Six things you can do in the Hamilton area this weekend
School's over and summer is officially here. You can expect mostly sunny skies and daytime temperatures around the 28 degree mark through the weekend. Environment Canada is calling for a 40 per cent chance of showers on Saturday. Keep your sun hat on for these six things you can do in the Hamilton area.
WARPLANE MUSEUM
Good news for aircraft enthusiasts: the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is opening its doors to visitors once again. New hours and safety protocols will be in place. You will be required to wear a mask (if you don't have one, one will be provided) and acknowledge spacing lines and route markers. There will be Plexiglas shields in service areas and all interactive elements are closed including the virtual reality exhibit. The museum, 9280 Airport Rd., in Mount Hope, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Regular admission rates apply.
- Feel the rumble on Canada Day. The Lancaster will take to the air (weather permitting) July 1, 11 a.m., in a flight dedicated to the memory of Capt. Jenn Casey of the Snowbirds and for the 75th Anniversary of VE-Day. The Lancaster's route will be from Hamilton over Niagara Falls, across the lake to Toronto, around the CN Tower and back to Hamilton.
DRIVE-IN
Our local drive-in has now opened its concession stands and has lined up some way-back playback for this weekend and through Canada Day to July 2. Think Grease," Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Jaws," and Jurassic Park" on Wednesday/Thursdays and the usual double features like Jumanji: The Next Level," The Hunt," The Invisible Man" and more on the weekend. You can find the schedule and admission for each of the three Starlite screens by visiting premiertheatres.ca/starlite. While the concession stand is now open, participants still cannot sit outside their vehicle. Tickets are available online only - you cannot buy your ticket at the gate. COVID-19 restrictions are in place for safety. No outside food is allowed. The Starlite Drive-in is located at 59 Green Mountain Rd. E., in Stoney Creek.
GARTH BROOKS
Country fans will want to check into the Garth Brooks concert screening on Screen 1 at the Stoney Creek Starlite Drive-in this Saturday. Tickets to this event are $135 for a six-person carload. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
WALK-A-THON
Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada is hosting their 36th annual Walk of Life event on Saturday, June 27. This year it's virtual but that shouldn't stop you from lacing up some shoes and hitting the sidewalk to raise awareness and funds for heart health. Choose to walk 1, 3, or 5 km, run for 5 km, or do some physical activity for at least 30 minutes. Registration includes a T-shirt, warm up video, live video of kickoff and an information session. Visit cardiachealth.ca.
WALKING TOUR
Step lively and enjoy this free walking tour of downtown Hamilton on Sunday. Meet at Sir John A. Macdonald's statue, King and John streets, at 10 a.m. This week's topic is "Canada Day." Everyone welcome. Social distancing and other pandemic regulations will be observed.
LIONS
Keep your fingers and toes in the car and head up to Rockton this weekend. The African Lion Safari has reopened. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Admission is $27.97 and $17.95 for children (12 and under). Enjoy a drive through the game reserves in the comfort of your own vehicle. Bus tours are not available because of COVID-19 restrictions. African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Rd., Hamilton. lionsafari.com
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com