20th Annual Oshawa Peony Festival

20 th Annual Oshawa

June 8 & 9

This event is presented as part of the City’s centennial celebrations.

20TH ANNUAL

OSHAWA

PE O NY

FESTIVAL

June 8 & 9, 2024

Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens 155 Arena Street

Oshawa.ca/Peony

Top 100 Festivals & Events Ontario for the 12th year in a row!

Land Acknowledgment: The City of Oshawa is situated on lands and waters within the Williams Treaties Territory, home to seven First Nation communities of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg, who have cared for and maintained these lands from the time immemorial and continue to do so to present day.

Letter From The Mayor

Welcome In 2024, the City of Oshawa celebrates the 20 th anniversary of the Peony Festival, marking it as one of the standout events of the year. Recognized once again by Festivals and Events Ontario as one of the Top 100 Festivals in the province, this year’s Festival promises even more excitement as we also celebrate the City’s centennial.

Be sure to experience the new branding throughout the Festival grounds, with expanded offerings i the picturesque Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (O.V.B.G.). Discover a wide array of artists, vendors and interactive activities among the stunning backdrop of the O.V.B.G., renowned for its diverse collection of plants and flowers, including the impessive peony garden boasting over 300 varieties curated by the City of Oshawa Horticulture staff.

The Festival continues to evolve with new activities this year with live music, demonstrations, food vendors, children’s activities and much more. Don’t miss the cut flower show inside hildren’s

Arena (located beside the O.V.B.G.), showcasing hundreds of beautifully cut peonies, curated by the Canadian Peony Society and Festivals and Events Ontario volunteer of the year winner, Judi Denny.

For those eager to explore beyond the Festival grounds, complimentary shuttles are available to Parkwood National Historic Site and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery.

Thank you for being part of the City of Oshawa’s Peony Festival. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Sincerely,

Dan Carter Mayor

Our History

The Michael & Judi Denny Peony Garden

The history of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens peony collection and peony garden.

The Peony Garden at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens was named “The Michael and Judi Denny Peony Garden” on June 10, 2014, to commemorate the contributions made by the late Michael Denny and his wife Judi toward the establishment of the Peony Garden and the Peony Festival.

The current Peony Garden is based on the Walter Gilbert collection which Michael and Judi relocated and cared for until a permanent home could be found. They donated their own plants and in coordination with the Gilbert Collection created the City of Oshawa Peony Garden. The first garden that official opened at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens was the Peony Garden. It was established

in 2001 with 100 peonies donated by the Canadian Peony Society. The peony collection now numbers over 300 varieties.

The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens also includes a collection of lilacs, hostas, a water feature garden, a commemorative gazebo and paths linked by a pedestrian footbridge. In 2017, a beautiful collection of daylilies was planted on the east side of the creek. Cross the bridge to take a look at this garden.

Meet Judi Denny – The Festivals and Events Ontario Volunteer Of 2024

Judi Denny has been a cornerstone of the Peony Festival since 2004, driving its growth with her dedication and passion. She and

her late husband Michael donated many peonies to create the beautiful garden at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (O.V.B.G.). As a Canadian Peony Society member, Judi brings unparalleled expertise to the festival, organizing the judged peony show and advising the City’s Parks and Horticultural staff. Her deep knowledge of peonies is truly remarkable. During the pandemic, Judi produced and starred in instructional peony videos, sharing her wisdom widely. Her leadership in volunteer recruitment ensures the festival’s ongoing success. The City of Oshawa is profoundly grateful for Judi’s unmatched passion, expertise, and caring nature. Her impact on the Peony Festival and the O.V.B.G. gardens are immeasurable. Congratulations and thank you Judi, for your outstanding dedication.

20th Anniversary

A Peony with Local History

This 20 th anniversary Peony Festival, we have chosen to feature a Canadian peony named Faith Fenton. Faith Fenton was created by a dentist from Toronto named Dr. Frederick Brethour. Dr. Brethour had land in Whitby where he grew and crossed peonies.

He created 28 registered peonies. Only two can be found today, Faith Fenton and Josette. Both are very rare. Faith Fenton is named after the first female columnist writing for the Toronto Empire newspaper. Alice Freeman was a local girl from Bowmanville who worked as a schoolteacher. She wrote under the pseudonym name Faith Fenton. Journalism was an unacceptable career choice for a teacher at that time. Alice needed both jobs to support herself as neither paid well.

We picked Faith Fenton to bring some local history to the Festival. Both the originator and the name are local to this area. Dr Frederick Brethour is even buried in a local cemetery (Union Cemetery). You can read more about Faith Fenton the writer, in a book written by Jill Downie called A Passionate Pen. Tying it all together, even Jill Downie is living in Ontario.

Event Program

In The Arena

Canadian Peony Society Judged Show

Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Washrooms are located inside Children’s Arena as well as in the garden on both sides of the creek:

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Note: The Judged Peony Flower Show in the arena will open on Saturday at 11 a.m. after judging is completed.

Enter the photo contest at:

Oshawa.ca/Peony to win great prizes

June 8 to July 14

Come see the grand champion of the peony flower show and the collection of beautiful entries.

Peony advice and sales of peony floral arrangements, while supplies last.

Art Competition

Vote for your favourite interpretation of a peony!

Vandermeer Nursery Display & Sales

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vandermeer Nursery has helped transform Children’s Arena and our garden stage into a garden oasis. See what products they have for sale outside in the garden.

Visit the Free Event

Photo Booths in the arena and garden to capture your day!

Above photo: 2023

Art Contest 1 st place

winner Connie Maglioli

Left photo: Duncan Hopkins Band

On Stage

Stage Entertainment

Saturday June 8

Sam Ninan

10 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies

11 a.m.

Judi Denny – Festivals and Events

Ontario Volunteer of the Year

Announcement of the grand champion of the flower show and opening remarks.

Adam Crossman

11:30 a.m.

Ikebana Floral Demonstration

12:30 p.m.

Swing Street Big Band

1:40 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

Stage Entertainment

Sunday June 11

Adam Crossman

10 a.m.

Larra Skye Trio

11 a.m.

Duncan Hopkins 12 p.m.

Ikebana Floral Demonstration

1 p.m.

Duncan Hopkins 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

In the Garden

Community Displays and Sponsors

Canadian Peony Society

Peony advice

Panera Bread

Magic Windows

Farm Boy

Renewal by Andersen

Durham College

Durham Master Gardeners

Gardening advice

Oshawa Museum

Oshawa Tourism

CUPE Local 250/251

Oshawa Art Association

Art Activity

Oshawa Accessibility

Advisory Committee

CIBC Run for the Cure

Oshawa Public Library

Pickering Museum Village Oshawa Camera Club

Workshops at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily

Oshawa Senior Community Centres 55+

Displays and Sponsors are located along the path leading into the park from Arena St.

Artisans, Vendors and Food

Garden inspired works by painters, sculptors and artisans.

Artisans and vendors are located throughout the park see pages 6 and 7.

Interactive Activities

Beetles and Butterflies from around the World (Children’s Zone)

Creative Club Lego and Parent Lounge (Children’s Zone)

Theatre on the Ridge (Children’s Zone)

LivingRoom Mobile Art Bus (East side of the creek)

Durhamways Paint a Bus (East side of the creek)

Tree Talk & Tours

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily

Buskers

We hope you will enjoy the buskers placed throughout the park.

Adam Crossman, Sam Ninan, Danny Zaidman and Giai who will enchant you with her crystal ball.

PEONY GARDENS ARTISAN

COFFEE BRAKE

Artisans, Vendors and Food

A list of vendors that will be at the Peony Festival.

Vendors and food are available:

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendors

• 3dforge.shop

• Bunny’s Burrow Crochet

• Canadian Peony Society (in arena)

• Clarrie’s Fine Art

• Coffee rake

• Couture Candlelight

• Creative Novel Art

• Creative Wood Products

• Designs by Diane

• Diane Maxwell Artist

• Eastcliff arm

• Eat My Shortbread

• Fetching

• Handcrafted JMS

• Handmade Simplify

• Highlands Soy Candle Co.

• Tulips and Twitch Garden Art and Decor

• Jackie Warmelink Potter

• Julieta’s Art Corner

• Just Some Local Artists

• Kat’s Kreations

• Kopi Thyme

• KS Creations

• KvH Fashions

• Laila Goddess

• Linda Baker Cole Fine Arts

• MLL Apparel (by My Legging Lady)

• Newfound Flavours

• nostalgia91

• Olivia Leigh Designs

• PaPaw’s Bakery

• Phoenix Soap Company

• Pink Squirrel

• Rose Swan

• Rotary Club of Oshawa Parkwood

• Rustic Path Studio

• Shop by Bree Beauty

• The Hemp Spot

• Vandermeer Nursery

• Wall Naturals

• Whimsical Crispie Co.

• Wool 4 Ewe Fiber Mill Food

• Coal Pot Jerk

• Coco Fresh Tea and Juices

• Golden Grill

• Masala Box

• Smoke’s Poutinerie

• Sunny Hotdog

• The Ice Cream Man

Above photo: Highlands Soy Candle Co.

Right photo: Masala Food Box

More

to See

Free Shuttle Bus

Free shuttle service between destinations in Oshawa on the weekend of the Peony Festival courtesy of Oshawa Senior Community Centres OSCC+55.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service to nearby attractions and parking lots is available every 20 minutes:

Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shuttle Service will stop at:

• Peony Festival

• Parkwood National Historic Site

• The Robert McLaughlin Gallery 72 Queen St.

• Arts Resource Centre 45 Queen St. (parking)

• Parkade 2 (north west corner of Bond St. W. and McMillan Dr.)

Parking

Parking at 155 Arena St. is for those holding a Ministry of Transportation issued Accessible Parking Permit. It must be prominently displayed so our attendants can provide access to the lot.

There is off-site free parking at:

• City Hall parking lot: 45 Queen St.

• Parkade 2: 117 Bond St.

• On-street parking where permitted by law

• Grass lot east of Arena St. and west of Kaiser Cres. on the north side of Adelaide Ave. W.

Local Traffic Only

The following roads will be for local traffic only with no parking during the festival:

• Gladstone Ave. from Arena St. to Colborne St. W.

• Elgin St. W. from Arena St. to Warren Ave.

• Colborne St. W. between Arena St. and Gladstone Ave.

Shuttle Pick Up / Drop Off

Accessible Parking Only

Public Parking

Our

Garden

Peony Cultivars

Map & List

A numbered list of all the peony cultivars in the garden.

The map indicates how the peonies are numbered and located.

Peonies numbered “T01” – “T34” are tree peonies.

Tree Peonies

T01 Rimpo

T02 Taisho - no - Hokori

T03 Renkaku

T04 Kokamon

T05 Terpsichore

T06 Shimadaijin

T07 Unknown

T08 Ice Storm

T09 Gilbert Seedling

T10 Nike

T11 Tama - Sudare

T12 Gilbert Seedling

T13 Kamada - Fuji

T14 Kamada - Nishiki

T15 Hana Kisoi

T16 Boreas

T17 Yatsuka Jishi

T18 Fuso Tsukasa

T20 Hatsu Garashu

T21

T19 Godaishu Vacant

T22 Dou Lu

T23 Black Pirate

T24 Banquet

T25 Terpsichore

T26 Anna Marie

T27 Leda

T28 Ezra Pound

T29 Guardian of the Monastery

T31

T30 High Noon Gauguin

T32 Souvenir du Professor Maxime Cournu

T33 Savage Splendor

T35 Ariadne

T36 Alice Harding

T37 Renown Peonies

001 Minnie Shaylor

002 Sword Dance

003 Charlie’s White

004 Gay Paree

005 Hot Chocolate

006 Largo

007 Rare China

008 Carrara

009 Festiva Maxima

010 Pink Princess

011 Skylark

012 King’s Ransom

013 Miss America

T34 Guardian of the Monastery

014 Nick Shaylor

015 Isami Jishi

016 Myrtle Tischler 017 Ann Cousins 018 The Nathans

Dainty

020 Old Faithful 021 Friendship 022 Sea Shell

023 Springfiel

024 Douglas Brand

025 Norma Volz

026 Milton Jack

027 Kukeni-Jishi

028 Flame

029 Pride of Blasdell

030 Surugu

031 Krinkled White

032 Onahama

033 Auguste Dessert

034 Alexander Woollcott

035 Kansas

036 Black Swan

037 Moonrise

038 Paula Fay

039 Princess Margaret

040 Roselette Requiem

042 041 Vacant

043 Pastel Splendor

044 America

045 Shawnee Chief

046 Illini Warrior

047 Jewel

048 Rashoomon

049 Bright Knight

050 Rose Crystal

051 Kathryn Ann

052 Kukeni-Jishi

053 Petticoat Flounce

054 Gay Paree

055 Miss America

056 Ida Ruth

057 Henry Bockstoce

058 Coral Charm

059 Karen Grey 060 Requiem

061 Lotus Bloom

062 Rose Heart

063 Charm

064 Peter Barr

065 Red Charm

066 June Rose

067 Bill Krekler

068 Cytherea

068A Feathertip

069 Plainsman

070 Suzanna Hotz

071 Mons. Martin Cahuzac

072 Chocolate Soldier

073 Requiem

074 Red Grace

075 Sarah Bernhardt

076 Vacant

077 Coral Charm

078 Akashigata

079 Mother’s Choice

080 Coral Charm

081 Red Charm

082 Rosaurea

083 Irene May Gilbert

084 Susie Smith

085 Illini Belle

086 Claudia

087 Pink Teacup

088 Scarlet O’Hara

089 Mandarin’s Coat

090 Sweet Melody

Photo by: Daniella Paudash

Event Coordination

Centennial Event Sponsors

Stage Sponsor Art Contest Sponsor Supporting Sponsors

Event Vehicle Sponsor Shuttle Provider Grant funding provided by

Photo Contest judging by The Oshawa Camera Club

The Peony Festival in Oshawa is an open public event. Some photographers may be present taking photos and video footage at this event. By participating, you consent to use by the City of Oshawa of such images, which may be used without further notification to you at a later date on ity-owned and non-City-owned property, print media, the Internet, social media sites, media releases and broadcasts.

If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 or email service@oshawa.ca

2025 Peony Festival

June 7 & 8, 2025

Oshawa.ca/Peony

Join us as we celebrate the 21 st year of the Peony Festival

See you then!