Where culture meets community

NEWMARKET CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

From 2019 - 2022, The Town of Newmarket partnered with the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) to host a variety of events and programs in honour of Black History Month. This included art exhibitions hosted at Old Town Hall, celebration events, cultural performances, story and poetry readings and more.

In February 2020, Newmarket welcomed the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, to Newmarket’s Old Town Hall to share the Heart of Africa: Retracing our History exhibit. The exhibit was a partnership with NACCA.

Her Honour shared this experience with a group of young women from Trust 15, a community support organization that provides youth with programs that promote and facilitate positive behaviour, creative expression and cooperative working skills.

The Town will continue to work closely with NACCA to pay tribute to the important and lasting contributions that Canadians of African and Caribbean heritage have made in Newmarket and throughout our country.

DISMANTLING ANTI-BLACK RACISM

In 2020, Newmarket created a Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force to support the Town’s work in this area, encourage positive race relations within the community, and make recommendations on racial equity opportunities in Newmarket and issues and activities that impact the Black community. In 2021, the Task Force presented a report to Newmarket Council, including a number of recommendations that the Town is working toward implementing to ensure Newmarket is a community where everyone feels a strong sense of support and belonging.

THE BEAT GOES ON AT RIVERWALK COMMONS WITH TD MUSIC SERIES

The summer of 2019 brought music to the Town’s ears with the TD Music Series, offering free tribute band performances every Thursday night in July and August. Thousands of residents and visitors enjoyed amazing performances each week.

With 20 plus restaurants, busy patios and an engaging and welcoming atmosphere, these events helped to add to the buzz of the already thriving and vibrant downtown area. After being put on hold in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, the Town couldn’t be more excited to relaunch the TD Music Series in the summer of 2022.

TOWN HELPS FIND NEW HOME FOR LOCAL HOMELESS SHELTER

Newmarket is taking action to help end homelessness by supporting local homeless shelter Inn From the Cold (IFTC) with the creation of a permanent site on Yonge Street that will include a future shelter and transitional housing. Working closely with IFTC on the future plans, the Town will donate a portion of land to start the plans for increased space to help those without a home transition to a better life.

A JOURNEY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

On September 30, 2021, the community came together with Indigenous partners to remember and reflect, in recognition of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The theme of the event was Remembering the Past, Honouring

the Survivors, Walking the Future Together. The day included storytelling and song delivered by partners in the Indigenous community. Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Town hosted an internal orange hat fundraiser with all proceeds going to Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services, an organization that was selected in collaboration with the Chippewas of Georgina Island, our closest Indigenous neighbours and friends.

NEWMARKET PROPELS ARTS AND CULTURE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEWROADS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

In 2019, the Town was happy to announce a multi-year partnership with the NewRoads Automotive Group that will help to drive the arts and culture scene forward. Through the sponsorship, the Newmarket Theatre was renamed the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre which coincided with theatre renovations that offer residents and visitors an elevated live performance experience without having to travel to Toronto. Significant renovations have transformed the lobby into a modern reception space that welcomes theatregoers and provides a destination for special events.

WELCOME TO NEWMARKET’S COMMUNITY LIVING ROOM

In September 2020, Newmarket officially unveiled its newest public art installation – an outdoor Community Living Room in the heart of downtown at Riverwalk Commons. Inspired by former Mayor Tony Van Bynen and created by

artist Edward Falkenberg, the living room was chosen because it is a place where family and friends connect, socialize, relax, laugh and create lasting memories.

LIBRARY INTRODUCES ONLINE PROGRAMMING AND MORE

At the beginning of the pandemic, Newmarket Public Library (NPL) adapted quickly to create online programming for the first time. Along with its own programs, NPL forged partnerships to provide additional programming with organizations such as Skills Canada, Shadowpath Theatre, Canada Revenue Agency and others. The Library also launched the Ancestral Voices author series with Maxine Gordon Palomino and Kim Wheatley. The program aims to provide greater exposure for Canadian authors of Indigenous, Caribbean and African ancestry. The Lendery, a library of things, was also introduced to provide the community with an opportunity to borrow appliances, board games, sports equipment, tools, and more. People can try something new or borrow an item they may only need once. Throughout the pandemic, customers borrowed items through NPL’s Online Library, available 24/7, used curbside service in the early days, and again in person when health restrictions were eased.

NEWMARKET HONOURS ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WITH LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PLAQUE

In June 2020, as part of National Indigenous History Month, the Town of Newmarket, in partnership with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, unveiled a permanent Land Acknowledgement plaque, in appreciation to all Indigenous peoples for sharing the Newmarket lands with the community.

The Land Acknowledgement plaque will serve as a reminder that Newmarket sits on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudeno-saunee and the Anishinaabe peoples and treaty land of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous peoples.

Together, the Town will continue to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of Indigenous peoples.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: YORK PRIDE 2019

Newmarket celebrated its true colours in rainbowstyle at the York Pride Parade in June 2019. The parade was accompanied by fun festivities at Riverwalk Commons, including local and international talent, pop-up shops, crafts and more. Local restaurants offered everything from rainbow beer to rainbow cake and rainbow flags and window decals took over Main Street, celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of our community. Newmarket was very excited to welcome back the York Pride Parade in summer 2022 after a pause in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.

CANADA’S COOLEST FIRE TRUCK DEBUTS IN NEWMARKET

In 2021, Central York Fire Services (proudly providing fire services to the communities of Newmarket and Aurora) was excited to debut the newest addition to its fleet – a Zamboni wrapped as a fire truck. Stationed at Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons outdoor skating rink in the heart of Newmarket, it combines two things that everybody loves Zamboni’s and fire trucks! Featured on Breakfast Television, the fire truck Zamboni is helping to break the ice on conversations around fire safety and education. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!

TOWN OPENS FIRST FULLY ACCESSIBLE SPRAY PAD

In the summer of 2021, Newmarket opened Dr. Margaret Arkinstall Park spray pad, the first fully accessible spray pad for the community.

The harvest-themed spray pad has various accessible features. This continues to further Newmarket’s commitment to providing accessible facilities and amenities.

NEWMARKET OPENS FIRST OUTDOOR SKATE PARK!

After extensive community consultation, hearing from over 400 community members and skateboard enthusiasts, the Town was excited to officially open its first outdoor skate park to the community in the late summer of 2022. The outdoor skate park includes a variety of features to accommodate both junior and advanced riders.