Headline News
Rockhound Gemboree cancelled for second year
March 16, 2021
By Kristena Schutt-Moore
The Town of Bancroft has announced that the Rockhound Gemboree will be cancelled this year due to COVID-19. It is unknown if or when the provincial government will relax physical distancing measures or when large gatherings will be permitted.
The Gemboree has been an annual event for the past 57 years and has brought gem and mineral enthusiasts from around the world to collect some of the specimens that make Bancroft the mineral capital of Canada. The show has grown to not only have the market and vendors but also include mineral tours around Bancroft and surrounding townships, but also presentations from Canada’s best mineral, fossil and gem experts.
This will the second year that the town has cancelled the Gemboree due to COVID-19. However in the town’s press release they said that they were, “committed to growing the Mineral Capital of Canada brand and ensuring that the Rockhound Gemboree continues as a premier event for Bancroft and an internationally renowned gem and mineral show.”
The town says they are looking forward to carrying on the legacy of the Rockhound Gemboree, and is disappointed that it has again been affected by COVID-19. The town is anticipating a “strong and re-energized event” when it is safe for its return.
Headline News
Brighten the Night Parade another yuletide success
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Maynooth’s Brighten the Night parade returned Dec. 14, with a Christmas market at Emond Hall in the Hastings ...
Parking becomes more limited in downtown Bancroft
By Bill Kilpatrick For those who struggle to find parking in downtown Bancroft, things have now gotten worse. On or around Dec. 1, Bill Hawley, ...
Bancroft Legion donates $7,000 to local organizations
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Bancroft Legion, branch 181 handed out cheques worth $7,000 on Dec. 13 to various worthy local organizations ...
Bancroft Santa Claus Parade a festive success
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Bancroft’s Santa Claus Parade was another festive success, with 33 units (floats and walkers) overall participating and hundreds ...
Whitney Santa Claus parade will go ahead on Dec. 15
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter This year, “the cutest little Santa Claus Parade that you’ve ever seen” is happening after all, after some ...
Remembering the École Polytechnique shooting
By Bill Kilpatrick December 6 marked the 35 anniversary the École Polytechnique shooting in Montreal. On that day in 1989 a man, armed with guns ...
Thank you for the music
By Bill Kilpatrick The 2024 North Hastings High School Christmas concert, called ‘Twas a month before Christmas, was held at the Bancroft Village Playhouse on ...
Hospice North Hastings Lights of Love Memorial exceeds expectations
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Hospice North Hastings held its first annual Lights of Love Memorial on Nov. 29 at their Hospice house ...
Little Blue Cabins are not emergency houses
By Bill Kilpatrick Despite Kevin Taylor’s best efforts to get the word out it seems that people are still not fully understanding what exactly the ...
Tree lighting in Whitney rings in the festive season
By Michael Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Back for its second year after a long hiatus, the tree lighting in Whitney was back on Nov. ...
