Goose on the Grand

The Cambridge Geese Unveiling

Be there for the official unveiling of the Cambridge Geese. five hand-painted, 4.5-foot fiberglass geese created by local artists that celebrate creativity, community, and city spirit. 8 more Geese will slowly pop up in the City over the rest of the year. 

Meet Our Artists

Helen Turner (Instagram)

(Farmer’s Market Goose)

Helen Turner is an accomplished artist from Cambridge, ON, Canada, who spent three rewarding decades in education — as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal — before retiring to pursue her lifelong love of art. Her paintings, greeting cards, and gift items carry the warmth of someone who has spent a lifetime nurturing others.

Meet Sir Honks-A-Lot, proud keeper of the Cambridge Farmers’ Market. This painted goose honours the heart of the market and the community it feeds. A beehive crowns his back, with bees spiralling down his sides — a tribute to the honeybee’s vital role in our food and farming. Fresh local market treasures are woven into his design, celebrating the connection between land, grower, and our shared table. Sir Honks-A-Lot is a reminder of community, wellness, and knowing where your food comes from.

Lennon Sykes (Instagram) 

(Grand River Pride Goose)

Lennon (Rattlingteeth) is a black/biracial, trans, queer, and neurodiverse artist born and raised in Cambridge, ON. Their paintings mix vibrant colours, nature, portraiture and surrealism while leaning on inspirations such as afrofuturism, expressionism and the colours of the world around them. Using art as an outlet Rattlingteeth tackles topics such as identity, ecology, community, love, joy, pain, wellness and more.

This piece was inspired by the vibrancy and colours of Downtown Galt on a hot summer day. The diverse 2SLGBTQ+ community of Cambridge can be sometimes hard to find, especially during winter months. I wanted this piece to be a pillar of colour and a bold visual reminder that we are not alone and we belong within the greater community.

Whether you are questioning, in the closet, ‘out’ or somewhere in the middle I made this bouquet for you! Remember, there is beauty in our differences and strength in our love.

Lisa Leskien - Artist on the Loose (www.lisaontheloose.com)

(Cambridge Public Library Goose)

Lisa Leskien is an artist on the loose with a passion for capturing joy, energy, and vibrant colour in everything she creates. Her work is inspired by her explorations while running, hiking and cycling, particularly through the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield near her home, in Sydenham, Ontario.

Lisa specializes in stylized, representational oil paintings, as well as linocut and woodcut prints that reflect the wonder she sees in everyday life. Using bold mark-making, thick “juicy” paint, and highly exaggerated colours, her pieces are full of life and movement. Lisa’s enthusiasm for the creative process is infectious—something she shares not only through her art, but also as an art instructor at The Hive Studio, Artnoise and The Senior’s Centre in Kingston. She teaches a range of classes including beginner and intermediate painting, landscape and still life painting, printmaking, crochet, and arts workshops.

In 2024, Lisa won the Quinte Plein Air Competition for her bright and playful acrylic painting Greetings from Jimmy the Goat at Hagerman Farms. This piece reflects her love for capturing local colour, character, and energy in her work.

Lisa earned a Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Education from Brock University. After a 19-year career as an elementary school teacher, she made the leap to follow her dream of becoming a full-time artist in 2024—and hasn’t looked back since.

Holly Enter (hollyenter.wixsite.com/canvasandpage)

(Gaslight Goose)

Holly Enter is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Brant County, Ontario. Her artwork is shaped by a desire to find beauty in ordinary places and everyday moments, reflecting the creativity and design found throughout the world around us.

Alongside her personal practice and private commissions, Holly enjoys being involved in community-focused and public art projects. She aims to create artwork that engages the public, celebrates local culture and heritage, and transforms shared spaces into places of interest and conversation.

This painting celebrates Cambridge's historic buildings in and around the Gaslight District, where historic places have been reimagined to preserve their character while creating new spaces for the community to gather. The scene brings together iconic landmarks, including the Gaslight District's buildings and water tower, the Old Post Office, and church steeples that have shaped Cambridge's skyline for more than a century. The Grand River serves as the connecting thread, reflecting the warm glow of windows, streetlights, and string lights. Together, these elements celebrate a place where history and modern life meet along the banks of the Grand River. 

Mother Goose Story Time

Little ones can enjoy interactive Mother Goose story time, perfect for young families looking for a relaxed and engaging experience.

Live Music

Take in live music throughout the day while relaxing riverside or exploring the park.

Food & Treats

Enjoy a variety of delicious food offerings available on site.

Paint Experience

Get creative with a hands-on paint experience, offering interactive fun for artists of all ages. Stay tuned for more information on this free activity!

Rubber Duck Race

Don’t miss the Rubber Duck Race down the Grand River, presented in partnership with the Rotary Club. 1400 rubber ducks will take to the Grand off the Park Hill Bridge and race for the Main Street Bridge.

• Tickets available for purchase through the Rotary Club (Link to be provided once ticket sales are live)
• Cash prizes awarded to winning ducks
• Participants must be 19 years of age or older to purchase a ticket