Hamilton happenings for this Civic long weekend; what’s open and closed
Salute the long weekend, the sun is shining bright in Hamilton.
Environment Canada is calling for a 40 per cent chance of showers on Sunday but sunshine on Saturday and Monday to brighten the Civic holiday.
Rain or no, there's lots to do in and around Hamilton this long weekend. Don't forget there's no garbage pick up on Monday and some places will be closed.
PIER 8 POP UP
First up on the Pop-Ups at Pier 8 schedule is a patio day - Sous Bay Sunday" - from 2 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 1 at the old Sarcoa patio at Pier 8. Sous Bas has been closed during COVID and is happy to be participating every Sunday in the pop-up series, according to their Instagram account @sousbas. pier8popups.ca
AUTHORS IN PARK
Hamilton authors are invited to bring themselves and their books to Gore Park on Sunday, to meet, greet, and share their work with the public between 1 and 4 p.m. Everyone welcome, COVID restrictions and masking required. The event is sponsored by Attawandaron, a small press publisher based in Hamilton. attawa.ca
SOMETHING ELSE!
Day two of the Something Else! Festival Series is Saturday at Bayfront Park, 200 Harbour Front Dr. Concerts run from noon to 5 p.m. Featured artists are vocalist Kim Zombik and double bassist Nick Caloia of the Montreal jazz duo Silvervest, and the Ryan Driver Quintet. Suggested donation: $20 at door. Advance ticket: $18 (plus fees) at www.eventbrite.ca. No one will be refused entry for lack of funds. somethingelsefestival.com
STREETS UNLOCKED
Locke Street is open to pedestrians and cyclists between Herkimer and Hunter every Saturday until September. Traffic is blocked between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. for Saturday Unlocked. You can check out store vendors and eat on expanded patios.
NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEAN UP
Help clean up Hamilton's great outdoors. If you'd like to don some gloves, there is a cleanup contest happening with the South Mountain Planning Team @SouthMtnPT from Aug. 4 to 8. To get information on bins or locations email southmountainhamilton@gmail.com.
ARTISANS
Artisan Bazaar Alfresco Summer Series begins this Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., adjacent to the parking lot of the RBG rock garden, 1185 York Blvd. Over 50 artists and artisans with jewelry, pottery, home decor, pet items and fine arts will be open every second Sunday in August. Admission is $2. theartisanbazaar.ca
OUTDOOR ROLLER SKATE
It's open and skate rentals are available. Hamilton's Outdoor Rink at Pier 8 on the waterfront is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 5 to 10 p.m. on weekdays. Hamilton public health recommends all users to keep six-feet apart and that masks are worn while on the rink surface. There will be no DJ service provided this year. No skateboards or bikes allowed on or around the rink area. Skating is free and equipment rentals are available for $4.50 for helmets and $9.50 for skates. You will need government ID to rent.
EMANCIPATION DAY
Hamilton's Afro Canadian Caribbean Association presents a virtual presentation on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. Deeply Rooted: Commemorating Emancipation Day, will feature family orientated entertainment and a discussion with the author and illustrator of Deeply Rooted: A Hamilton Black History Activity Book." Register for this free event with Eventbrite, or call 905-385-0925 for more. https://accahamilton.com
Griffin House remains closed, but is expected to open for tours on Aug. 10.
WALKING TOUR
Join Bill King on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This week's theme is the homes and lives of the poor in 19th century Hamilton. Meet at King and John streets in Gore Park at 10 a.m. Tours are about 90 minutes and everyone is welcome. Pandemic regulations observed.
MOVIES
Your local independent movie theatres are open. Check out the Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., or The Zoetic Theatre, 526 Concession St. And, Hamilton's Starlite Drive-in, 59 Green Mountain Rd., is also running movies all weekend. The People Under the Staircase have also opened screenings in the former Staircase Theatre, they've a penchant for horror and all things spooky so expect some classics on their schedule.
NO FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS
Covid has cancelled Hamilton's long tradition of The Festival of Friends over the long weekend for the second year in a row. We hope to see the Festival return in 2022.
GET VAXXED
Hamiltonians 12 years and older can get their first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by appointment or walk-in. You'll find everything you need to know in Maria Iqbal's story, Pfizer or Moderna? Now you can choose at select Hamilton clinics, on thespec.com.
OPEN AND CLOSED MONDAY
Monday's Civic Holiday is not a statutory holiday, but it's still a summer long weekend. You will find some retail stores open and operating on holiday hours Monday, Aug. 2.
Hamilton and Burlington do not have green bin, blue box or garbage pickup Monday. Pickups will be one day later than usual.
Community recycling centres and transfer stations are closed Monday.
All City of Hamilton and Burlington administrative offices will be closed Monday.
No mail collection or delivery.
Ontario Works Program, including the Special Supports Program, will be closed on Monday.
All City of Hamilton recreation centres, senior centres and arenas are closed.
Hamilton indoor pools and wading pools are closed.
Outdoor pools will operate for normal hours on Monday.
Supie program closed on Monday.
Burlington's indoor pools are closed. Arenas and community centres are closed.
Hamilton Farmers' Market is closed Sunday and Monday.
Hamilton's Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park will be closed on Monday.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton is closed. Regular hours are Thursday to Sunday with free admission until Aug. 31.
Hamilton civic museums are closed on Monday.
Hamilton and Burlington public libraries are closed Monday.
The HSR, Burlington Transit and GO Transit are operating on a Sunday schedule. DARTS will operate on a holiday schedule.
GO trains are on a Saturday schedule on Monday.
LCBO and beer stores across Ontario are open on Monday, as are most grocery stores and malls.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com