The Fresh Water Summit Festival celebrates this nationally significant body of water and also highlights the value of fresh water to our communities and lives and the importance of preserving this natural resource. The event, which runs from June 17 to 19, 2016, is a fitting kick-off to the summer season. So come this weekend. The waters of Balsam Lake await, along with Coboconk’s warm hospitality.

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 17, 2016: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

• Opening ceremonies at the wharf
• Great food and music!
• Live music by Loose Connections and solo saxophonist Matt James
• The evening event is licensed
• You can purchase tickets for $7.50 at the Friday evening event

Saturday, June 18, 2016: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• Test out kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from Boatwerks! Please contact the Chamber of Commerce to register at chamber@coboconknorland.ca. And please bring your gear!
• Take in the Samuel de Champlain canoe and kayak races
• Enjoy the pancake breakfast at Lions Hall
• Watch the water ski show at 1:00 p.m.
• Learn to fish!
• Bring your wee ones to the kids’ zone which features a little zoo, bouncy castles, balloon twisters, face painters, children’s crafts, and more!
• Listen as the hosts announce the winners of the school contest “What Does Fresh Water Mean to Me?” at 11:00 a.m. They will also present the prizes
• Take part in new hands-on activities about water ecology
• Meet local authors who will gather at a table (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Tour artist and artisan booths
• Peruse community displays
• Watch the baseball tournament at Legion Park
• Enjoy refreshments at Lions Park
• Make time for a horse and buggy ride

Sunday, June 19, 2016: 11:00 a.m.

• Enjoy the outdoor picnic and multi-faith worship service at Lions Park, which will celebrate the role of water in our lives

More about the Fresh Water Summit

In the serene waters of Balsam Lake, which forms part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, lies Canada's highest body of fresh water from which one can circumnavigate the world. Whether you travel west toward Lake Simcoe or east to Cameron Lake, both pathways are downstream from Balsam Lake. While there are two higher global navigable rivers, Balsam Lake is the only spot that gives the skipper the following choices: go east to the Atlantic Ocean; west to the Pacific Ocean; south to the Caribbean Sea or north to the Arctic Ocean. What makes this unique is the fact that from this point, one can circumnavigate the world, by seaworthy vessel, without ever having to travel on land. After the Coon Rapids Dam, Mississippi River in Upper Mississippi (which is considered the limit of commercial navigation) and the Danube River where it connects with the Rhine Main Danube Canal in Kelheim Bavaria, Germany, the next highest point of fresh water in the world is Balsam Lake in the Kawartha Lakes. In light of the significance of this hydrologic feature in the Kawartha Lakes, there is now a permanent interactive sign and photo opportunity on the municipal dock on Balsam Lake in Coboconk, found at coordinates N 44 39.476N -78 47.815W. There is a large outline of a boat that people can stand in front of to have their pictures taken - it’s a fun, family-friendly attraction.