Pembroke, Ontario

Pembroke (2004 population 14,700 or 23,679 including the immediate surrounding area) is a city on the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley in eastern Ontario, Canada. Pembroke is the seat of Renfrew County.

Related Topics:
2004 - City - Ottawa River - Ottawa Valley - Ontario - Canada - Renfrew County

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Forestry has historically been the major industry in the area, but the nearby military base at Petawawa and nuclear power development at Chalk River have diversified the local economy. A series of murals in the downtown area depict the history of the city.

Related Topics:
Forestry - Petawawa - Nuclear power - Chalk River - Mural

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Recently, Pembroke has seen an insurgence of musical talent and is rumored to become the next big festival spot in North America. For example, two members of Sam Roberts' band are from Pembroke, as is the indie rock band Blinker the Star. The two bands held a benefit concert for the Pembroke General Hospital on May 29, 2004.

Related Topics:
Sam Roberts - Indie rock - Blinker the Star - May 29 - 2004

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Pembroke is also the birthplace of comedian Tom Green, although Green's family subsequently moved to Ottawa.

Related Topics:
Tom Green - Ottawa

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Pembroke hosts one of the campuses of Ottawa-based Algonquin College.

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Pembroke contains two shopping malls.

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Pembroke is also the site of Canada's first electric street light and the recipient of Canada's first long distance phone call.

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The city is also home to the anual "Old Time Fiddeling and Step Dancing" festival that happens Labour Day weekend at Riverside park. There are often up to 1400 RVs parked there for the week preceeding the event.

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