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.

I must confess, though their curry dishes are probably the best (Caribbean style) you can get in Toronto (possibly outside Trinidad and Tobago), their stew dishes like chicken, red bean and fish as well as their callaloo is somewhat mediocre. But then, I’m a budding chef who specializes in these foods so I can be a bit more objective. And I’ve been spoiled by my mom who’s an expert in Caribbean cooking.

Contact Details:

Drupati’s Doubles & Roti Shop

925 ALBION RD, Toronto, ON M9V 1A6

Phone: 416-745-4189

You MUST Order.

1. The doubles. I’ve had doubles from Trinidad, Miami, NY and Toronto and without a doubt the doubles at Drupati’s can rival the best from Trinidad and Tobago, the home of doubles. The bara, curried chickpeas and the wonderful hot sauce that makes up the doubles at Drupati’s is simply mouth watering.

2. The Pholourie. Little dough balls deep fried and served hot, with spicy dipping sauce.

3. Don’t miss out on getting a chicken roti. Though many people tend to get the boneless (white meat) I love the added flavour you get from the “boned” chicken roti. Basically a flatbread stuffed (folded) with curry potato and chicken cooked in a rich curry sauce. The type of curry you can only find in the Caribbean. Not as pungent as many of the East Indian curries, but loaded with flavour. Plus the herbs used in pre seasoning and marinating the meats are very unique to the Caribbean.

4. Snacks – There’s kurma, pone (a cassava cake), preserved fruits (like red mango,and plum) and how could one forget the currant roll. That wonderful pastry filled with currants, in layers.

5. Their bus-up-shut roti is well done as well.

Some Negatives…

- closes on a Monday. Don’t people eat on Mondays in Toronto?

- establishment is very small and the interior is very basic. No money or creativity was spent on this place. If you’re new to Caribbean (pick up your order and leave) type restaurants, you’d even think the place was dirty from the lack of any real care as far as the customer’s experience is concerned.

- I’m not sure if it’s vented well, but I hate smelling like curry when I leave the restaurant. On entering you’re overwhelmed with the smell of what’s cooking in the back and that smell does stay on your clothes. Now, don’t get me wrong.. I love walking into a restaurant and getting the rich scent of food cooking.. but this was a bit overbearing.

- parking is a HUGE problem, as the sort of strip mall the restaurant is located in is very busy with all the ethnic type stores.

Overall, some of the best food from the Caribbean you’ll get outside Trinidad and Tobago (Indo Caribbean) and though the place can be very busy, orders are filled very fast by very friendly staff. By the traffic that goes through this restaurant, you know the food must be good.

BTW, you can also purchase food in large quantities in the event you’re having  a large gathering at your home. I would suggest you call in your order to ensure they can fill it and to avoid having to wait.

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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.

Food, music, beer and tons of crafty type shopping were abundant and “pricey”. Maybe it was the heat or the fact that we’ve had a crappy summer so far, but people didn’t seem to be in a good mood. No smiles, no groups of people just chatting and the few who were taking in the live performers seemed to be disassociated from the performers. The performers hardly ever got a reaction from the crowd when they tried to get them involved.

Some pics, followed by some additional info about the event itself and the record they were trying to break.

Besides the obvious spiritless mood of the people at the festival this day, the vendors were full of vigor and willing to accommodate you to close in on that sale. From jewelery to carvings, sketches and an assortment of crafts on sale, you did have a wide selection to choose from. The kids all seem to be enjoying themselves at the rides and at the many ice cream trucks that were there. Same could be said for the adults at the beer tent that was to the right side of the main stage/bandshell.

Gage park is also widely known for it’s amazing rose garden, so you also had the option of strolling though and taking some pics with your family. I must say though that the roses were not as vibrant as they normally are and I suspect that this is due to the strange weather we’ve had this summer.

The bench that Caron and I sat on that memorable night is now gone and the festival may have lost it’s appeal to me/us, but it’s still an integral part of life in this wonderful city we call home. Though I won’t list it as a “must-do”, it’s still a good option for a summers evening to take in some live performances and enjoy the sights!

Some of the live performer included:

David Wilcox
The Road Hammers
Steven Page
Finger 11
Crystal Shawanda
Kim Mitchell
Leon Redbone
The Wilkinsons

Festival of Friends, place and time:

Gage Park, Hamilton Ontario.
Noon – 11 pm
August 7, 8 and 9th.

World Record Attemptt – Largest Guitar Ensemble. Germany – 1802 playing “smoke on the water” simultaneously. It was the goal of the organizers to try and beat the Guinness record set in Germany, but they fell short after the final tally.

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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.

Other small glitches that night was a somewhat late start and during the actual event, there were some issues with band leaders (king, queen etc) not going onto stage in the order they were supposed to. But if a costume is not ready, there’s not much organizers could do.

Overall a great show full of  culture and people just having a good time with friends and family as they were entertained by the mas people and the booming sounds of the Caribbean. One cannot forget the opportunity to experience the cuisine from the Caribbean and Latin American region. Besides the normal, doubles, bake and shark, roti and assortment of curry side dishes, the jerk chicken with peas and rice, one could also enjoy deep fried plantain (so good) with Spanish rice and BBQ chicken smothered in that wonderful Latin American sauce. The scent bellowing from the various food vendors was like a signal to your senses, urging you to get something to eat. Even if you just had dinner before arriving at the event.

After my camera battery died (thus the lack of more pics) and I made my way into the stands and food area it was very clear that people were having fun, even the police that were in attendance were mixing with the people and stole a minute or two to dance along to the pulsating soca music. While on the topic of police, I was also very impressed at the number of security and event staff that were everywhere giving the event a very safe and organized feel.

Here are some of the pics I was able to take before my camera batteries died on me. Yes, I did take 2 cameras, but as luck would have it they both were low on power.

People started lining up very early to sample many of the food options this night. This spot “Famous Recipe” was one of the more popular options, and from speaking with customers they all claimed that the top choice was the bake and shark and/or the bake and saltfish. For me it was the roti with curry potato and chicken. Directly across this food stall were free samples of sorrel drink… something you must try if you ever get the chance to.

I would strongly recommend that you make this event as well as the many other Caribana events a must-do on your summer to-do list. This is Toronto and Canada at it’s best and don’t feel that if you’re not from the Caribbean region you would feel excluded. Everyone were very welcoming and as I mentioned above it a good way to learn and experience some of the wonderful culture and diversity that makes us so uniquely Canadian.

For more on the 2009 Scotia Bank Toronto Caribana, you can visit the Caribana website.

For a full list of the winners at the King and Queen event, click here.

On the Thursday evening before Caribana Day the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any participant to be enthroned the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2009. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty.

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.

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.

]]> http://ontarioalive.com/the-2009-hamilton-wingfest/feed/ 1 http://ontarioalive.com/hamilton-public-library-central-location/ http://ontarioalive.com/hamilton-public-library-central-location/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:45:33 +0000 admin http://ontarioalive.com/?p=114 This morning as we walked through Jackson Square to pay a parking ticket that Caron got a few days back we decided to hit the Farmers Market. As we approached the market we noticed that it was closed for renovations (as soon as it’s open again, I’ll post a review), but in the same direction to the market is the central location for the Hamilton public library system.

I have very fond memories of that library. That was my connection to all the international soccer when there wasn’t much media coverage as there is now in Canada. All the soccer magazines could be found there. A couple months behind… but at least I got my fix. I’d grab a bunch of magazines, then go to the audio department to get some groovy tunes  to listen to while I read. All you had to do was hand the attendant your library card and they would loan you the head phones.

This was a bit before computers and the internet became mainstream, so this was also my spot for doing homework and research on projects etc. As our girls came along, we’d take them every Saturday to play in the kids area and grab books for them to read and for us to read to them.

Do people still go to the library? Get to know the Hamilton Public Library.

Location (there are 2 entrances. 1 from inside the Jackson Square mall and the other from York Blvd.

55 York Blvd.
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4E4
Phone: 905-546-3200
Fax:     905-546-3202

Hrs of Operation.

Mon.:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tue.:   9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wed.: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thu.:   9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Fri.:    9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sat.:   9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sun.:  1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Computer/Internet Bookings: 905-546-3232

Collections Available

Adult Literacy Materials
Career Information Collection
Children’s collection
City Directory
Fiction books (hardcover and paperback)
Large Print Collection
Learning Centre (English as a second language materials, including TOEFL kits)
Leonardo Sciascia Room
Multi-media Collection (videos, DVDs, books on CD & cassette, CD-Roms, language kits, international language videos)
Multilingual Collection (books, newspapers & magazines in languages other than English)
Music on CD
Non-fiction books in numbered sequence 000 to 999
Picture Collection
Sheet Music
Teen Territory

Services

Art Exhibition Space
Book Drop (when library closed)
Disability Information Service Helpline (DISH)
Internet Workstations
Piano Practice Room
Public Phones (Main floor lobby including one TTY phone)
Local History and Archives
Wireless Access Available:  Homework Help Area (2nd Floor) and Local History and Archives (3rd Floor)

Programs

Book Clubs:
The Hamilton Public Library offers over 40 book clubs in our branches and supports many book clubs in the community.

Book Sales:
Enjoy library seasonal Book Sales.

Computer Classes:
Small group training programs at Central Library and other branches.  Check the details for every season!

Programs available at the Central Library and surrounding Hamilton area..

Story Time Registration

We offer story times for different age groups.

Maybe next time I’ll ensure I have some extra time to go and reconnect with the library and all it has to offer.