Unlike last year when we covered quite a few fall fairs around the region, this year the only one we had time for was the Brampton Fall Fair. If you recall we did features on the Ancaster Fair, Caledonia Fair and the Niagara Regional Exhibition but due to scheduling problems we were unable to continue covering one of my favorite things to do when the weather gets cooler. Tehya and Dan did go to the Ancaster Fair, so you’ll be able to see footage from that on the OntarioAlive Video Channel very shortly.

With a short drive down the QEW on this cool Saturday afternoon, we were greeted at the gates by volunteer staff to the free parking area which was steps away from all the action. We made our way through the midway area where kids were screaming with joy on the many rides. Besides the entry fee to get into the fair, also note that you must purchase tickets to get on the rides. Here’s where you can also try your hands at the many games where you can win and assortment of cuddly stuffed animals.

Since we didn’t come for the midway we breezed through and headed to the area where the animals, crafts and other things you’d expect to find at a country fair. Heading towards one of the main buildings (looks like huge barns) we passed by the small area dedicated to food and with one look at the pulled pork sandwiches on sale, we were mesmerized. After a minute to regain our focus… we were back heading towards the building with the animals.

It seems the Brampton Fair with it’s deep history (158 years old) is not as big as some of the other fairs we’ve been too and the small amount of animals on display reflected that. Yes there was a fairly large assortment of chicken, birds, sheep and cows to see, but we felt as if something was missing. However, do keep in mind that we’re sort of Fair veterans!

It was a bit of an overcast day so you’ll notice that the pictures are not as vibrant as they normally are when we do a feature…

I totally forgot about my allergies, so after a few minutes within the animals area I had to leave as I didn’t have any Benadryl and I wasn’t about to dare my sneezing and headaches to start. Tehya and Caron remained with the baby chicken as I headed over to sort of market area where people were selling anything from roasted peanuts to guys with heating and cooling units for your house. A bit too commercial for me, but I had to kill time for Caron and Tehya to arrive and browse the many stalls.

We didn’t make it for some of the main attractions like the Demolition Derby and antique tractor show, but while Tehya was ordering her pulled pork sandwich I had a chat with a young family who mentioned that they thoroughly enjoyed the Derby. Speaking about pulled pork… after browsing the craft section and the display they had of vegetables kids from local schools submitted for judging, we headed back to the mesmerizing aroma of the grilled food.

We were scheduled to do a feature on an Indian restaurant in a couple hours so I didn’t partake in what looked like a mouth-watering sandwich paired with fresh cut fries. According to Tehya and Caron, the tender heap of pulled pork, smothered in BBQ sauce on a kaiser was just outstanding. I even noticed one of them licking their fingers.. I wont call names.

Overall the Brampton Fair is a great way to spend a cool afternoon in Ontario, with the opportunity to see some of the local produce, livestock and crafts on display. The buzz of activity and fun at the midway is truly a spot where kids can have fun while parents go broke… but so is the price of having fun with your family!

Brampton Fall Fair is presented by The Region of Peel Agricultural Society and can be found at:

12942 Heart Lake Road Caledon, ON L7C 2J3

For more info on scheduled events, entry fees and other helpful info on planning your trip to the annual Brampton Fall Fair, check out their website at http://www.bramptonfair.com

The 2011 entry fees to the Brampton fair is as follows:

Day Pass

Adults $10.00
Seniors and Students $8.00
Children Under 12 $2.00
Parking Free

Four Day Pass

Adults $20.00
Seniors and Students $15.00
Children Under 12 $5.00

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Brampton Fair ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to attend our very first “band launch” and it turned out to be a spectacular event, put on by the Toronto Revellers Mas Band. Basically a ‘mas band” is an organized group of masqueraders who take part in a street carnival of some sort, in extravagant costumes skilfully created by designers from the ‘band”. For the band launch itself, think – runway fashion show with the latest designs in costume for the season.

According to wikipedia…

Caribana is a festival of Caribbean culture and traditions held each summer in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Annually, Caribana draws hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the globe to Toronto’s lakeshore. Caribana is a Caribbean Carnival event, that has been billed as North America’s largest street festival, frequented by over 1.3 million visitors each year for the festival’s final parade.

As you arrived at the event, you were greeted by friendly security who guided you through the doors of a massive tent with the wonderful sound of soca in the back ground. We were a bit early and though they were still going through last minutes preparations, there was a wonderful vibe in the air. To the left as you walked in was the bar and food station, directly in front was a massive stage  and the far right was the dj who was responsible for that “vibe” I mentioned earlier. This was carded as an outdoor event and if you know anything about Canada in the Spring.. it’s cold. The question on our mind on the drive to the event was, “how will they pull this off being so cold?”

The massive tent was either heated or with the overall excitement and later the crowd, we were quite comfortable. This temporary venue felt very intimate, but roomy at the same time. Carded to start at 11.30 pm I believe, it was a much later when the hosts for the night finally got things going. If you arrived early as we did, you lucked out with some prime seating adjacent to the stage, with the best vantage point of the night. As I looked around as the show got started I soon realize that  a huge crowd had gathered this night, all with with a clear sign of anticipation on their minds.

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There was a very coordinated flow to the show and with the arrival of each section on stage, mixed in with the music supplied by the dj.. this event was now rocking. Still boggles my mind as to how these models in their costume and high heels navigated what seemed like a slippery surface on the runway. All to the beat of a themed song for their presentation. We had gone through all the sections… Courage, Lullaby, Heartless, Dorothy, Emerald City, Wizards Fury, Glinda & Lollipop Guild, Over the Rainbow, Ruby, Scarecrow, Weathering the Storm, Wicked & Winkie Guard, Witch of the East & Fly and Yellow Brick Road and were left wanting more. The crowd was captivated by some amazing design work, which kept to the overall theme for the most part. OZ was interpreted and created by the designers in such a way that even as a novice I could understand the logic behind the designs and what they were trying to portray.

After the show which lasted about 40 minutes, we had the opportunity to see all the costumes on the models even more upclose as they mingled with us during the after party and even took time to take pictures with you, if you so desired. By this time the volume of the music was turned up, people were dancing and having a good time, but I was on the hunt for a plate of that food which caught the attention of my senses earlier. At $5 a plate, you could not go wrong with a wonderful mix (sort of combo plate) of West Indian style Chinese food.

It was close to 2 am when we forced ourselves to leave. The party was at it’s peak at this point and we were engulfed in “vibe” which by now had reached critical levels,  but we had a long drive home.

Caribana happens every year during the Civic Holiday weekend in Ontario, Canada. The official parade date for 2011 is Saturday July 30th on Lakeshore Blvd. in Toronto.  Future dates are: 2012 – Saturday August 4 | 2013 – Saturday August 3 | 2014 – Saturday August 2 | 2015 – Saturday August 1

To learn more about Toronto Revellers or to be part of their mas presentation for Caribana 2011, you can visit their “mas Camp” at

2135 Sheppard Avenue E.
North York (Toronto), ON M2J 1W6
@ Consumers Road (Between Victoria Park and DVP)

From what we saw and experienced this night, I can only praise the Toronto Revellers group for a job well done. Your professionalism was apparent in the way you produced such a vibrant and effectively run event. The offerings for Caribana 2011 in your OZ them are beautiful and very creative. The hospitality which was extend to us is very much appreciated.

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This past Fall saw us attend many of the local fairs in the area, so when we contacted the Caledonia Fair and they gave us the ok to come down and cover the event for our readers, we jumped at the opportunity. Like other such events in the area, the Caledonia fair is spread out over a weekend and though we intended on taking the drive out to Caledonia on the Saturday, the weather was just not cooperating. It was a cold and rainy weekend and though the same continued into Sunday, we had no choice but to brave the inclement weather.

It was a cold, overcast and rainy Sunday morning when we arrived, but the elements seem to add to the overall atmosphere of the fair. I guess the farmers can’t have the weather dictate their everyday life, so why should it their showcase event. I could easily see that there would be serious parking woes if the weather was better, but since it wasn’t busy we got parking on the street very easily. As we made our way to the gates we doubted if the event was even open for the day yet, with the sparse crowd we saw inside. That looked more like staff and volunteers, than actual attendees. At least we had the entire place to ourselves.

Like the other fairs we covered (see below for links to those) this one had similar events and things to see. However the older buildings, the wide variety of baked goods and crafts, as well the slight drizzle of rain,  gave this one a traditional feel. Yes, it was a bit muddy as you walked over to where they were judging the livestock, but I somehow got a sort of “natural” feeling as I tried keep my shoes clean.

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Some firsts for me included, a funky colored chicken (see pics above), the largest pumpkin I’ve ever laid eyes on and sheep dressed in this sort of hooded coat where only their eyes were showing. Kinda freaky, but neat at the same time. It was also clear that the children in the surrounding area are very much involved in the fair, as there was a huge selection of submitted entries of crafts, baked goods and artwork. Kudos to the kids for their contributions to this wonderful event.

I can only imagine how spectacular an event this would be on a more sunny day, with the beautiful surroundings being situated directly on the banks of Grand River. We didn’t make time for any of the food that was on sale, now did we stick around for any of the derby events, but I know from speaking with other attendees that these events are quite lively and exciting to watch. This means we’ll have to make the trip again next year, providing the weather is better.

FYI, the Caledonia fair is organized and run by the Caledonia Agricultural Society and it’s in it’s 138 year. Here’s what the organizers have to say…

Every year at the fairgrounds on Highway 54 in Caledonia, we combine the traditions of the country fair – livestock shows, homecraft, food and the midway – with continuous entertainment to make Caledonia Fair a perfect Autumn outing for the entire family. From homemade pie to heavy horses – we have it all.

Caledonia Fair Info:

151 Caithness St E.
Caledonia, ON N3W 1C2
Phone: (905) 765-6861

Admission rates: http://www.caledoniafair.ca/PHP/admission.php

Getting there:

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“Can’t wait to go t the ballet!” People who know me would think I’m going bonkers if they ever heard me say this, but that’s reality now. Every Christmas season the Nutcracker comes to town and I’ve always wanted to experience it, but never really gave it much more than a thought. However after seeing Mao’s Last Dancer, I can’t wait to go to my first ballet production.

A few weeks back The Art Gallery Of Hamilton put on their annual World Film Festival and we were invited to cover it on OntarioAlive.com. Have you heard of the World Film Festival, put on every year in Hamilton? Unlike the Toronto Film Festival which is all over the news every fall, this festival is only just gaining some notoriety. Though we didn’t have time to go to any of the other shows or to any of the planned parties, it was such a wonderful experience that we can’t wait until next year.

The festival takes place across the city: at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Mohawk College’s STARRT Institute and McIntyre Theatre, Empire Jackson Square, Westdale Theatre, Ancaster Silvercity, and there’s even free movies shown on the street (check official website for locations and show times).

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After checking out the movie trailers which were going to be featured at this year’s event, we were intrigued by Mao’s Last Dancer and marked it our calendar to not this miss this presentation. After arriving at the Westdale Theatre and hurriedly finding parking on the street as there’s no designated parking, we realize that we were a bit early. So we had enough time to browse and get a feel for the chatter the others who were here for the show had to say about this movie and the others presented during the film festival. The Westdale Theatre was like stepping back in time, before digital surround sound and mega screen as we’ve now grown accustom to. A lovely setting and I could only imagine how grand this place was back in it’s hey-days. The seats were not the most comfortable and I’m sure the patrons at the back of us got annoyed at me for constantly having to move due to my fidgeting. But I wouldn’t change using this venue in the future, since it does give the film festival a sort of romantic ambiance. When movies were appreciated for the acting, directing and story telling and not the cgi stuff we’re bombarded with today.

Mao’s Last Dancer was an amazing movie and if this was any indication of the quality of movies at this years festival, I’m sure it was an overall success. I believe that 30 movies were screened in 10 days.  Films include The Coca–Cola Case, Ajami, Everything Is Fine, Captain Abu Raed, I Am Love, Mother, The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Rude, Pax Americana, Mao’s Last Dancer, Six Miles Deep, Tokyo Sonata, Amandala!, Police Adjective, The Necessities of Life, Animal Kingdom, Fish Tank, L’Affare Farewell, Land, Life During War Time, Life is Rosy, The Maid, Mid–August Lunch, Please Give, Poor Boy’s Game, Rocking Popenguine, Rudio Y Crusi, The Square, Tehroun, and White Ribbon.  Just wish we had time to catch a couple more, especially Captain Abu Reid, which did look like it had some promise from the trailer we saw.

The Art gallery Of Hamilton World Film Festival is one of those events that I highly recommend that you not miss! It’s your chance to support the arts in Hamilton and at the same time enjoy movies that you’d probably miss, since many of them are independent and not mass marketed. It’s very affordable at only $10 a showing and the events are well organized.

For the 2011 event, be sure to check out their official website at: www.aghfilmfest.com as I’m sure they’ll have updates on there very soon. Come out and support the Art Gallery Of Hamilton and the World Film Festival.

The days are shorter, the nights are cooler and the leaves are starting to change colours. Yes, it’s fall and that means it’s time to connect with the rural communities through the various fall fairs in the region. This would be our first visit to the Niagara Regional Exhibition and it all came about after our friends had purchased a pulled pork sandwich at the Hamilton Mustard Festival. They convinced us that we had to try it and it so happened that the same pit master was going to be at the NRE. Absolutely YES, the pork was amazing, but the brisket was even better.

Getting there was easy enough as we had done our research as far as directions go (see below for address and directions) and since we arrived around noon it was not very busy so parking was easy enough to find on site (and free). However the $9.00 entry fee was a bit steep when you consider that we left thinking that there wasn’t much substance to this exhibition.

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We went with the expectations of seeing prize winning animals, like cows, horses, sheep etc but besides for the large variety of chickens, there was only a small petting area with a few animals (see pics above). Though it was not what we expected, the reptile area was very impressive and it was my first real exposure to so many snakes and the star of the show… a massive turtle. This giant had a prehistoric look to it and it gave some insight as to what our world may have looked like when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

According to the borchure we received of the weekend’s events, there were a few planned activities, but due to timing we didn’t see any (maybe this explians why we felt that there wasn’t much to the exhibition). There was the usual midway for kids and a few fast food options, including the bbq I mentioned at the start of this review.

The juggler or the unicycle seemed to be a hit with the kids, as well as the many police officers who were on their cool motorbikes.

Address:

1100 NIAGARA ST
Welland, Ontario L3C 1M6

Entry Prices:

Adults – $9.00
Seniors – $6.00
11 – 17 yrs -$7.00
6 – 10 yrs -$1.00
5 and under – Free

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What a lovely summer we’ve had this year in Southern Ontario. With beautiful sunny skies, temperatures where one could actually enjoy going to the “beach” and relax by the pool. This also meant time to enjoy all the exciting events that make summer so much fun. After the  Port Credit Boat Show, we headed down the QEW to the Winona Peach Festival as we were unable to make the trip last year due to scheduling issues.

We arrived at the designated parking area where it cost us $10 to park and we then caught the shuttle that took us into the park. As mentioned it’s been a great summer, but this also meant a very dusty ride to the event with the shuttle. The parking area is an open field where it was like a dust bowl and it’s good thing I didn’t just wash my car or I’d be mad. I could only imagine the mess had it rained. School type buses were used to shuttle guests over to the park and it was well planned, as we didn’t have to wait long for a bus in either direction. Basically you catch the return bus in the same location you’re dropped off at… what I thought was the main entrance to the festival itself.

It was about 2 pm by the time we entered the park and it was already packed. Rows and rows of vendors were crowded and it was somewhat difficult to navigate at times, especially when there was a crowd in front of any of the vendor stalls. Only confirms what I read… that there’s over 200,000 visitors to the event every year. Speaking with friends I learned that in the evening it gets even more crowded and it’s like this all weekend.

Besides being here to get a feel for the event so I could include this review, we were here for the peach ice cream sundaes. Like a marksman scoping out his target, our senses went into action. Don’t ask me how we did it, since we never used any of the signs posted but within minutes we were in line paying for our famous peach festival sundae (See pics below).

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Personally I’m not a fan of peaches so I didn’t indulge, but for $5 you’re rewarded with a huge serving of ice cream, topped with peaces and whip cream. according to Caron, Toni and Marko.. it hit the spot. Tehya and I settled for some of the soda (The Poppe Shop) that came in actual glass bottle and were quite happy with our treat (see pics above as well).

As we made our way through the park I was a bit disappointed with how commercial the entire event was. Toni had been here in the past and she also shared my observation and disappointment. Sure there were the crafts area, the midway for the kids, the car show (nothing to really speak about) and ED Smith Fun Factory, but something was still missing. From the looks on people’s faces, you could tell that they were not enjoying themselves… but that’s just my opinion I guess. There were no smiles, no stopping to say hello and with the crowds, people were just annoyed at being bumped-into.

However I must say that the food selection and variety was excellent and there was a true international flair to what was offered. And it also seems that the bingo tent was a hit, as it was packed the few times we went pass it when strolling through the maze of vendors.

I think we were also fooled by the term “peach festival” as we went expecting more “peach” and it really didn’t deliver. Except for the peach sundaes there wasn’t much else that focused on the star of the festival.. peaches. Where were the preserves, the pies, the cobblers and the other baked goods? And where was this famous “Peach Queen”?

I wouldn’t declare this a waste of my time as I thoroughly enjoy any time I can spend with my family and friends, but with the crowds and commercial feel, I’m not sure that I’ll be back next year. And though I’m not into crafts, I must say that the crafts of sale had a sort of “made in china” look to them.

Festival location: 1328 Barton St Hamilton, ON L8E 5L2, Canada

Mail: Winona Peach Festival
P.O. Box 10505
Winona, Ontario
L8E 5R1

If you’re using public transport to get to the festival, I believe that there’s usually a free HSR (Hamilton Street Railway) shuttle that runs from Eastgate Square to the park during the festival.

Festival location: 1328 Barton St Hamilton, ON L8E 5L2, Canada

Mail: Winona Peach Festival
P.O. Box 10505
Winona, Ontario
L8E 5R1

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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