the Climate.

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., the event will feature singing, dancing and guest speakers.

Musician Al Black and Beau Dixon will perform, with Vicki Clarke teaching dance and Hanah McFarlane and Stephen Hill saying a few words.

Prizes will be awarded for the best individual and group costume based on the Climate Change theme.

During the hour-long event, performers on the main stage, including Jeannie and Ken, Nathan Jackson, High waters Duo (Mike Kidd and Jeremy James) and Michelle Prins, will take a break, picking up again at 2:30 p.m.

Keeping the local economy in focus, vendors will only accept the Kawartha Loon at par.

Peterborough Community Credit Union is the banking agent for the Kawartha Loon and will be selling the currency at par the Taste of the Kawarthas tent.

NOTE: The Purple Onion Festival website is www.purpleonionfestival.ca