🔦 In This Issue of Kingston Spotlight

🏃‍♀️ Running for a Cure: Cassie Porte Leads Inaugural Juvenile Arthritis Run

🌿 Neighbourhood Tree Planting Program Returns for 2026

🚆 Train Track Talk: Cataraqui Conservation Calls for Study

🎸 Everything He Does: Bryan Adams Returns This August

🛤️ Rock Solid History: High-Speed Dreams for the Frontenac Spur and the Shield

🥯 Bagel Boom: Kettlemans famous wood-fired treats are officially coming to Kingston!

🥞 Maple Madness | March Weekends + March Break | Little Cat

🍁 Maple Celebrations | March Weekends | Various Locations, PEC

❄️ Polar Plunge | March 8 | 1 Brock Street (Confederation Basin)

🎸 Blues for Women's Fundraiser | March 8 | Tir Nan Og

Suite Surrender | Domino Theatre, March 5 - 21

Vogue Charity Fashion Show | Kingston Grand, March 5 - 7

International Women's Day Celebration | Gananoque, March 6

Maple Madness | Little Cat, March Weekends + March Break

Maple Celebrations | PEC, March Weekends

Polar Plunge | 1 Brock Street (Confederation Basin), March 8

Blues for Women's Fundraiser | Tir Nan Og, March 8

Cassie and Friends Run for Juvenile Arthritis | City Park, March 15

Ramadan in the Limestone City, Helping Partners in Mission | Now until March 19

Kingstonlicious | Now until March 28, 2026

📣 Your Turn: Share a Local Gem

Do you have a favourite local business, community champion or organization that deserves a moment in the spotlight? (You can nominate yourself too!)

Help us celebrate the people who make the Kingston area shine. Tell us who they are and why they’re great—or give us the "inside scoop" on your own mission or business!

( P.S. The button leads to a Google Form. No Google account? No problem! Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll send the questions directly to your inbox so you don't miss out. )

📰 Kingston & Area Local News

🌿 A Tree-mendous Deal: Neighbourhood Planting Program Returns!

It’s time to "tree-t" your yard! The City of Kingston has officially brought back its Neighbourhood Tree Planting Program for 2026, and it’s a total steal. For just $20 (plus HST), you can snag a tree to help green up your property. They’ve got 11 different species to choose from this year—including the iconic Sugar Maple and the sturdy Eastern White Pine.

The catch? It’s first-come, first-served, and these beauties go faster than free coffee at a hockey rink. If you live in the city, you can order up to two trees per property. Head over to the city website to claim yours before they're all branched out!

Read the Full Story Here: Kingstonist

🚆 Train Track Talk: Cataraqui Conservation Calls for Study

Wait, what's happening with the 401? Cataraqui Conservation is raising their hand to say "hold on" to the high-speed rail plans. They want to make sure our local environment and water stay safe before any big tracks start crossing the landscape. It's all about making sure we grow in a way that doesn't mess with our natural backyard.

Read the Full Story Here: Whig Standard

🎸 Everything He Does: Bryan Adams Returns This August

Get your air guitars ready! Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams has announced he’s heading back to his birthplace on August 25. That’s right—the man behind "Summer of '69" was actually born right here in Kingston!

He’ll be taking the stage at Slush Puppie Place as part of his "Roll With The Punches" tour. Whether you grew up with his cassettes or just love a good power ballad, this is going to be one of the biggest nights of the summer. He always puts on a massive show, and we’re betting it’s going to be a packed house for this local homecoming. Keep an eye out for ticket dates so you don’t miss out!

Read the Full Story Here: Whig Standard

🛤️ Rock Solid History: High-Speed Dreams for the Frontenac Spur and the Shield

There is some major "train of thought" happening in South Frontenac right now, and it’s digging deep into our history and our geology! The proposed "Alto" high-speed rail corridor is looking at the "Frontenac Spur," a route that has been studied since at least the late 19th century.

The big interest? The solid granite of the Canadian Shield. While it’s famously tough to build on, the geology of the Shield provides a stable, "settled" foundation that could theoretically support the extreme speeds and weights of high-speed trains better than the softer soils found elsewhere. However, local residents are pointing out that "stable rock" for a train might mean "major disruption" for the delicate ecosystems and communities that have lived atop that granite for generations. It’s a battle between 100-year-old engineering dreams and the modern-day protection of our rural landscape.

Read the Full Story Here: Frontenac News

🥯 The Bagel Boom: Kettlemans is Coming to Town!

Fresh bagels are officially on the horizon! Ottawa-based Kettlemans Bagel has announced a major expansion that includes a brand-new location right here in Kingston. Known for their traditional Montreal-style, wood-fired bagels that are rolled by hand and boiled in honey water, this is a massive win for our local food scene.

No more driving to Ottawa for that perfect schmear—our brunch game is about to get a serious upgrade. While we're still waiting on the exact location and opening date, the thought of fresh, hot bagels being available 24/7/365 has us checking our watches already. Keep your eyes peeled for more details soon!

Read the Full Story Here: CTV News

🏆 Community Champions

🏃‍♀️ Running for a Cure: Cassie Porte Leads Inaugural Juvenile Arthritis Run

Kingston is getting a little more "friendly" this month! Queen’s student Cassie Porte is bringing the very first "Cassie and Friends" run to City Park on Saturday, March 15. Cassie, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when she was just a toddler, has spent her life showing that this disease can’t slow her down.

Now, she’s leading the charge right here in the Limestone City to raise awareness and funds for kids and families facing the same journey. It’s a collaboration with the Queen’s Rheumatic Disease Club, and it’s all about building a community where no kid has to feel alone in their diagnosis. Whether you're a serious runner or just looking for a fun way to support a great cause, it’s going to be a morning full of heart and big wins for our local youth!

Read the Full Story Here: Whig Standard

Why social media plays hard to get (like your high school crush)

You keep putting your business out there, but no matter how you dress up your posts, social media is playing hard to get.

If you’re tired of posting and only getting a few sympathy likes and comments, this short, free webinar shows you exactly how to stop the chase and finally get to a yes!

📅 Events In and Around Kingston

🥞 Sweet Traditions: Maple Madness | March Weekends + March Break | Little Cat

March means maple syrup, and the tractors are officially warming up! Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is hosting its iconic Maple Madness again for 2026. You can take a wagon ride out to the sugar bush, learn how the liquid gold is made, and—most importantly—fill up on fresh pancakes at the sugar shack.

The event runs every weekend in March plus the whole of March Break (starting March 7). Just a heads up: online registration is required this year to help keep the crowds manageable, so make sure you book your spot before you head out. Don’t forget to check out the face painting and the maple shop for some treats to take home!

Read the Full Story Here: Cataraqui Conservation

🍁 Liquid Gold: Maple Celebrations in the County! | March Weekends

If you're looking for a sweet road trip, Prince Edward County is the place to be this March! Throughout the entire month, local sugarbushes across "The County" are opening their doors for the annual Maple Celebrations. From the classic pancake breakfasts at Walt's Sugar Shack to wagon rides and taffy on snow at Waupoos Estates, there’s a little bit of maple magic for everyone.

Every weekend offers something different, like self-guided maple walks at Justin’s Maple Syrup or s'mores and fire pits at Sugarbush Vineyards. It all leads up to the big "Maple in the County" weekend on March 28th and 29th. It’s the perfect excuse to explore the rural charm of PEC while supporting our local producers. Grab your boots and get ready for a sugar rush!

Read the Full Story Here: Visit the County

❄️ Freezin' for a Reason: The 2026 Polar Plunge | March 8 | 1 Brock Street

Are you brave enough to take the icy dip? The Kingston Police Polar Plunge is back on Sunday, March 8, at the bottom of Brock Street (behind the Confederation Place Hotel). Whether you’re jumping in yourself or just coming to cheer on the brave souls from the shore, it’s all for a fantastic cause—supporting over 23,000 Special Olympics Ontario athletes.

Registration kicks off at 9:30 AM, with the actual plunging starting at 11:00 AM. It’s a high-energy morning full of costumes, community spirit, and a whole lot of cold water. Even if you don’t want to get wet, come down and show some love for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and our local athletes!

Read the Full Story Here: Whig Standard

❄️ Freezin' for a Reason: The 2026 Polar Plunge | March 8 | 1 Brock Street

Are you brave enough to take the icy dip? The Kingston Police Polar Plunge is back on Sunday, March 8, at the bottom of Brock Street (behind the Confederation Place Hotel). Whether you’re jumping in yourself or just coming to cheer on the brave souls from the shore, it’s all for a fantastic cause—supporting over 23,000 Special Olympics Ontario athletes.

Registration kicks off at 9:30 AM, with the actual plunging starting at 11:00 AM. It’s a high-energy morning full of costumes, community spirit, and a whole lot of cold water. Even if you don’t want to get wet, come down and show some love for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and our local athletes!

Read the Full Story Here: Whig Standard

🎸 Stand Up for Success: Blues for Women’s Fundraiser | March 8 | Tir Nan Og

Celebrate International Women’s Day with a full day of powerhouse local music at Tir Nan Og! The "Blues for Women’s" fundraiser brings together an incredible lineup of female artists—including SayitBack, Lauren Carson, The Kildeers, Mellow Lily, and Abby Stewart—all in support of Dress for Success Kingston.

Dress for Success does amazing work in our city, providing women with the professional attire, support network, and career tools they need to achieve economic independence. The show starts at 4:00 PM and tickets are $20 in advance (or Pay-What-You-Can at the door). It’s a great way to enjoy some local talent while helping neighbors gain the confidence to define their own success.

Read the Full Story Here: Kingstonist

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