Five fun things to do this weekend - Aug. 5-7
Eating corn and listening to the blues could be a great way to spend the weekend
Kitchener Blues Fest
6 p.m. – 11 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4
6 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5
12 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6
10:30 a.m. – late afternoon, Sunday, Aug. 7
Downtown Kitchener
Blues Fest kicks off this year with a ticketed concert featuring Eric Burdon and The Animals, but the rest of the weekend's festivities are free. Three stages will feature the likes of Big Sugar, Third Coast Kings, GRBS Blues Camp, Pat Travers, a Sunday morning gospel performance, Cowboy Junkies and Chilliwack. Be sure to also check out the 12 Bar Blues line-up, where musicians are in local restaurants and pubs, the children's stage and the workshops. Also, stop by the tent outside the CBC KW office at 117 King Street West and say hello!
Cambridge Ribfest
11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5
11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6
11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 7
Riverside Park, Cambridge
Mmm, smell that? It's ribs at Riverside Park in Cambridge this weekend – a meat lover's dream! Admission is free but donations are accepted. Along with fall-off-the-bone ribs and all the sides you desire (there are options for vegetarians, too!), there is also live entertainment and a KidZone play area. This year, there will be a classic car show Saturday afternoon, free valet bicycle parking and a free GRT bus transfer offer.
Baden Corn Fest
7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6
Various locations, Baden
Corn season has begun and this fourth annual event celebrates everything to do with the popular local crop. Corn-inspired obstacle courses, kid zone, firefighters' breakfast, scavenger hunt, corn maze and a corn roast supper are part of the all-day event along with wagon rides, animal displays and live entertainment. Grab the family and don't worry about acting corny – it's all part of the fun.
Craft Beer Run
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr.
There may be no more refreshing way to celebrate a run in the heat than with a cold beer. If that's the way you think, this event is for you. The 3 km race will include craft brewery obstacles including a keg toss, mini beer can golf and life-sized pong. Local breweries taking part include Innocente, Block 3, Descendants, Elora Brewing, KW Craft Cider, Abe Erb and Stone Hammer. Register ahead of time for a discounted price or full price on Saturday morning. Spectators welcome.
Drayton Fair
5 p.m. doors open, Friday, Aug. 5
7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6
7:30 a.m. – late afternoon, Sunday, Aug. 7
Fairgrounds, 49 Elm Street, Drayton
Agricultural fair season kicks off with the 160th Drayton Fair. Yes, it's been going since Victoria was the Queen and roads were like corduroy. Heavy horse shows, tractor pulls, pet and baby shows, exhibits of crafts and baked goods, livestock shows, beer garden and a demolition derby are all part of a weekend of fun.