Kate's 5 fun things to do this long weekend (Aug. 3-6)
Hard to believe the Civic Holiday weekend is already upon us.
Seriously, where did July go?
If you haven't already made plans to attend a barbecue with friends or head to a campground, here are a few suggestions for ways to enjoy your weekend.
Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music
8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3
1 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5
Mill Race Park and various venues, Cambridge
Check out the five different stages — including the children's stage near city hall — with performances from musicians and dancers. Enjoy a number of workshops and singarounds, with special extras in local pubs, as well as the craft village.
Strummerfest 2018
2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3
2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
Waterloo Public Square
Celebrate the late Joe Strummer of The Clash, raise money for suicide prevention charities and support local and indie musicians at this festival. Enjoy JoJo Worthington, Rose Cora Perry and The Truth Untold, the Craig Dougan Trio, Mr. Jr., The Baudelaires and many more.
Pirate Festival
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 6
Marden Park, 7368 Wellington Rd. 30, Guelph
Yar! Enjoy live music, learn the history of the high seas, listen to pirate fairy tales, watch a fighting prowess display, kick up your heels with some dancing and you can do it all with an eye patch … if you want. You don't have to, though. You can just go have some swashbuckling fun. Family fun during the day, but there's a raucous pirate party at the Captain's Keg Saturday night.
From Farmers' Plot to Restaurant Pot
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
Waterloo Public Library, 35 Albert St., Waterloo
Celebrate Food Day Canada by talking a walking tour with the library's local history manager, Janet Seally. Check out everything from restaurants to grocery stores to bakeries and even breweries. The library warns: This tour might make you hungry so be sure to make local lunch plans.
John Galt Day
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4
Market Square, Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden St., Guelph
John Galt founded Guelph and to celebrate, enjoy this family friendly event. It includes live entertainment by Theatre Arcturus and Bob Cates, face painting by Cleo the Clown, T-shirt printing, outreach with Guelph's artist in residence team KIAM, free admission to Guelph Museums and more.
Long weekend extras
It really can be hard to keep this list to just five things because there are so many amazing things going on. So this long weekend, I am going to break the rules — gasp! — and give you a few extra ideas.
Pints for Paws at Wellington Brewery in Guelph on Saturday afternoon combines craft beer with raising money for the Fred Victor — Helping People Find Place and Purpose.
Check out snakes, frogs and turtles at the Amazing Animals event at Laurel Creek Conservation Area and Elora Gorge Park on Saturday. There are other fun events at various Grand River Conservation Authority parks, too. Regular admission rates apply.
Take a drive up to Grand Valley where the Fire Fighters' Association of Ontario convention is going on. It includes public games and competitions, a parade and antique fire truck muster. Happening Saturday and Sunday.
Take in the weekly community market day with local artisans at Fresh Ground in downtown Kitchener on Saturday.
Enjoy some craft beer and music:
- Heather Valley is playing at TWB Co-operative Brewing Sunday afternoon.
- Liv Gains is playing Rhythm and Brews in Cambridge Sunday afternoon.
- Lance Eckensweiler is at Descendants Beer and Beverage Co. in Kitchener Saturday afternoon.
Are you from Kincardine and feel like going for a drive this weekend? Kincardine Old Boys & Girls Reunion, which is held every 10 years, is on with events right through to Monday. I found their website a bit slow to load so here's the Facebook page, too.