Family 50-Fest Coming on Sept. 27 to Five Counties in Peterborough
PETERBOROUGH, ON (Sept. 9, 2025) – What do you call a celebration of 50 years of caring for children and youth with developmental, physical, and communication needs?
At Five Counties Children’s Centre, it’s called Family 50-Fest and it’s coming to Peterborough on Sept. 27 – the last Saturday of the month. The free, fun, family-friendly event is billed as a community celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the children’s treatment centre being established in 1975.
“Five Counties has so much to celebrate as we mark our golden age of providing life-changing treatment for children and their families in our region,” says CEO Scott Pepin. “And that’s what Family 50-Fest is all about – reflecting and celebrating on the Centre’s five decades of service to our communities.”
Family 50-Fest runs on Saturday, September 27, from 10 am to 1 pm, at its location (872 Dutton Rd.) in Peterborough. Family 50-Fest will include kids’ activities, petting zoo, circus performers, touch a police cruiser, games, facepainting, story time, food, music and more. An open house/tour of Five Counties site in Peterborough will be available, as will a display of historical articles and items from five decades of caring for kids. Local dignitaries have also been invited to speak.
Current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers and community members are invited to attend Family 50-Fest in Peterborough. Space is limited, so confirm your attendance by pre-registering online for the event, emailing 50@fivecounties.on.ca, or calling 1-888-779-9916, ext. 200.
Earlier this year, the Centre hosted events at its sites in Cobourg, Campbellford and Lindsay as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025. An event is also planned for Minden next spring.
Providing care close to home for children and youth was the main motivator for establishing a “children’s care centre” in this region in the early 1970s. Rotary Clubs from Peterborough, Lindsay, Minden, Haliburton and elsewhere came together to spearhead the project. With the help of local leaders and families of children with disabilities, they were able to convince the Ontario government to support the construction of Five Counties Children’s Centre, which opened its doors in Peterborough in 1975.
Over the next five decades, Five Counties added more staff, services, sites and spaces to better support kids and youth in Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County.
From that first year serving 126 kids/clients, the Centre has expanded – and in the past year alone, supported 6,208 kids/clients across the region.
“While the numbers have changed, our commitment to enhancing children’s independence, well-being and quality of life has remained a constant for 50 years,” Pepin adds.
Category: General News