Smiths Falls is getting ready for a night where a little mystery could create a lot of good.
As part of the “Smiths Falls Literary Festival — Small Town, Big Stories”, the Rotary Club of Smiths Falls and Rideau Roundtable are teaming up with master illusionists Ted and Marion Outerbridge for a special cabaret-style evening on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Smiths Falls Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 will be transformed for the night, with magic, appetizers, local history, mystery gifts and a signature cocktail all helping raise money for the Rotary Club and the Rideau Roundtable’s Eco-Literacy Program for Children.
Rotary’s Tracy Staples said bringing the groups together made sense because of the club’s focus on young people, literacy and the environment.
Staples said the setting itself will be part of the fun, with plenty of work going into turning the Legion into something completely different for the evening.
Guests will also be served hors d’oeuvres from DeLuca’s Fine Foods throughout the night.
For André Frommer of the Rideau Roundtable, the fundraiser is a chance to show residents exactly what their support can make possible.
The Eco-Literacy Program works with six area libraries in Perth, Smiths Falls, Westport, Kemptville, Merrickville and Rideau Lakes.
Frommer points out Tina Bye, Program Director of the Eco Literacy Center and Peter Au is the founder of Rideau Round Table and they have been vital to the program’s success.
Children have taken part in canoe adventures, water testing and workshops exploring wetlands, food webs, the water cycle and pollution. They have also built terrariums and birdhouses.
The free program currently serves children ages six to 12 and welcomed nearly 600 participants last year.
While Ontario Trillium Foundation funding helps cover some core costs, André said community fundraising is still essential.
Then there is the magic.
Ted and Marion Outerbridge are donating their performance to the cause, bringing a show created right here in Smiths Falls that has since travelled around the world.
Ted said the hometown audience can expect much more than a few card tricks.
The performance itself is another major contribution to the fundraiser, with the Outerbridges telling our Bob Perreault they’re giving their time and talents to the community.
Marion said the Legion won’t be getting a scaled-back version of the show. The Outerbridges are bringing production elements with them, ensuring audiences can experience the same energy, impact and full-scale production the show is known for.
Their connection to Smiths Falls and the historic Keyhole House will also show up throughout the night.
Merchandise inspired by the house and its stories will be available, with proceeds going directly to Rotary. Marion showed off one special item during the interview — a necklace inspired by an actual Keyhole House key.
The night will also feature mystery-gift raffles and Agnes’s Apparition, the Outerbridges’ signature gin-and-tonic cocktail featuring blueberry syrup, blueberries and a few drops of Tears of Agnes Blueberry hot sauce.
Tickets are $50 each, with the event running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 in Smiths Falls.
It adds another unique chapter to the Smiths Falls Literary Festival, bringing storytelling to life through local history, illusion and community spirit.
And for one night, entertainment, environmental education and giving back will all share the same stage — proving that in Smiths Falls, doing some good can have a little magic behind it.
Tickets are available at the Book’s Better Bookshop on Russell St. East in Smiths Falls or at ticketsplease.ca.
Listen to the complete conversation below.
