Open Hearth Park

The RibFest 5K Run will take place in Open Hearth Park tomorrow, Saturday July 18. The run begins at 9:00 AM and will utilize the north trails (between Ferry Street and the Harbour) within Open Hearth Park.

While visiting Open Hearth Park this week, you will notice the team is busy preparing for the sauciest event of the summer, RibFest, which is taking place from July 17-19. Please be mindful of the team working and the equipment and fencing that they are setting up around the open field and concession stand area. The concession building, splash pad and playground will remain open. Can't wait to see you in Open Hearth Park next weekend enjoying some delicious eats!

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Thank you, Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club for sprucing up our Sydney Steel Plant ladle!

Earlier this month, rotary volunteers primed and painted the 8-tonne ladle that stands in Open Hearth Park to honour steelworkers and the city’s rich industrial history. The ladle was used to hold and pour molten steel as part of the hot and dangerous work at the plant. Sydney Steel closed in 2000 and the site has been remediated and is now a community hub of activities and events.

We look forward to welcoming the Rotary Ribfest back to Open Hearth Park on July 17-19, and to seeing another great turnout for this important fundraiser for local charities.

This summer will be sizzling!

Rotary's Ribfest is coming back to Open Hearth Park.

The summer's favourite festival is on July 17, 18 & 19, 2026.

To mark the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100 years of service to Canada, the RCAF partnered with Trees for Life to plant commemorative groves in six locations across the country.

This living tribute honours the sacrifice, courage, and dedication of military members and their families in a way that is lasting, sustainable, and rooted in community.

The site selected was Open Hearth Park in Sydney, Cape Breton. Our Build Nova Scotia team in Sydney was proud to support this work, and on Friday, November 21, 2025, the grove was dedicated.

Thank you to the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Trees for Life, the designers, the landscapers, and our team for helping bring this 100-year tribute to life.

A big round of applause to everyone who helped make this year's Great Pumpkin Trail one of our biggest and best yet.

Special thanks to:

🎃 all the families, individuals, businesses, and organizations that dropped off pumpkins and displays – you made the trail look boo-tiful!

🎃 Joany's Pizza & Donair for the gift cards that went to four lucky winners.

🎃 Tim Hortons and Horizon Achievement Centre for the delicious treats

🎃 the Zombies and Celtic Witches who danced and sang, and Mario, Peach and Daisy who chatted with the children and handed out candy – you thrilled the crowd

🎃 CBRM fire and police – the police display and fire truck with the ladder are always big hits

🎃 CBU Nursing Society who were ready to provide first aid

🎃 the Salvation Army and everyone who donated to their food bank

🎃 our vendors – Highland Fries who offered tasty food specials and MALA Event Rentals who gave the night some extra bounce

🎃 the Two Rivers Wildlife Park for making good use of the leftover pumpkins

🎃 the team at Build Nova Scotia for setting up early and cleaning late into the evening

We hope everyone who attended the Trail had as much fun as we did.

See you next year!