Historical Events

In 1942, a Canadian military troop train operated by Canadian Pacific struck the rear of a local C.P. passenger train killing 39 people and injuring over 200. The incident occurred in heart of Almonte. A memorial to the victims and survivors stands at the corner of Bridge Street and Mill Street. Plaques are marked with the names of the 39 deceased. This accident is known as the second worst railway disaster in the history of Canadian Railroading.

The Ottawa Citizen wrote an article about the Almonte Train Wreck.

The train station in Almonte is no longer in existence. The public library is located where the train station used to be.

Pakenham has had several fires over the years but the fire in 1940 engulfed almost an entire block in Pakenham's principal business street. Five important business houses were demolished by the blaze, which caused total losses estimated at $70,000 at the time. The fire was extremely devastating to the community. 

For more information on this event click here.  

In January 1998, the townships of Ramsay and Pakenham as well as the town of Almonte came together to form the municipality of Mississippi Mills. This historic event created a municipality covering 520km². 

2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the amalgamation. Another reason to celebrate in 2023!

The Almonte Fair has been in existence since at least 1862! This longstanding fair is an annual highlight in Mississippi Mills featuring rides, horses, events and more. It's a time for the community to come together and have fun! 

The Agricultural Hall is used for family parties, weddings/receptions, horticultural judging schools, card games, fund-raising events, pipe band practices etc., as well as housing all the exhibits at the annual agricultural fair. The first agricultural hall and drill shed was built in 1865 for this was the time of the Fenian Raids. In 1868 the roof fell in from the great weight of snow so the present agricultural hall had to be built the next year. It was built to provide space for exhibits of fruits and vegetables, flowers, grain, baking, canning, sewing and children’s exhibits, as well as commercial displays and refreshment counter and tables.

The cost of the Agricultural hall was $1500 in 1869 and was a structure 100 feet long by 60 feet wide. The timber frame construction with wooden pins  can be seen throughout the building.Over time several changes have taken place to the halls. The current structure had the third story removed in the early 1900s.

The oldest covered grandstand in Canada resides here, built in 1868, the grandstand has been used annually from May to October for various events and can seat approximately 650 people. Over the years spectators have used this facility to watch horse races, judging of livestock classes, football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, fireman’s competitions and demolition derbies.

For more information about the Almonte Fair visit their website.

Light Up the Night is a wintry open-air concert featuring fabulous guests and a breathtaking display of fireworks. Thousands of people from the Mississippi Mills area and beyond fill the main street of Almonte for one of the largest and most magical outdoor Christmas shows in Canada. 

It always promises a festive and musical night in the quaint and Christmassy town of Almonte. The young and young at heart gather to laugh and sing along. Children of all ages will watch in amazement as the The Snow Queen and her Twinkle Fairies wave their magic wands and bring the jolliest Christmas elf of them all... SANTA CLAUS down to the stage!

From 2005 until 2016, the Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival brought some of the best and most innovative puppetry from around the world to the streets of Almonte. 

Puppets Up! was started in 2004 by a group of fun people in Almonte (inspired and led by Noreen Young, the visionary puppet creator behind “Hi Diddle Day” and “Under The Umbrella Tree”) who wanted to entertain and inform people about the varied and vibrant art of puppetry, something common to virtually all cultures. During its initial run, the festival drew crowds from across the country and around the world to see puppeteers and street formers perform in intimate theatres and against the backdrop of Almonte’s historic main street.

In 2022 Puppets Up! came back and drew puppeteers from across the world and wowed audiences once again. We are delighted that they have been able to return and carry on the amazing shows!