Access Awareness Week 2026 Proclamation and Flag Raising
Celebrate Access Awareness Week with us !
Strait Area, Cape Breton: What's On June 1–7, 2026
June arrives in the Strait Area with a burst of creative energy: Seaside Studio throws open its doors on the Port Hawkesbury waterfront, and the twentieth annual student art show brings fresh talent to the J. Franklin Wright Art Gallery all week long.
🎵 Live this week
Scholarships and the Richmond County Community Champion Awards Celebration
This event celebrates Access Awareness Week and recognizes Richmond County Community Champions through a scholarships and awards ceremony in 2026. Check the source for specific dates, times, and location details.
CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF SEASIDE STUDIO ON THE PORT HAWKESBURY WATERFRONT
A new art studio and gallery opens June 1-6 on the Port Hawkesbury waterfront, hosted by painter Dana Ryan. The week-long opening celebration features local artists and musicians doing live demonstrations daily, with visitors welcome 9AM-9PM. Stop by to meet the creators and enter for a chance to win a signed print.
STRAIT AREA EDUCATION RECREATION CENTRE ART SHOW
This annual student art show features work from Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre students and is hosted at the J. Franklin Wright Art Gallery.
Intercultural Training
Celebrate Access Awareness Week with us !
CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF SEASIDE STUDIO ON THE PORT HAWKESBURY WATERFRONT
A new art studio and gallery opens June 1-6 on the Port Hawkesbury waterfront, hosted by painter Dana Ryan. The week-long opening celebration features local artists and musicians doing live demonstrations daily, with visitors welcome 9AM-9PM. Stop by to meet the creators and enter for a chance to win a signed print.
STRAIT AREA EDUCATION RECREATION CENTRE ART SHOW
This annual student art show features work from Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre students and is hosted at the J. Franklin Wright Art Gallery.
Morning Coffee - St George’s Channel Hall
Join us for your morning cup of coffee at the St George’s Channel Hall (3363 W Bay Hwy, St. Peter's, NS)
📍 Suggested itinerary
Monday morning sets a civic and celebratory tone across the Strait Area. At 10:00 a.m., the Access Awareness Week 2026 Proclamation and Flag Raising marks the official start of a week-long commitment to inclusive communities. Half an hour later, the Scholarships and the Richmond County Community Champion Awards Celebration gathers residents to recognise the volunteers and young scholars who keep Richmond County thriving.
By noon on Monday, the energy shifts to the creative with the grand opening of Seaside Studio on the Port Hawkesbury waterfront. Live demonstrations from local artists continue throughout the week at 1 Water St, making it easy to drop in on Tuesday as well for a second look at new work. Just a short drive away, the Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre Art Show opens Monday afternoon at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, where the J. Franklin Wright Art Gallery hosts its twentieth annual showcase of student art — a milestone worth seeing on both Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday also brings Intercultural Training as part of Access Awareness Week — a timely programme for those interested in building more connected communities across Cape Breton. After an afternoon at the gallery, settle in at Miller's Seafood & Chophouse for fresh local seafood and steaks on their summer patio overlooking the Strait, or head to Papa's Pub and Eatery for craft pizzas and an extensive wine list in Port Hawkesbury's warm pub atmosphere.
Wednesday morning offers a slower pace: the Morning Coffee at St. George's Channel Hall in St. Peter's is a welcoming community gathering that doubles as a launching pad for a day of outdoor exploration. From St. Peter's, the Ceilidh Coastal Trail stretches 22 km along the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail from the Canso Canal toward Long Point — ideal for a half-day walk with the Strait glittering to the north. Afterwards, cruise the Bras d'Or with Bras d'Or Lake Boat Tours, launching from St. Peter's onto the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve waters.
For those staying the week, Dundee Resort & Golf Club in West Bay offers a championship golf course and a lakeside adventure centre with kayaking and paddle boats — a fine base for exploring the Isle Madame side of the Strait. Lennox Passage Provincial Park on the north shore of Isle Madame provides a picnic area with easy access to the water, while the Jerome Point Lighthouse — originally constructed in 1883 — rewards a short detour with a glimpse of the region's maritime history. Campers will find 53 sites, hiking trails, and saltwater beach access at Battery Provincial Park Campground near the St. Peter's Canal, with views stretching across St. Peter's Bay.
🥾 Worth the drive
Ceilidh Coastal Trail (part of Celtic Shores Coastal Trail)
This 22-km trail runs from the Canso Canal to Chisholm's Brook along the eastern shore, with surfaces ranging from gravel to hard-packed beach. Cell service is available, and dogs are permitted on leash. The route passes through tide-washed sections, abandoned rail bed, and coastal views with interpretive panels about local history and culture.
Lennox Passage Provincial Park
Located on the North Shore of Isle Madame, this provincial park has a saltwater beach, picnic areas, and 2 km of walking trails. An operating lighthouse is open to visitors. Swimming, kayaking, and biking are available in summer; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible in winter, though the park is unserviced then and parking is at the gate only.
Jerome Point Lighthouse
This square wooden lighthouse was built in 1883 and rebuilt in 1956 without its original attached dwelling. It marks the entrance to St. Peter's Canal National Historic Site, where tidal locks connect the Atlantic Ocean to Bras d'Or Lake. The lighthouse sits at Battery Provincial Park on Highway 4 near the St. Peter's swing bridge.
Ghost Beach
A 7.5 km crushed stone and natural surface trail along the Strait of Canso with interpretive panels about the historic Inverness and Richmond Railway (1901-1980s). The narrow route between the causeway and water can feel exposed when wind and waves are heavy. Dogs are permitted off-leash.
🍽️ Where to eat & stay
Miller’s Seafood & Chophouse
Casual dining with a professional touch. Adjoining Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury, Miller’s offers a casual relaxed atmosphere, with summertime patio dining. Our menu features a variety of local flavours. Start with a delicious seafood appetizer, such as our homemade seafood chowder or crab cakes. Then choose from the wide variety of dishes on our main menu – from steaks and ribs to salmon and mussels – or opt for the nightly feature, carefully chosen and prepared by our culinary team. Port Hawkesbury is a perfect base from which to start your Cape Breton vacation, and Miller’s offers meals for every taste along with the professional, friendly service you will come to expect in Nova Scotia.
Bras d'Or Lake Boat Tours
Cruise the UNESCO-designated Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere from the historic St. Peter's Canal. A relaxed, narrated tour through one of the largest inland seas in North America, with eagles, seals, and history at every turn.
What to expect
- Covered and open-air seating on a stable mid-size tour boat
- Guide commentary on the canal, lock, and Mi'kmaq history of the lake
- Snacks and drinks usually available on board
- Family-friendly pace — kids stay engaged
Don't miss
- Watching the lock cycle as you enter or leave the canal
- Bald eagles patrolling the shoreline — almost guaranteed
- The view back toward Battery Provincial Park
Good to know
- Seasonal operation, typically June through early October
- Reservations recommended in summer
- Restrooms on board; bring sunscreen and a windbreaker
- Free parking near the canal
Pair it with
- A walk across the historic St. Peter's Canal lock
- The Nicolas Denys Museum in town
- A stop at Battery Provincial Park for a swim and picnic
Dundee Resort & Golf Club
Dundee Resort & Golf Club is located in West Bay, Cape Breton Island where you are surrounded by rich forests, lush lawns, a championship golf course and the brilliant Bras d’Or Lakes. Spend the day golfing at our world-class course or visit our onsite Lakeside Adventure Centre and enjoy paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, tennis, volleyball and beach swimming. We are just a short drive from the legendary Cabot Trail and the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a preserved and recreated French fortification dating back 300 years. Our accommodations include 61 hotel rooms (Queen, King) with balcony (view of golf course or the Bras d’Or Lakes), some with fireplace or jacuzzi; 38 one- and two-bedroom cottage units (Twin, Double; light housekeeping facilities) with a large deck, lake view; and all with 4-piece bath. No cribs; however, we do have playpens. Cots are available for rooms in the hotel only. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi (in hotel rooms only). Enjoy complimentary scheduled summer recreation activities (July – August) including canoeing and kayaking from our lakeside adventure centre. Guest features include dining room and pub; pro shop; banquet and conference facilities; 18-hole golf course; indoor and outdoor pools; sauna; walking trail; canoe, kayak, and paddleboats; and barbecues. Small pets are permitted in the cottages at a minimal charge. Check out our golf, family and all-inclusive packages! All major credit cards are accepted.
Battery Provincial Park Campground
Battery Provincial Park is situated on a hillside overlooking St. Peter’s Bay adjacent to the St. Peter’s Canal National Historic Site. The park entrance is on the east side of the bridge at the canal. Battery features a small saltwater beach (unsupervised), an interpretive display, picnic area with ocean frontage, and 3.4 km / 2.1 mi of hiking trails. Jerome Point Lighthouse is located on the entrance road to Battery Provincial Park. Nearby: Point Michaud Beach Provincial Park, Nicolas Denys Museum (St. Peters), and LeNoir Forge Museum (Arichat). Campground accommodations include: 53 open and wooded overnight sites (4 with electrical service, 3 with electrical and water, 46 unserviced). Park amenities include: flush toilets, showers, disposal station, fire grills, wood, and ice. Boat launch nearby. Wireless Internet access available at the administration building. This is a Campground Host park. Leashed pets permitted. Detailed Information: Outdoor activities: Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, SnowshoeingDirections: On east side of Canal Bridge.
Papa’s Pub and Eatery
Our restaurant offers a unique dining experience that will leave your taste buds tantalized. Our cuisine is inspired by the best of both worlds – traditional Canadian dishes with a modern flare. Our cuisine is sure to leave you wanting more. Our chefs have crafted a unique menu that includes everything from Starters, Main Course to Dessert. Our wine list is extensive and includes both local and international wines. Our Papa’s Pub and Pizzeria is located in a beautiful town of Port Hawkesbury. Our wait staff is attentive and polite and our atmosphere is warm and inviting. We look forward to serving you and making your dining experience a memorable one.
Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury
4-star property in Port Hawkesbury with a guest rating of 4.2/10 (927 reviews).
Amenities include Wheelchair accessible, Conference space, Cross-country skiing nearby, Hiking/biking trails nearby, Breakfast available (surcharge), Laundry facilities, Garden, Free newspapers in lobby.
Bookable directly through CapeBretonFirst.
Whether the draw is fresh gallery work on the waterfront, a community ceremony worth witnessing, or a long morning walk along the Ceilidh Coastal Trail, the Strait Area delivers a full and unhurried week this June — come and settle in for a few days.