It’s been a few years since we first drove through Niagara on the Lake during our hunt for “pick your own” cherries and I always wanted to go back and take in the vibe of this hip little town. Flooded with tourists when we first drove through, today was no different. But it was nice hearing all the different accents and languages spoken as we browsed the many specialty stores.

Last summer was a bust for us and we didn’t do much with our girls, so this year it’s our intention to do as much as we can… the winter takes a toll on us so we MUST enjoy the few warm months we get. From Hamilton it’s a short 40 minute drive and as soon as you get off the QEW you find yourself driving through all the beautiful vineyards and fruit orchards. And do watch out for the many people you’ll pass on bicycles.

Parking! Is a bit on the premium side, as the place gets packed in the summer months. There are plenty metered parking spots, but who wants to have to go back to feed the metal beast every couple hours? WARNING – there are tons on parking “police” so be sure to watch all signs and ensure you’re parked where you’re supposed to or risk getting a ticket.

Dining! Niagara On the Lake is a bed and breakfast type town fueled by tourists, so we were prepared to pay “tourist” prices in the restaurants and other specialty food stores. Lunch for the 5 of us (no dessert or booze) cost us about $75 with tip, and well worth it. The atmosphere was great, service tops and food excellent. There are many patio type restaurants where you’ll find a wide assortment of menus to choose from. Bear in mind that as a tourist town, you may have to join a line to get a good seat… especially if you want a seat at a popular patio.

Rather than go on writing about the town, I’ll let some of the pics we took help you appreciate Niagara On The Lake (great for a day trip with your family or a romantic evening with someone special)…

Niagara-on-the-Lake, often called the loveliest town in Ontario, has a long and distinguished history. Site of the old Neutral Indian village of Onghiara, it was settled at the close of the American Revolution by Loyalists coming to Upper Canada, many of whom had been members of the much feared Butler’s Rangers based during the American Revolution at Fort Niagara, then under British control.

Its many attractions include historic sites – Fort George and the Historical Society Museum, the Shaw Festival with its three theatres, the marina, our heritage business district for shopping, golf courses, parks and beautiful farmland, agricultural markets and our world famous Niagara wineries. Take a carriage ride through the Old Town, or a jet boat up the Niagara River. A short drive along the scenic Niagara Parkway leads to Queenston Heights and Niagara Falls. Check out the Butterfly Conservatory at the Niagara Parks Commission site.

Directions….

From Toronto and destinations east/west via QEW:
Follow the QEW towards Niagara. after crossing the Garden City Skyway at St. Catharines exit the QEW at exit 38B, follow the Niagara-on-the-Lake signage onto Highway 55. Take Highway 55 12km(7mi) northeast until it ends at Queen Street. A right turn will take you into the Heritage Business District.

From New York State and USA destinations

Via Buffalo:
Take the QEW to exit 38 and follow the signage onto Highway 55 and into town as above. OR – follow the signage at the Peace Bridge to the scenic Niagara Parkway and follow it from Fort Erie right into Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Via Niagara Falls:
Cross the Rainbow Bridge and follow signage to the Niagara Parkway north to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Via Lewiston:
Cross the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge and follow signage to the Niagara Parkway north to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Via Detroit:
Take Highway 401 and 403 to Hamilton, Ontario and then follow directions above from Toronto down the QEW to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

What a great weekend it was for the Wingfest in Hamilton as we enjoyed one of the best weekend in Southern Ontario as far as the weather goes, this spring. With sunny skies and hot temperatures (almost too hot) we headed down to the waterfront to take in the action.

Parking was pretty much left to doing what you can on the streets, except there was the option to park very close to the venue, with a $5 charge (per visit) that we were told went to some sort of charity. It being as hot as it was and the fact that the surrounding streets were already jam-packed, we opted for the paid parking.

It was a very vibrant atmosphere as we made our way into the venue, with people streaming and and out. One of the first things you’ll notice is the huge ferris wheel and the amusement park area they have set up for kids. After an experience we had  a few years back at another park with these temporary rides that move from town to town, we no longer opt for taking these rides. But I’m sure the people who were at this part of the venue, had fun. Though they had to pay for the tickets, as expected.

No entry fee. Like the Ribfest that’s held across the bay in Burlington, the Wingfest was free to enter. It being a wonderful sunny day, it seems everyone was in a good mood and having a great time. When you see fellas with beer bellies walking around with their shirts off, you know people are in a good mood. The lines at some of the places serving wings were quite long and the food and beer tents were also packed. I think people were just happy to get out of the sun for a bit and cool down with a cold beverage and sticky wings. I do hope the long lines meant good wings.

The event was well staffed as far as I can tell. There was a police presence and there was a station for medical attention if that was ever required. (great job organizers).

We were probably there a bit too early in the day, but there was a stage set up, so I assume there was live performers later in the day and into the night. With these tough economic times, a free concert is always good. I also believe (again we were too early) there was a fireworks show at night.

Areas for some improvement?

Promotion. The people I spoke too (not at the event) knew nothing about this event, even though this in not the first year for staging it. Better job can be done with marketing or maybe the organizers are hoping for the guests this to spread the word?

Location. Unlike with Ribfest in Burlington where the backdrop is very nice, this event is held at a location that a bit too industrial looking. And when you did walk out to the water front area..don’t look to the right – the steel plants are there and not all that pleasant to look at. The organizers good do a much better job at finding a nicer location. Somewhere that showcases the natural beauty of Hamilton. A grassy area at least?

The Food. Well, the wing options were plenty, but to be honest I did not make a purchase. The wings all seemed like the same wherever you went, wings with some sauce or the other on it. Would be nice to see people trying different techniques in the preparation, as they all looked grilled and bath in sauces as I mentioned before. Where were the dusted, the deep fried with breading and the other ways you can cook wings?

Caron and Indy had some of the fresh cut fries that were served at the “Hutches” booth since all the onion rings at the event was sold out, as well as the nachos at the “Hooters” booth. Both items got full marks, especially the sort of spiced cheese that came on top of the nacho plate. Price-wise, it what’s expected at these type of events. The container of fries were $4 and the nachos were $5 (there wasn’t any salsa or beef on the nachos). Oh the wings… 1/2 LB was $5 and $10/lb at the places were I did poke my head in to see what the wings looked like.

Judging from the long lines at some wing stalls, there seems to be some favorites and my guess it’s due to the sauces they used at those booths or how big the display signs were that advertised the booth.

Why didn’t I make a purchase? I love me some good wings, but I really didn’t see or smell (BTW, how the heck there wasn’t a mouth watering scent at this park?) anything that looked appealing to me. The closest I came to making a purchase was the “sweet chili heat” ones I saw as it was a bit intriguing, but the pale colour of the cooked wing turned me off, though it was covered in that chili bbq sauce. I’m very visual with my food and I like some clour on my cooked meats.. golden brown from frying or grill marks would be nice.

Overall not a bad experience for my first time at the Wingfest. With some marketing and a better location, this event will be one to mark on your calendar to start off the summer season! Maybe next year I’ll grab me some wings?

Enjoy the pics and be sure to leave me your comments in the area provided below.

Almost forgot to mention… Art at a Wingfest? There was a huge tent (display) area with artwork at the Wingfest, but I just couldn’t connect to two – art and wings!

Date / Location: June 12th and go on until Sunday, June 14th at Pier 8, 47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton, Ontario.

For more information, please contact event co-ordinator, Julia by email at specialevents@hamiltonwaterfront.com or by phone at (905) 525-4498.

The History of Hamilton Wingfest

In late 2007 a movement began to bring the Wingfest phenomenon to Hamilton. Our city is a natural site for such an endeavor: Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla pointed out that Hamilton is the one of the first Canadian cities to offer chicken wings.

On December 19, three Hamilton councillors, backed by the Hamilton Waterfront Trust, challenged the mayor of Buffalo, NY, to a “chicken wing showdown”, as it was termed in the December 20 issue of The Spectator. Buffalo is widely recognized as the birthplace of the chicken wing snack, and its proximity to Hamilton resulted in the new culinary creation catching on here before anywhere else in Canada.

Website for the wingfest.

There’s nothing better than the joy and taste you get from vegetables that you grow yourself. However if you live in an apartment building, townhouse, condo or maybe your backyard just does not have the room, having a garden of your own can be a challenge. Many people do resort to container gardening from their limited spaces, but you’re still limited to the few containers you may have space for.

From a boy I’d always love to garden (I guess this stems from seeing my parents busy at work in our little kitchen garden), but living in rental units and town houses I never had the space to do so. About 8 years ago I found out that the City of Hamilton rented gardening plots to residents and I grabbed the opportunity to get one every spring since then.

This year I opted for a plot at the Churchill Park Community Gardens which I started to work a few days ago.

If you live the City Of Hamilton and you’d like to grow some fresh vegetables, you’re in luck. But as I learned this year, you must act fast to secure a plot. I’m not sure if it’s due to the fact that we’re in a recession and people are trying to save (by growing their own vegetables) or if people are just looking for a way to spend time with the family and grow their own organic produce, but these plots sell out FAST! In previous years, there were always plots left back that you could grab at the last minute.

Churchill Park Community Gardens 85 Oak Knoll Drive

The Community Gardens are an exciting approach to gardening without pesticides. If you are interested in growing your own vegetables and herbs, want to discover an excellent source of exercise and meet new friends that share the same passion for gardening – join us in the community gardens! It is managed by the Public Works Department, Forestry & Horticulture Section for the City of Hamilton.

The garden plots are available from May to late September, but you must reserve the plot as early as you can, since as I mentioned above they get taken fast. In late Winter or early Spring complete the application form and send it in with your payment. Then a 4×5 meter plot will be assigned to you. If you have an idea of which plot you’d like to reserve, do mention so in the application form.

The plots at Churchill Park comes  roto-tilled and you do have access to a tool shed where you have access to many of the tools necessary for gardening. The thing that I like best about the plots at Churchill park is that is fenced in (protect your produce from thieves and animals) and there’s a built-in sprinkler system. This means that even when you go away on that family trip during the summer, your garden will not go thirsty!

The Churchill Park Community Gardens are located on the Hamilton Aviary compound, so your kids will have a great time interacting with all the birds when they get bored with the chores of gardening. The entire compound is open from 8 am to 8 pm daily.

For more information about the Community Gardens Program, contact:
Beth Wheaton, Business Initiatives Coordinator
Phone: 905.546.2424 x 4819
Fax: 905.546.3972
Email: beth.wheaton@hamilton.ca

Note: These pictures were taken in early Spring when most people are just starting to put in their plants. I will try to update this post later in the season to show you what it looks like in full bloom.