The City of Thunder Bay Arts & Heritage Awards made their return last night onstage at Magnus Theatre, where nominees and the public were invited to honour the artistic talent, dedication, and achievements across artistic disciplines.

And it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to reflect. On October 16, 1985—40 years ago—the TBCA opened its doors, unlocking a world of potential for the region. To commemorate this milestone anniversary, the TBCA hosted a special event to launch their 40th season that paid homage to its roots.

Hear ye, hear ye! This October 11 and 12, all fair ladies and lords are called to wander through the gates of Thunder Bay’s first ever Renaissance faire at the Murillo Fairgrounds from 10 am to 7 pm each day. The event is hosted by the Oliver Agricultural Society and a team of volunteers, and fairgoers are encouraged to don their best medieval capes, crowns, and chainmail for the most mystical of weekends. 

It’s official, the fall season is here in all of its pumpkin-spiced, red-leaved, and crisp-aired glory. Whether you’re ready for all things autumn or need a little help letting go of summer, we’ve compiled nine ways to help you celebrate the season. 

If you’ve walked the downtown strip on Red River Road at all in the past couple of weeks, you would have certainly noticed the newly refurbished exterior of the King’s Block building thanks to the freshly exposed original facade and sophisticated black paint with gold accents. You probably also noticed that brand new sign on the right side of the building for Bloom Bar + Lounge, now open and ready to party. 

Since that first issue, The Walleye has published nearly 200 issues shining a light on all the remarkable people who make Thunder Bay a special place to live. In honour of this milestone anniversary, we’re turning the spotlight on 15 longtime contributors whose voices, passion, and creativity have played an integral role in shaping the magazine.

Ever since it began in 2010, Culture Days has attracted millions of people every year to celebrate all things arts and culture at free performances, workshops, and markets across Canada. Each province and territory has its own kick-off event and this year, Thunder Bay has been chosen to get Ontario’s party started.

The XCM Canadian Championships took over Kinsmen Park once again this past weekend for back to back days of cross country marathon madness thanks to hosts Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club.

The XTERRA Sleeping Giant race showcases the stunning outdoor adventure opportunities in Thunder Bay and its surrounding areas. Situated along the north shore of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay features breathtaking boreal forests, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic cliffs, making it an outdoor sports paradise.

Just like Freddie Mercury once sang, bicycle races are coming your way. The XCM Canadian Championships are back and taking over Kinsmen Park once again.

This past weekend, the vibes were unmatched at the inaugural Afro Vibe Fest, a two-day festival celebrating Afro-centric culture, music, and arts in Thunder Bay with live stage performances, cultural demonstrations, kids’ activities, local food vendors, and more.

For Sean Trevisanutto, co-owner and president of Creekside Nursery & Garden Centre, gardening and landscaping isn’t just a business, it’s a family legacy rooted in generations of green thumbs.

Todd Miller’s connection to Silver Islet runs deep; he is a fifth-generation resident descended from the original settlers, James and Helen Cross, who arrived in 1871. His upbringing was steeped in the rich history of the area, igniting a lifelong passion for shipwrecks and lighthouses. This fascination laid the foundation for his unintentional future as a historian, lecturing to guests aboard the Great Lakes cruises for Viking cruise ships.

Mackenzie Angeconeb of Lac Seul First Nation has fulfilled her childhood dream of being a  published author. The Fragments that Remain is Angeconeb’s first book, a young adult novel following the story of brother and sister Ally and Andy, with one sibling’s death leaving a life-altering impact on the other.

Thunder Bay’s beloved burger-eating fundraiser for the local United Way, Novemburger, will be getting a brand new name ahead of this year’s campaign. On May 30, Brulé, alongside the fundraiser’s chef de mission Erika Mikkola, unveiled that the fundraiser will now be known as the Ultimate Burger Battle. 

Say “hello”—or rather, say “bonjour”—to the new and improved Festival BONJOUR, formally known as Franco Festival. Since its inception almost 20 years ago, the event has evolved greatly, from a one-day gathering every two years to an annual three-day extravaganza. What could top that? This year, from June 5 to 7, Festival BONJOUR is inviting you to experience even more than ever, proving their name change represents more than meets the eye.

This past weekend, the Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW) hosted its 27th annual LitFest at Goods & Co. The two-day event concluded with the NOWW Awards Gala on May 17, where Marianne Jones and Michael Sobota, two influential local writers, were celebrated for their significant contributions and support to literature in the region.

What started as a sidewalk sale in 2013 has grown into a neighbourhood-wide festival attracting thousands of attendees over the years. This summer, the Bay & Algoma Buskers Festival will celebrate a milestone tenth anniversary with more international acts than ever before. 

Even in this day and age, the topic of youth mental health can still be considered taboo, typically discussed through euphemisms, if at all. So what is unveiled when a snapshot of 10 young people’s mental health and their ways of coping with it is not hushed up or downplayed, but instead proudly displayed for all to bear witness to—unadulterated? In Teenage Mechanisms, Kamryn Woloschuk seeks to answer that question.

The 2025 Wake the Giant festival lineup is here, and festival organizers have got a feeling that festival goers will have the time of their life. This September 6th at the waterfront, international superstar musical group the Black Eyed Peas will headline this year’s festival.