If you live in the big city and have never ventured east to Prince Edward County and the ever busy tourist town of Picton, you’re missing out. From vineyards to  local breweries, Sandbanks Provincial Park and its beautiful beach on Lake Ontario, plus a growing cultural destination called Base31, there’s a lot to discover. 

Historically, Base31 was home to one of Canada’s original military training  centres–No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School – RAF Station Picton–and remained active as a military base until 1969. In 1999, the site transferred ownership and became a business park and airport. In 2021,a new era of life began when  PEC Community Partners purchased the property in December. 

Today, the rebirth of Base31 is well underway as it expands its offerings and evolves into a vibrant cultural destination. This year alone, you can discover over 100 unforgettable experiences waiting to be enjoyed.

The Photo Roadies are proud to be a media partner of Base31, helping to promote its live music events—particularly at the Drill Hall RBC Stage and the Sergeants Mess Hall. 

The Drill Hall at Base31 is a large-scale performance space with big sound in a remarkable historic setting. With its hangar-like ceiling and dynamic atmosphere, it has become a go-to destination for live music in Prince Edward County. The venue has hosted some of the best touring acts in the country, including the Colin James Trio, Tom Cochrane, The Glorious Sons, Sam Roberts Band, and country favourites like High Valley, The Reklaws, and Josh Ross.

Each year, Base31’s music programming continues to exceed expectations. This summer, music fans won’t want to miss performances by Default, Marianas Trench, Dean Brody, I Mother Earth, and Dwayne Gretzky—right in the heart of the County.

The Drill Hall

Another venue that we highly recommend is the 170-seat Sergeants Mess Hall. Once a dining area for the Sergeants of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School, it has been thoughtfully transformed into an intimate, up-close-and-personal entertainment space.

The Sergeants Mess Hall has welcomed some incredible artists to its stage, including Carole Pope, Tom Wilson, Hawksley Workman and American folk legend, Judy Collins. This summer, you can enjoy an intimate evening with Whitehorse, Jay Malinowski from Bedouin Soundclash, and the Grapes of Wrath duo. 

The Sergeants Mess Hall

And by the way, if you arrive early with a craving, or find yourself hungry after a show,  just pop over to The Commissary where you will find local culinary favourites in a music-infused atmosphere and maybe some live local entertainment.

There’s so much more than music happening at Base31—countless entertainment options are waiting to be explored.  So before you jump in the car, fill up the gas tank, and yell “Picton, here we come!”, head over to www.base31.ca and see what is coming up that interests  you the most. And if you hit a music show, keep an eye out for the person with the camera—that’s probably a Photo Roadie, so don’t forget to say hello!