Immediately after our buffet breakfast at Stone Crock Restaurant, it was our plan to browse the many shops in the village and then head over to the Farmer’s Market, since that was the last stop on our way out of St Jacobs. I was stuffed from that magnificent breakfast and was really not in the mood to walk, as I would much prefer a shady tree, cool breeze and hammock. However the “tourists” were just starting to pack the one street town and there was a nice buzz of activity. Plus Caron and Toni were eager to get started, even if it was just window shopping. Thankfully there were many benches along the street where Marko and I could sit and relax as the ladies did their thing.

Though the shops themselves are not run by the Mennonites, there was the occasional time I would see someone dressed in their traditional gear walking about town and I even caught the glimpse of a horse and buggy driven by a Mennonite gentleman. I’ve seen such on tv, but never live an direct (very neat). The town itself is basically one street lined with several unique shops, restaurants and what could be considered working museums.

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Our first stop was the mini mall at the end of the strip on the left side facing the bridge that crosses the river that runs through the far end of the town. Caron was intrigued by the assortment of items from Scotland and the other British Isles, but I found the woman who manned the cash register to be very rude and unwelcoming. She’s one of those people who makes you think you did something wrong, even though you know you’ve not. I walked out the same speed I walked in after this negative vibes and I can guarantee you that I will never go back to “A Touch Of Scotland”. Next door, within the same mini mall building is Taste- The Forth Sense (Gourmet condiments: oils and specialty sauces.) , so I was like a kid in a candy store with all the hot sauces they had on sale. The young man on duty was very helpful in explaining the background of all the hot sauces he had on display and I could see his face light up when I asked to try what he said was their hottest sauce in stock. “He’ll regret asking me to try this sauce” is what I could see going through his head and was very sorry to disappoint him when my reaction was not what he expected. I have a very high tolerance for anything hot and spicy and though this sauce was very hot, it didn’t phase me one bit. The selection, friendly atmosphere and the ability to sample, is why I would highly recommend a visit to “Taste- The Forth Sense”.

By this time the sun was getting hot and the touristy crowds were starting to get thick, so make note of this if you’re planning a trip to St Jacobs. Arrive early to get a jump-start on things. Basically the Village of St. Jacobs, is where simplicities of small town life complement the fabulous shopping in many fine specialty shops, boutiques and artist’s studios. And though I personally didn’t go into each store, I must make mention of the ones that stuck out…

Chocolate ‘n More: Featuring truffles, creams, caramels, clusters, bark and No-Sugar-Added products. Plus Brittles ‘N More featuring handmade fudge, brittles, beernuts, Turkish Delight, sponge toffee. Enjoy selections from espresso/coffee bar and 17 flavours of soft-serve “Flavorburst” and “Crunchi Creme” icecream.

Christmas in St Jacobs – An all year store with tons of Christmas decorations and trinkets.

Artistic: The Gift And Garden Place – This store is jammed with stuff you can use to decorate your outdoor (and indoor) living spaces and it’s a great option for finding that perfect gift for someone without having to break the bank. Be sure to check out the model train that run through the ceiling of the store and whimsical water wheel on the outside of the building.

Hamel Broom – Manufacturer and retailer of corn brooms. Absolutely my favorite spot as it’s like a working museum on how corn brooms are made. A bit dusty, but definitely something you must not miss.

The Cake Box 2 – Cupcakes, cookies, organic teas, gourmet coffees. And I believe they also offer cake decorating classes on the weekend.

If your back is towards the river and you’re facing the way into town, on the left side there are 2 stores that you must also check out, the bakery and the butcher shop. In the pics above you’ll catch a glimpse of the inside of these two establishments. As you enter the bakery a sudden hunger takes over your body, with the tasty scent of breads and dessert fresh out of the oven and as you look around you notice that you’re surrounded by pies and other baked goods that causes you to almost drool on yourself. I’m, so sorry I can’t remember the names of these two stores to give them full credit for their amazing product line.

I’m sure if you were to ask the girls what their favorite stores were on this trip they would probably mention some of the Jewelery, Clothing, Quilts and other specialty store that are geared for women. So ladies, go prepared to shop, but at a laid-back pace as no one seems to be in a rush.

One last thing I must mention before I wrap up this review. In the pics above you’ll see a snap of a “Home Hardware”, supposedly this is the very first location of this proud Canadian franchise and we were told that not too far from the town’s core,  is a massive distribution center for Home Hardware. I guess the locals are very proud of this as they suggested we drive over to see this building.

If you’re looking for something to do as a family, couple or with friends, why not head out to St Jacobs and be sure to also check out the Farmer’s market!

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Last weekend I stopped by Ontario Place with no intention to do a review, but armed with a point and shoot camera I decided to take some pics and share some thoughts with you. Caribana, dubbed the largest street festival in North America moves the festivities to Ontario Place on the Sunday and Monday following the street parade on Saturday so we decided to take in some of the vibes from the islands. Speaking with vendors and other attendees who had been there the day before, we learned that the Sunday event was much bigger and even included a food symposium by “Grace Foods”, highlighting the cuisine of the Caribbean.

The Caribana event was not as large as I hoped,  but there was still the opportunity to enjoy in the cuisine, live music and cultural vibe of the islands. As a son of the islands I was beaming with pride as I witnessed one of the best sounding steel pan bands perform, who were on tour from Trinidad and Tobago. Where else in North America can you drink a cold coconut, taste fresh sugar cane and if you’re really hungry, devour a hot chicken roti all in one place? If you’ve not experienced Caribana yet, make next year’s event as a must do on your calendar.

Since I didn’t go with the intention to do an actual review I didn’t take notes or pay much attention to my surrounding, however I did take some pictures:

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After enjoying some of the live music I decided to take a walk through the lovely grounds of Ontario Place, since I had never been here before. Overall a lovely place to spend time with your family, but it did seem a bit dated and could really do with a little sprucing up. Seems the two hot spots this day were the area designated for the Caribana events and the water park “Foster’s Soak City”. With it’s massive water slide and other water activities, on this hot day it was a hit with kids cooling down.

Here’s a quick run-through of what you can expect when you visit Ontario Place, however you may have to check their website for additional charges for some of the activities…

Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Atlantis
Cinesphere

Current entry prices: http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/03_prices/pas.html

Rides (general family)

4D ONTARIO
H2O GENERATION STATION
THE ATOM BLASTER
FIRST FLIGHT
FREE FALL
SUPER SLIDE
PEDAL BOAT ADVENTURE
MINI GREENS
COOL HOOPS
WILD WORLD OF WEATHER
ARCADE

Rides  (Thrill)

WILDERNESS ADVENTURE RIDE
BUMPER BOATS
F/X Adventure Theatre

There’s ample space on the garden-like greens for having a picnic overlooking Lake Ontario if you decide to take in food and there’s also the option of a few food stalls if you prefer to eat there (burger, fries, pizza etc). But be prepared to pay “park” prices.

To contact Ontario Place:

Automated Information Line 416-314-9900
Outside the GTA, call toll-free 1-866-ONE-4-FUN

Mailing Address
955 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M6K 3B9

BTW, if you’d like to save on the entry fee to Ontario Place, check the facebook group (see image/link below) as we have a coupon we found online that you can use.

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When most of us think about Battlefield House we immediately vision the re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek which takes place on it’s grounds every Spring (something you should not miss) or being in a wedding party and going there after the ceremony to take pictures. But did you know that there’s much more to this very historic site? Like doing a tour of the house that the Gage family built back in 1796 and being transformed back in time, or walking up the hill and climbing the stairs to the top of the 100 ft Battlefield Monument where you get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. Not to be outdone, the grounds of Battlefield house is lush, well manicured and tempting to sit under a tree with your favourite book and take things easy.

I was fortunate to get a personal guide tour of the historic house, the gardens and the monument when I visited a couple weeks back as part of our dedication to highlighting things that can be done in Ontario. Our tour started through the rustic looking front door which was probably hand carved by a skilled trades person (well, it seemed that way) which was adorned on both sides by lovely iron lanterns. The type you’d expect a coachman to have. On entering you’re immediately hit by the scent of “old”. Not musty as was the scent at Dundurn Castle, but more of a smell of an empty house that wasn’t lived in. The painted wooden floors squeaked and gave a sort of hollow noise as you moved though the hallway and glanced at the rooms on the main floor. Straight ahead was a staircase leading to the second floor, which I learned wasn’t part of the original home but added later on. On the left side was the kitchen which was still functional, with a fireplace that took me back to my days watching Little House On the Prairie. I’m sure some delicious meals were prepared here and I could almost hear the chatter you’d get in a kitchen as meals were being prepared and enjoyed on the huge wooden kitchen table.

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One couldn’t miss the lovely wallpaper which was revealed on part of the wall just off the entrance, which would have been the way the walls were dressed back when the Gage family occupied the home. It’s a restoration work in progress and I can’t wait to go back, even just to see the finished project. On the right side of the entrance was the grand room and the main floor was complete with a bedroom at the very back, just off the kitchen. With great use of windows, the house is brightly lit and allowed for wonderful views of the grounds. The walls were decorated with many paintings and pieces that gave the visitor the feeling of stepping back in time and being absorbed into history. I could clearly see how daily life would have been in this home so many years ago. But remember I had the personal guide tour, by a very knowledgeable tour guide (wish I could remember her name).

We then made our way up the staircase to the second floor where one could view the master’s bedroom as well as the other bedrooms and just off the bedroom to the front of the house, there’s a room dedicated to a Military Museum (see pics above for a couple pieces of the artifacts). The paintings on the wall in the hallway gave me a sort of creepy feeling… blame that on all the older horror movies I’ve watched over the years. The highlight of the top floor is the balcony that stretches across the front of the house. I could see myself sitting here on a summer’s evening as the sun sets in the background with a panoramic view of the property and hills as a backdrop.
A tour of Battlefield house is not complete until you make your way down the stairs into the root cellar, where on the right side of the staircase you can see the exposed brick that were used in construction, sill in pristine condition. The area in the basement is now used mainly during school tours where the kids can participate in crafts and other tour activities.

You’ll notice that I didn’t spend much time on the actual history of the house or the lives of the people who lived here, as I feel this is something you should really experience for yourself. The guided tours are simply amazing and very educational without the feeling of being in a classroom setting.

With the tour of the house complete, we made our way through the garden and up the stairs leading to the Battlefield Monument. If you’re lucky you may see a rabbit or two hopping around as you make your way up the concrete stairs. Certainly a local landmark, the Battlefield Monument has been part of the local landscape since 1913 and was built to commemorate a century of peace between the British and the Americans. Through the massive doors that reminded you of the entrance to a castle, you can climb the internal stairs up to the lookout deck. Here the view is absolutely stunning so bring your camera. With a majestic view of the grounds of the property, you’ll get a good idea of the work that’s being done to preserve this historic site and on a clear day you can also see as far as Toronto across the lake.

Battlefield House Museum & Park
77 King St. West
Stoney Creek, Ontario
L8G 5E5

Phone:  905-662-8458
Fax:  905-546-4141

Website:  www.hamilton.ca/museums
Email:  battlefield@hamilton.ca
Admission Rates

Adults (18-59)    $6.50
Senior (60+)    $5.50
Student * (13-17)    $5.50
Child (6-12)    $4.50
Infant (5 and under)   Free
Family **     $16.50

* Student = 13-17 or with valid student ID
** Family = two adults and dependent children under 18

Hours of Operation

July 1 to Labour Day: Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm

Labour Day to June 30: Tuesday to Sunday: 1 – 4 pm

(Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)

Depending on availability, they will gladly open outside of regular hours for pre-booked groups.

So what about the re-enactment of the Battle Of Stoney creek? Personally I’ve not been to it yet, but I’ve marked of my calendar to be there bright and early next spring, so I can see for myself how the war was won! Do check out the website at http://www.battlefieldhouse.ca for more details about the re-enactment.

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I’d like to thank Susan Ramsay and the wonderful staff at Battlefield house for accommodating us with an insightful tour of Battlefield House and The Monument. I’d also like to invite you to join us on Facebook and keep connected with all that there is to do in the fascinating Province of Ontario. Simply click on the Facebook image below to connect.

Have you been to the AGH (Art Gallery Of Hamilton) recently? It’s one of those places where there’s always something new and exciting to see and there are times when certain exhibitions are free to browse. More on that later. I’d never been to an art gallery before, but it was one of those things I had always wanted to do and on this day I really wished we had done this as a family. Our daughters have been at the AGH in the past on school trips, but I really missed having discussions with them on their take on the art that was on display. It’s always nice hearing other people’s perspective on things. Especially when it’s your children.

I was a bit late for my appointment with Steve Denyes, the Communication Manager at the AGH due to parking issues in the downtown core of Hamilton. It’s a common misconception that there’s limited parking and spots are hard to find. Had I done a little research I would have known that parking is plentiful. (see below for parking options)

Steve was very gracious in accepting my tardiness and gave me a tour of the entire galley. As mentioned, this was my first encounter with art in a gallery type setting so having a guide really added to the entire experience. Our tour/chat lasted for about 40 minutes, but I recommend you reserve at least an hour if you’re doing the tour on your own as there’s so much that you’re exposed to. Especially if this your first time at the AGH.

I’ve always been an amateur history buff so the featured exhibit, “Dance of Life: The Tanenbaum African Collection” allowed me the opportunity to connect with a part of the world that I’ve always been fascinated with. From the tall carved pillars that encased the doorway which remind me of the Totem poles from Western Canada, (used as palace posts by the Yoruba people in Nigeria) to the wonderful carved work by Lamidi Olonade Fakeye and the many tribal masks, it’s a fascinating exhibit… let’s just say I was in my own mini heaven. Pieces from the Art Gallery of Buffalo, Art Gallery Of Ontario, Museum of Art in New York and many pieces from personal collections made up this truly absorbing centerpiece.

Cake as ART?

Come prepared to be amazed by the work by Fiona Kinsella who use cakes to get her message across. I was quite amazed by the way the pieces on the wall jumped out at you with a tempting desire to be touched (no touching please).

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Not To Miss.

The collection by locally based artist Robert Mason, the Architecture of Cloud by Max Streicher (be sure to check out the pictures of his working blueprint for the piece) and no visit to the AGH is complete without being amazed by the Bruegel-Bosch Bus (see pic at the top of this page) by Kim Adams which I’m told is a work in progress. As new elements are added ever so often. So the next time you visit you may notice something new.

On site there’s a also a terrific cafe and the gift shop on the left side as you come to the top of the stairs is packed with many souvenirs and trinkets to remember your visit to the AGH. I must also make mention of the statue garden off the main floor which is very serene and a wonderful space to relax, as well as the fact that the AGH also offers a catering service for social and business events. So if you’d like a perfect setting for your wedding or business meeting, you should give them a call.

Parking Options (from the AGH website)

a) Directly underneath the Art Gallery of Hamilton
The City of Hamilton runs the parking garage located directly underneath the Art Gallery of Hamilton. This garage can be entered from Summers Lane and from King Street (look for the green P sign). Carry the ticket you?ll receive upon entering with you and pay your parking fee at a pay station before you return to your car. These parking stations accept credit cards, bills and coins (daily maximum is $7.50).

b) Other Municipal and Private Parking Lots and Garages
There are a number of municipally- and privately-run parking lots and garages throughout downtown Hamilton. Generally, the fees range from $3.00 to $7.00 a day to park.

c) On-Street Parking
On-street parking meters in the Downtown are $1.00 per hour. All meters are clearly signed and marked with rates and times relative to each parking space. In addition, the hours of operation may vary according to location by either time of day and/or day of week. A large portion of the downtown allows for free on-street parking after 6:00 pm daily, and all day Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holidays.

The AGH is not only heavily involved in the community, they try to make the gallery as accessible as possible to everyone. Level 2 is open to the general public at no cost and they also run a program called “First Fridays” where access to level 1 of the gallery is open to the public, free. For full details on this opportunity to do something fun with your family if you’re on a limited budget, check out their website (see below for link). BTW, don’t be fooled into thinking that going to an art gallery is reserved for the rich and cultured. It’s a marvelous experience for one and all.

Information About The Art Gallery Of Hamilton.

123 King Street West | Hamilton ON | L8P 4S8
T: 905-527-6610 | F: 905-577-6940
E: info@artgalleryofhamilton.com

Gallery Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday 12 noon – 7 pm
Thursday & Friday 12 noon – 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm
For more information about First Fridays, exhibits, camps for kids, community involvement of the AGH and all other information to help you plan your next trip, visit their website. http://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com

I’ll definitely go back to the AGH since the exhibits tend to rotate about 3 times a year. But on my next trip, hopefully we can do it as a family.  I highly recommend that you take an hour or two from your schedule and give the AGH a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how engaging it can all be.. Even for an art novice like me.

Special thanks to Steve Denyes and the staff at the AGH for taking time to accommodate with such an informative tour.  Don’t forget to leave us your comments if you’ve already been to the AGH or should you have any relating questions. We also invite you to be part of our Facebook fan page, by clicking on the image below.

What a lovely weekend to spend some time outdoors enjoying the rich and diverse culture of our region as far as crafts, food and music goes, at the annual “It’s Your Festival” held at Gage Park in Hamilton. Last year we covered the “Festival of Friends” at the same location and over the years we been to both festivals countless times, as it’s one of those things you pencil into your calendar for the summer months.

You’re probably wondering why there’s a parking violation picture at the top of this post, since I’m sure there’s  a much better picture to start of this review with. Unlike other years when you could easily park on the streets immediately surrounding Gage Park, this year was a bit different and it seems many people were not aware of this. As we searched out a parking spot on the streets, we started seeing parking tickets on cars and it was only then did we notice the parking violation signs (could be easily missed if you came through a side street). I guess this is one way to force people to use the paid parking that’s supplied by the event. I’d hate to be any one of those people who came back to a ticket on their car. I’m sure the flow of traffic is an inconvenience for the people living around Gage Park, but I think this comes with the territory and besides, it’s just a couple weekends a year. Will we be seeing similar signs around all parks and playgrounds in Hamilton soon, when there’s a soccer or baseball game?

It’s Your Festival is a great opportunity to mingle with people from your neighborhood, try ethnic foods, browse  though an assortment of craft stalls and end it all with the wonderful sounds of the live bands that are featured every year.

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Two things you immediately notice as you enter the park is how clean the area is, as there are tons of garbage cans (even recycling) spread throughout the park and it seems people are actually using them. The other thing is how spread out the entire event is. There’s ample room for whatever large crowd they were expecting and the organizing committee must be have really done their homework. As events in the past always seemed crowded, especially when you start encountering people with baby buggies and those on powered wheelchairs etc. With wide spaces between booths, this also allowed for a cool breeze to work it’s way through the event and cool down a very hot and steamy day.

Unlike the Festival Of Friends, this event had a lot of choices as far as food goes. The air was perfumed with the alluring scent of international cuisine that challenged the senses to pinpoint what you were smelling. It was like taking a worldwide trip without ever leaving home. Greek, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican and for the first time at one of these event’s we even had Chinese food on sale. BTW, Europe and Canada were well represented as well.

For the kids and kids at heart there was a midway that was full of activity and the hit this seems to have been the rock climbing wall that not only had  a line to get on, but an excited crowd gathered to see people struggle at getting at the top. Expect to pay prices similar to such midways you’ve been to int he past and the games (ones you pay to play and win a prize) you must pay attention to before you pay to play. The huge prizes you see are not necessarily the ones you get as the winner. There’s the fine print, that’s very fine.

It’s Your festival is a great way to spend the evening if you’re not away on vacation or at the cottage for the Canada Day weekend (or weekend closest to the Canada Day holiday). Head over to the beer tent, get a cold beverage and with it’s close proximity to the live music area, enjoy the vibes. Be a bit daring and try one of the many international dishes on sale… try something new and unique that you’d never give a second thought to before. If crafts are your thing, you’ll be in bliss as there’s a lot of vendors who offer many “crafty” options. Besides the midway, the kids could enjoy a ride on a pony or try their talents at the singing/virtual booths put on by “Family Channel” and the other music tents.

Entry to the event is free, but there’s a fee for parking and on average the food, drink, frozen desserts and beer is about 15-20% higher than what you’d normally pay outside an event like this. It’s usually very hot as it’s very open to the elements, so pack water and remember to dress light and wear sunblock.

What: It’s Your Festival

Where: Gage Park Hamilton

Contact organizers: 149 Main Street East, Suite #101, Hamilton Ontario L8N 1G4 Tel: 905.525.2297 Fax: 905.525.0066

Cost : Free (paid parking available)

When: Usually coincides with Canada Day celebrations (weekend closest to Canada Day. 3-4 days in total)

Getting there:

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Don’t forget to join us on Facebook to keep updated on things to do in Ontario and locally within your city or town. All you have to do is click on the Facebook image below to connect. If you’d like to share your experience at It’s your Festival, do so in the comment section provided below, as we’d love to hear from you.

If you’re looking for decent Caribbean food from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago and you don’t have a vacation booked to visit the islands, you must check out Drupati’s Doubles and Roti shop in Toronto. Though I won’t recommend that you plan a night out to have dinner here, since it’s a very small and busy establishment and they just don’t cater to in-house dining. I’ve visited this spot a few times now and I’ve always been pleased with what we ordered.  Dishes such as roti with an assortment of curry meats, doubles, pholourie, Caribbean style stews and a variety of vegetarian dishes with a unique Indo Caribbean twist. Read the full story

A stormy weekend packed with one of the best lighting storms I’ve ever witnessed, hail and torrential downpours could not keep us away form this years Festival of Friends at Gage park in Hamilton Ontario. After-all this was the very same festival that I met Caron all those years ago. It was our anniversary and I just had to go relive that amazing day. This time however we went as a family and not two youngsters looking for summer love.

The weather was horrible the entire 3 days of the festival, but as the skies cleared up on the Sunday we made our way down. There was the normal search for parking in the surrounding streets for the “cheapos” like us, but there was also paid parking within the park itself.

The festival, though well organized from the outside (looking in), seemed to have lost something. Maybe it’s because we’re older now and we’re looking at things differently, but it didn’t have that once lively vibe to it. I couldn’t but a handle to it, but it did seem a bit commercial. Read the full story

I’d like to start off by saying thanks to Steven Weir and the media services at the Caribana offices for granting us media accreditation for the Caribana events, even though we were a bit late in applying. As a son of the soil of the Caribbean islands, Caribana and other such events are dear to me. My sister who’s also actively involved in many Caribana events as a food vendor was also there that night, so was I doing double duty as a media rep for OntarioAlive.com and assistant cook for my sister’s food stall.

We’re notorious for never being on time or organized and it was proven again here this night. As I made my way around the stadium (Allan Lamport Stadium) it was clear that none of the security or people wearing the event shirts had any clue where I should go to get my media badge. After a relentless search I was told that last year the media desk was setup at the far end of the stage. Finally I had my badge and briefed as to what the badge gave me access to. Read the full story

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.