Programs and Events
The following Programs and Events are hosted annually by the Town of Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture Department:
Recreation Programs:
- Art Acquisition Program
- Spring Programs
- Summer Programs
- Fall Programs
- Winter Programs
- Equipment Loans Program
- King St Community Gardens
Events:
- Winter Long John Festival
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Volunteer Awards
- VP Challenge
- Canada Parks Day Celebration
- Movie Nights in Victoria Park
- Sunday in the Park Concert Series
- EMBRACE Truro Festival
- New Year's Eve on the Town
Art Acquisition Program
The Town of Truro launched its Art Acquisition Program in 2006 in an effort to create and maintain a collection of visual art which reflects the unique historic and artistic development of Truro. Visual artists - be they painters, sculptors, carvers, potters, rug hookers, quilters, photographers and others - are invited to submit an application to display their works to the public at a gallery showing in April each year. One artist will have his or her work selected to be added to the town’s permanent art collection.
pdf Art Acquisition Application 2020 (243 KB) - POSTPONED
Past Winners:
2007: "Victoria Park" by Deanna A. Boucher 2008: "Can't You Hear the Whistle Blow" by Lorinda Antonello Regan
2009: “Spring Garden” by Holly Lennox
2010: “Willena Beatrice Jones” by Janice Guinan 2011: “View Toward Onslow” by Richard Wenzel
2012: “The First Obstacle” by Jo-Ann Shaw
2013: “Winter Light” by Pamela Swainson
2014: “Old Truro Train Station (circa 1928)” by Diane Redden
2015: “Call to Duty” by Janice Stewart and "Mister Stanfield" by Anna Fullerton
2016: “Dusk on Esplanade” by Ron Hazell
2017: “Moon over Marsh” by Christene Sandeson and “A Canada Story” by Alison Fielding
2018: "First United Church" by Jen Power
2019: "Come Together" by Rob MacCormack and Pamela Sutherland
Spring Programs
TBA - Check back soon!
Summer Programs
Summer Kickoff Activity Guide
The Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture Department has created this activity guide that will help you kickoff Summer by getting outside, being active and celebrating.
pdf Summer Kickoff Activity Guide (1.18 MB)
Summer Preschool Camp
Preschool Camps - Games, crafts, songs, and special themes will give your preschooler lots of adventures. Our well-trained leaders organize imaginative and interesting activities where learning and socialization are enhanced. All classes are half days (8:30am-12:00pm), and will be held at the Douglas St Recreation Centre. For children who are 3-5 years old. The total cost is $15.00 per day or $60.00 for the full week. One week notice for cancellations to allow other children to attend camp.*Children must be toilet trained to attend this camp.*
Week 1: July 12-16 - Blast off Into Summer
Week 2: July 19-23 - Nature Nuts
Week 3: July 26-30 - Water Week
Week 4: Aug 3-6 - Colour Explosion
Week 5: Aug 9-13 - Jurassic Journey
Week 6: Aug 16-20 - Super Hereos
Pre-Registration Required, to register: CLICK HERE or contact .
Summer Pop Up Events
Join us for some spur of the moment ALL AGES fun! Check back for new events each week.
JULY
- July 13 - 1:30-4:00pm - Chalk Art at Victoria Park.
- July 15 - 1:30-4:00pm - Soccer at Tim Hortons Field.
- July 20 - 1:30-4:00pm - Ball Hockey at Colchester Legion Stadium.
- July 22 - 1:30-4:00pm - Soccer at Tim Hortons Field.
- July 24 - 9:00am-1:00pm - Yard Games at Civic Square.
- July 27 - 1:30-4:00pm - Ball Hockey at Colchester Legion Stadium.
- July 29 - 1:30-4:00pm - SoccerBaseball at Victoria Park Ball Field.
AUGUST
- Aug 3 - 1:30-4:00pm - Ball Hockey at Colchester Legion Stadium.
- Aug 5 - 1:30-2:30pm - Yoga in the Park at Kiwanis Pond.
- Aug 7 - 1:30-2:30pm - Guided Hike at Victoria Park.
- Aug 10 - 1:30-4:00pm - Ball Hockey at Colchester Legion Stadium
- Aug 10 - 7:00-8:00pm - Pound Class at Civic Square.
- Aug 12 - 1:30-2:30pm - Yoga in the Park at Kiwanis Pond.
- Aug 12 - 7:00-8:00pm - SoccerBaseball at Victoria Park Ball Field.
- Aug 14 - 9:00am-1:00pm - Yard Games at Civic Square.
- Aug 17 - 7:00-8:00pm - Zumba Class at Civic Square.
- Aug 21 - 9:00am-1:00pm - Yard Games at Civic Square.
Summer Drop in Camps
We are bringing back parent-free, child-led outdoor activities with our Summer Drop-in Camps. We hire staff that bring supervised, unstructured play to various locations around town. Parents can be fearful of allowing their children to go play unsupervised; we want to alleviate that concern by having staff on site to supervise. Staff show up with a bunch of equipment and the children lead the way.
Join us:
- Monday's - 1:30-4:00pm at Stan "Chook" Maxwell Park.
- Wednesday's - 1:30-4:00pm at the "CEC Cages" behind the Cougar Dome.
- Friday's - 1:30-4:00pm at the Victoria Park Bandshell.
Pre-Registration required, To register:contact .
Summer Sportball
All classes will be held on the field at the Douglas St Recreation Centre. This session will run one day per week, for eight weeks (4 wks soccer, 4 wks t-ball). This eight class session will be $176.00 tax incl. This price includes a soccer ball, jersey, and socks. The only thing you have to provide is a ball glove for the t-ball classes.
Sunday's: July 4, 11, 18, 25, Aug 8, 15, 22, 29.
SUN: AGE: 2-3yrs, 10:00-10:45am
SUN: AGE: 3-5yrs, 11:00-12:00pm
SUN: AGE: 3-5yrs, 5:30-6:30pm
SUN: AGE: 6-8yrs, 6:45-7:45pm
Monday' s: July 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug 9, 16, 23, 30.
MON: AGE: 2-3yrs, 5:15-6:00pm
MON: AGE: 3-5yrs, 6:15-7:15pm
Wednesday's: July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug 11, 18, 25, Sep 1.
WED: AGE: 2-3yrs, 4:30-5:15pm
WED: AGE: 3-5yrs, 5:30-6:30pm
WED: AGE: 6-8yrs, 6:45-7:45pm
Pre-registration required, click HERE.
Fall Programs
TBA - We are still in the planning stages, check back soon!
Fall Sportball Speed Pass Program
This is our condensed soccer & t-ball program, where children attend two days per week to run 8 classes in a 4 week period starting Sept 12th. The schedule will be Sunday & Wednesday evenings:
Class Schedule
AGE 2-3yrs: 4:15-5:00pm (Parent & child)
AGE 3-5yrs, 5:15-6:00pm
AGE 6-8yrs, 6:30-7:30pm
Dates
Week 1: Sept 12 (Sun) & Sept 15 (Wed)
Week 2: Sept 19 (Sun) & Sept 22 (Wed)
Week 3: Sept 26 (Sun) & Sept 29 (Wed)
Week 4: Oct 3 (Sun) & Oct 6 (Wed)
To register, click HERE. To purchase equipment, click HERE.
Winter Programs
TBA - Check back soon!
Funding Opportunities:
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KidSport
KidSport is a national children's program that helps kids overcome the financial barriers preventing or limiting their participation in organized sport Managed and operated in Nova Scotia by Sport Nova Scotia since 1994, KidSport Nova Scotia has assisted over 22,000 children totalling over $5 Million. KidSport Nova Scotia provides funding of up to $300/year/child for sport registration and/or equipment.
You can apply online at KidSport or in person at:
Colchester Recreation Services
1 Church St, Truro, NS B2N 3Z5
P: 902.897.3181
F: 902.843.4065
Email:
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Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a registered charity (#1379 29 451 RR0002) dedicated to removing financial barriers so kids across Canada have the opportunity to get off the sidelines and get into the game.
Jumpstart’s core purpose is to enrich the lives of kids (from 4 to 18) in need through sports and physical activity. We assist with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation Jumpstart helps kids explore a range of options by supporting over 70 different activities. In addition to enabling participation in high-profile sports like hockey, soccer and swimming, Jumpstart helps kids take dance lessons and martial arts classes, play ringette or take part in several dozen other activities. What kids do is up to them; we’re here to help them do it.
You can apply online at Jump Start or in person at:
Equipment Loans Program
Winter Equipment
To help make play and healthy living accessible to everyone, we are proud to offer cross country skis and snowshoes to help you get out and get active! The equipment is available to borrow—completely free of charge.
*Classic Cross Country Skis: We have skis, boots, and poles that will fit adults as well as children as small as 60lbs.
*Skate Skis: We have a very limited quantity of skis and boots.
*Snowshoes: We have a limited quantity ranging from children's to adult size.
* Pick up/Return
- Pickup Thursday's between 9:00am-4:00 pm, Return Monday's between 9:00am-4:00pm
- Pickup Friday's between 9:00am-4:00 pm, Return Tuesday's between 9:00am-4:00pm
We also have the following equipment available. Please contact 902-893-6078 for more information.
- Sledges: We have sizes ranging from children's to adult.
- Snowcoaches: One size fits most.
- Skates: We have sizes ranging from children's to adult, available to be borrowed from the Colchester-East Hants Public LibrarySummer Equipment
Summer Equipment
To help make play and healthy living accessible to everyone, we are proud to offer equipment to help you get out and get active! The equipment is available to borrow—completely free of charge. We have the following equipment available:
- Washer Toss
- Bocce Ball
- Yard Jenga
- Lawn Checkers
- Lawn Chess
- Parachute
- Small Pylons
- Flag Rugby
- Ladder Ball
- Giant Badminton Rackets x 2
- Frisbees
- Flying Ring Golf
Adaptive Recreation Equipment
The Adaptive Recreation Equipment Loan Program is a resource for those who experience physical challenges and/or individuals who would benefit from its use. This equipment provides opportunities to borrow a variety of equipment to experience new leisure pursuits. If you are interested in borrowing a piece of equipment for the first time, we recommend that you contact Recreation Therapy – Pediatric Rehabilitation at the IWK Health Centre for an initial assessment at (902) 470-3840. We have the following equipment available:
- Hippocampe (child and adult)
- Duet-Cycle
- Sledges
- Snowcoaches
- Tomato Seats
- Skate Helper Skate Aids (available while using Colchester Legion Stadium)
King St Community Gardens
The Town of Truro's Parks, Recreation and Culture, Engineering and Public Works Departments, as well as the Truro Tree Committee have worked hand in hand to produce fifty community garden boxes at the King Street Community Garden. The site also offers large plantings of rhubarb, high bush blueberries, arctic kiwi vine and concord grapes as well as three each of pear, plum and peach trees. For more information click here
Winter Long John Festival
As COVID – 19 regulations did not allow us to host our typical Truro Winter Long John Festival events and activities, we took the month of February to challenge residents and their households to get out and get active to help with their physical and mental health in 2021.
Easter Egg Hunt
Hundreds of excited children converge on Victoria Park each year to participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Volunteer Awards
Do you know someone who loves to volunteer? Did you know that the Town and the County partner to celebrate the volunteers in our community. All volunteers and their nominators are invited to attend our ceremony.
To nominate someone, please complete the nomination form and submit it to the Town of Truro or the County of Colchester. The individual's/ groups volunteer commitment can be in any field, i.e. hospital service, schools, library board, coach, recreation, service clubs, etc.
pdf 2021 Volunteer Awards Nomination Form (132 KB)
VP Challenge
We had an amazing 10 year run, but the 5K and 10K portions of the VP Challenge will not occer in 2020. Please see Canada Parks Day Celebration, for more information on the Children's Race. If you are looking to try a new challenge why not try the Skyler Blackie Fit to Be a Hero Challenge?
The Skyler Blackie Fit to Be a Hero Challenge
The Skyler Blackie Fit to Be a Hero Challenge is a chip timed 5 kilometre adventure race with challenging obstacles (stairs, wall, tires, hill, and lots more). The challenge will take place in picturesque Victoria Park each year and incorporates the historic landscape, including Jacob's Ladder. For more info, click here.
Canada Parks Day Celebration
In honour of Canada Parks Day and having such a beautiful park in the heart of town, Truro Parks Recreation and Culture hosts a Canada Parks Day Celebration each year in Victoria Park. On the 3rd Saturday of July each year. Stay tuned for more information.
Movie Nights in Victoria Park
Each summer, Truro Parks Recreation and Culture hosts mid-summer Movie Nights in Victoria Park. A popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, the movies are shown on a 20 foot screen at the park's J. Arch Fraser bandshell. Hundreds of people gather each year to take in classic, new and family friendly movies, while enjoying complimentary popcorn and fresh summer air. Movies start at 9:00pm, bring your own chair. Rain location: Douglas St. Recreation Centre.
Victoria Park Summer Concert Series
For ten years, hundreds of people have gathered at the J. Arch Fraser bandshell to enjoy the Sunday in the Park Concert Series, presented by Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture. Each Sunday from July until Labour Day weekend in September, people of all ages enjoy live entertainment from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. There are special concerts scheduled for Labour Day weekend each summer as well.
EMBRACE Truro Festival
EMBRACE Truro - a celebration of Truro's diversity and culture - is a free morning of entertainment and family-friendly activities that takes place each year in Civic Square. EMBRACE, which stands for ‘Everyone Makes a Better, Respectful, Accepting, Creative Environment’, features live performances, demonstrations and activities for the whole family and is sponsored by the Town of Truro’s Diversity Advisory Committee. 
Please note: The Town of Truro has made the difficult decision to cancel the Embrace Festival scheduled for 2020. Stay tuned for updates on all the exciting ways we plan on celebrating all cultures and traditions throughout the year via social media, cultural displays throughout the Town, and virtual presentations. We look forward to celebrating the Embrace Festival in 2021 with everyone!
We remain committed to ensuring the safety for all participants, staff and families involved in our events. We are following the advice of Public Health Officials; New Year's Eve on the Town is cancelled.
New Year's Eve on the Town
We remain committed to ensuring the safety for all participants, staff and families involved in our events. We are following the advice of Public Health Officials; therefore New Year's Eve on the Town is cancelled.
The Town of Truro department of Parks, Recreation and Culture hosts an annual New Year's Eve celebration: New Year's Eve on the Town! With family friendly events scheduled at Douglas Street Recreation Centre in the afternoon, followed by an evening skate and live entertainment at the Colchester Legion Stadium, there is something for everyone as Truro rings in the new year each year. The Town of Truro also hosts a New Year’s Day Levee each year in Council Chambers. All events are free of charge and family friendly.