Breaking News: Senator Peter Harder Honours Beverley Harris with King Charles III Coronation Medal…..See More

On Sunday, February 9th, in a special ceremony held at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Amherst Island, Senator Peter Harder presented Beverley Harris, the Artistic Director of the Waterside Summer Series, with the prestigious King’s Coronation Medal in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the arts.

The ceremony which was attended by Lennox & Addington Warden Nathan Townend, Loyalist Township Mayor Jim Hegadorn, Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox & Addington Shelby Kramp, and other distinguished guests, celebrated Beverley Harris’ over 20 years of dedication to bringing world-class classical music to Amherst Island.

“Senator Harder’s recognition of Beverley’s decades of service to the musical arts is well deserved, and also an example of Waterside’s far reach and excellent reputation. L&A is extremely proud to have such a cultural jewel in our county,” stated Warden Townend.

The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation.

To be eligible for this honour, a person must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a province, territory, region or community, or has made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Since taking the helm as Artistic Director in 2005, Beverley has helped shape the Waterside Summer Series into one of Canada’s most successful summer music festivals. The festival is renowned for consistently sold-out performances and an impressive lineup of A-list classical music stars who make the journey to perform in the intimate setting of St. Paul’s Church. The result has been a series that not only attracts top performers but also builds a trusted connection with the audience, who eagerly anticipate each summer’s offerings. Beverley credits Waterside’s success to the amazing number of musically knowledgeable people on Amherst Island.

The festival’s unique appeal lies not only in the caliber of its performances but also in the charm of Amherst Island, with visitors enjoying a scenic ferry ride and the intimate, welcoming atmosphere of the small 140-seat church on the hill. The combination of these elements makes the Waterside Summer Series a standout event on the Ontario summer music calendar.

For more information and to check out the exciting lineup for the summer of 2025, visit Waterside Summer Series website.