Good morning! This is The Oakville Digest, your trusted guide to everything happening in the beautiful town of Oakville, Ontario.

Here is what to expect in today’s issue:

• 💰 Town of Oakville invests in BIAs

• ⏰ Clocks are moving forward

• 📅 A list of events for your weekend!

Thanks for being part of our growing community. Let us know what you loved in today’s issue by replying to this email, and….

Let’s dive in!

News

💰 Oakville Approves $2M Budget for BIAs – Exciting Events Ahead!

The Town of Oakville has approved over $2 million in funding for its three Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) to enhance community experiences and boost local businesses. Approved at the February 24 council meeting, the budgets include $1.2 million for Downtown Oakville, $391,775 for Bronte, and $459,745 for Kerr Village.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s planned:

• Bronte BIA is expanding its Bronte Farmers Market to 12 weeks, running every Sunday from July to September. Expect lakeside concerts, cultural festivals, and a two-day Fall Festival in September. The popular annual tree lighting returns on November 22.

• Downtown Oakville BIA is bringing playful light-up see-saws to Towne Square this March, along with Stroller Socials, Singles Mingles, and the fun Tails and Treats dog costume contest. They’re also planning candlelit concerts and exploring a new Hometown Holiday experience.

• Kerr Village BIA will host the much-loved Kerrfest from September 5-7, a Halloween Little Tot Trick or Treat, and the Christmas tree lighting on December 6, supporting Kerr Street Mission.

With these exciting events lined up, Oakville’s 2025 calendar is set to be full of fun and community spirit!

⏰ Time to Spring Forward, Oakville!

Ready or not, daylight saving time is just around the corner! On Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m., we’ll be moving the clocks forward an hour—so don’t forget to “spring forward” before bed on Saturday night. While we lose an hour of sleep, we gain extra evening sunshine!

This annual ritual sticks around despite efforts to end it. Ontario’s Time Amendment Act, passed in 2020, aims to make daylight saving time permanent. But for that to happen, Quebec and New York State need to get on board. Fingers crossed for future change, but for now, we’re still setting those clocks!

Fun fact: Not all of Canada does the time dance! The Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, and parts of B.C. and Quebec skip daylight saving and stick to standard time all year.

So mark your calendars, Oakville—March 9 is coming fast. Enjoy the extra daylight and maybe plan for an extra cup of coffee that morning!

Community Spotlight

🎖️ Honouring Oakville’s Heroes: Coronation Medals Awarded

Forty-four outstanding Oakville residents were celebrated this past weekend as they received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their remarkable contributions to the community. The special ceremony took place on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with Oakville MP Anita Anand presenting the medals to the deserving recipients.

The honourees were recognized for their significant impact on Oakville, whether through community service, exceptional achievements, or contributions that brought credit to Canada. Nearly 100 locals were nominated by fellow residents who wanted to highlight their positive influence.

During the ceremony, MP Anand expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am privileged to be able to celebrate the awarding of these medals with you this afternoon and to recognize your incredible service to our community."

Congratulations to all 44 medalists for their dedication and hard work in making Oakville a better place!

Weather

Friday, February 28
🌨️ Breezy with low clouds; some afternoon snow, accumulating a coating to 1 cm; untreated surfaces will be slippery.
High: 1°C | Low: -2°C

Saturday, March 1
🌨️ Some snow in the morning, accumulating a coating to 1 cm; increasingly windy with low clouds; storm total snowfall 1-2 cm.
High: 3°C | Low: -14°C

Sunday, March 2
☀️ Mostly sunny early, then areas of low clouds forming.
High: -6°C | Low: -11°C

Events

• Paint and Sip 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | February 28 (more info)

  • Location: Taste of Colombia - Fair Trade Coffee & Gift Shop, 67 Bronte Road #2, Oakville

  • Description: Unleash your creativity at this fun Paint and Sip event! Create a modern abstract texturized painting while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine or coffee. No experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Enjoy great music, a relaxed atmosphere, and the chance to mingle with fellow art lovers. Space is limited, so get your tickets now!

• Art Workshop: Mastering the Colours of the Urban Landscape in Winter 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | March 1 (more info)

  • Location: Oakville Art Society, 560 Bronte Road, Oakville

  • Description: Explore the vibrant potential of winter scenes with Bonnie Steinberg in this watercolour workshop. Focused on transparent watercolour, the session emphasizes design, colour, and line while teaching techniques to capture urban landscapes with style. Learn about atmospheric and linear perspective, and master the art of painting snow.

• Free Park Concert - Fiddlestix! 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 1 (more info)

  • Location: Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, Oakville

  • Description: Dance under the winter sky at the first-ever Bronte Ice Notes Concert! Enjoy a free live performance by local favourite band, Fiddlestix. Don’t forget to bundle up and get ready to boogie!

• Money MasterClass - All About Raising Capital & Private Lending 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | March 1,2 (more info)

  • Location: Holiday Inn Oakville, 590 Argus Road, Oakville

  • Description: Learn how to attract lenders, structure deals, and grow your real estate portfolio at this two-day workshop. Ideal for new and seasoned investors, this event covers proven capital-raising strategies and creative financing techniques. Attend in person or virtually, with access to the full recording afterward.

• 2025 Maple Syrup Festival 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM | March 1,2 (more info)

  • Location: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 1219 Burloak Dr, Oakville

  • Description: Celebrate spring at the Maple Syrup Festival! Enjoy guided tours of maple lane, watch fresh maple sugar being made, and visit farm animals. Kids will love the Maple Show sing-along, and wagon rides lead to the pancake house for delicious meals with fresh maple syrup. Fun for the whole family!

• Choir! Choir! Choir! 2:00 PM | March 1 (more info)

  • Location: The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, 130 Navy St, Oakville

  • Description: Join Choir! Choir! Choir! for an epic Queen sing-along experience, “We Will CHOIR! You!” No singing experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to belt out Queen’s biggest anthems. Unleash your inner Freddie Mercury and enjoy a fun, interactive afternoon of music and community!

• Oakville Wedding Expo Winter 2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | March 2 (more info)

  • Location: OE Banquet & Conference Centre, 2245 Speers Rd, Oakville

  • Description: Plan your perfect wedding at the Oakville Wedding Expo! Meet local wedding pros, explore design and décor ideas, and shop the Handmade Market. Over $15,000 in prizes are up for grabs, including $1,000 wedding cash and a honeymoon to the Dominican Republic. Admission is free, or go VIP for extra perks. Everyone is welcome!

• OFFA’s 5th Annual International Women’s Day 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | March 2 (more info)

  • Location: Film.Ca Cinemas, 171 Speers Rd, Oakville

  • Description: Celebrate International Women’s Day with live performances, the screening of Maya and the Wave, and a virtual Q&A with Director Stephanie Johnes. Hosted by Carole Bertuzzi-Luciani, the event supports UWHH: Women United’s Glow Programs. Enjoy an inspiring afternoon of entertainment and community!

• Oscars Watch Party at Film.Ca Cinemas 6:00 PM | March 2 (more info)

  • Location: Film.Ca Cinemas, 171 Speers Rd, Oakville

  • Description: Roll out the red carpet for the 97th Academy Awards at Film.Ca Cinemas’ annual Oscars Watch Party! Come dressed up or casual, snap photos on the red carpet, and enjoy trivia with prizes during commercial breaks. Entry is by $5.00 donation, with all proceeds supporting the Entertainment Community Fund, aiding those impacted by the LA wildfire crisis.

• Meditation Mondays 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | March 31 (more info)

  • Location: Central Branch, Auditorium, 120 Navy Street, Oakville

  • Description: Join us for a morning of guided meditation and breathing exercises, presented by 100 Seeds of Joy in partnership with Sahaja Yoga Meditation Network Halton. This session introduces the subtle energy centers known as chakras and explores the benefits of breathwork for mental and emotional well-being.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading The Oakville Digest! We hope you found this edition helpful and insightful. We’d love to hear your feedback or any event suggestions you’d like us to feature in future issues. Don’t forget to share with friends and family, and we’ll see you Monday!

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