Summer’s last gasp: 12 things to do this Labour Day weekend in Hamilton
Summer makes its final gasp this weekend.
You know it when you step outside, that feeling that sweater weather is on the doorstep. Take an umbrella with you this Labour Day weekend. Environment Canada is calling for a 40 to 60 per cent chance of showers Saturday through to Monday.
Take a look at these 12 events in the Hamilton area this weekend.
SOMETHING ELSE!
Rain or shine, you'll find the Something Else! Festival and Watch It Burn! Series of creative music/free jazz at Bayfront Park, 200 Harbour Front Dr., on Saturday, 5 p.m. with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, and Tony Gatlif's 1993 documentary, Latcho Drom," kicking things off. The Spectator's Leonard Turnevicius gave us a roundup this week on the festival and all it entails. The series continues the following five Saturdays at 3 p.m. For info, log on to somethingelsefestival.com.
RIBFEST
Follow your nose and ears to Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line, this Labour Day for the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore's annual ribfest. It's drive-thru style this year with barbecue available Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can order from one of the following rib teams: Camp 31, Billy Bones, Sticky Fingers and Silver Bullet.
Someone from the rib teams will safely approach your car to take your order. Payments can be processed through debit, credit or cash. Card payments with tap are encouraged. Enjoy the live musical entertainment from your vehicle while you drive through the event. For menu, pricing and more event information visit canadaslargestribfest.com/rotary-drive-thru-ribfest-labour-day-rib-fest/#info.
TICATS VS ARGOS
We hope you already have your ticket for Monday's Labour Day Classic. Since Tim Hortons Field is limited to 15,000, there are no more tickets available for this or any other remaining Ticat home game. In fact, some flex-pack ticket holders were turned down for Monday because of the provincial capacity limits. Monday's Tiger-Cats vs. Argos game starts at 1 p.m. If you are wondering if you need to wear a mask, the answer is yes. And if you will be seated in proximity to other fans, the answer is also yes. The Spectator's Steve Milton gave us some tips: Here's what you need to know about the Labour Day Classic at Tim Hortons Field | TheSpec.com.
DRIVE-IN CONCERT
Material Girls drive-in concert to benefit Interval House of Hamilton is Sunday, 3 p.m., at the Starlite Drive In, 59 Green Mountain Rd., Stoney Creek. This high-energy musical production is backed by studio musicians that recreate hits from musicians like Adele, Lady Gaga, Cher, Madonna and more. Gates open at 2 p.m. You can get your tickets at benefitshow.net.
COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FESTIVAL
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) 2021 CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend is this weekend at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. The festival will include three drive-in concerts, including the New Faces Showcase & Concert on Friday, the Legacy Revival on Saturday, and the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards on Sunday. All shows start at 7 p.m. If you're looking for some local, check out The Redhill Valleys perform at Sunday's award show. Tickets are available at cmaontario.ca.
PARIS FAIR
It's worth the drive to Paris this weekend. The fair runs Thursday to Monday over the Labour Day weekend. Attendance will be limited this year, advance tickets are recommended. Grandstand events like the demolition derby require tickets. You'll find Campbells Amusements' midway, vendors, agricultural exhibits, food, dog show, magic show and more at the 2021 Paris Fair. The fair is open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The fairgrounds are at 139 Silver St., Paris. For tickets and more information, visit parisfairgrounds.com.
LOCKE STREET
Locke Street is open to pedestrians and cyclists between Herkimer and Hunter every Saturday until Sept. 11. 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.
WALKING TOUR
Explore Hamilton's Oddities," the people, places and events you've probably never heard of. Join Bill King for a free walking tour on Sunday. 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.
CORN MAZE
Feeling corny? Brush your weekend with some autumn fun in the 12-foot-tall Hanes Corn Maze, 1001 Highway #5 West, Dundas. Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. thehanescornmaze.com
TORONTO AIR SHOW
The Canadian International Air Show is on this weekend, even without the Ex. Look up and you might see the Snowbirds Friday around 1:30 p.m. as they travel from London to Toronto for the weekend's show. Show dates are Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. To respect current social distancing guidelines, there will be no ticketed Exclusive Airshow Zone in 2021. Instead, narration will be streamed live for free as a thank you to all Canadians for the sacrifices they made during the past 18 months. Kindly follow current COVID guidelines. There are 14 kms of public viewing space between the Humber Bridge and the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to accommodate social distancing. Parking is available at Exhibition Place and Ontario Place, or you can take public transit.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's PBY Canso is performing at the Toronto show.
- The CWHM is open this weekend, including Labour Day, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. warplane.com
MORE SUPERCRAWL
Supercrawl free livestream series continues at Hamilton's Bridgeworks into September. The concerts are limited to 50 attendees per event, selected by lottery, in a physically distanced seating plan inside the new Bridgeworks event space, 200 Caroline St. N. These events will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend, and available to watch on-demand for 48 hours after the concert has concluded, with lottery drawn from livestream ticket holders. supercrawl.ca. This Saturday features Bad Waitress.
LABOUR DAY EVENTS
Like last year, the Hamilton Labour Council has planned a Labour Day Caravan Tailgate. Meet Monday at Hamilton City Hall around 10:30 a.m. and drive with the caravan down Main Street, continuing into the east end where Main becomes Queenston and turning right on Centennial Parkway up the Mountain. There will be a bus at the start of the caravan for those who can't drive. It is recommended you bring a lawn chair for the tailgate. Visit hamiltonlabour.ca.
The Steelworkers Solidarity March is Monday. Meet at the Steel Hall on Barton Street starting at 9:30 a.m. A parade will start at 10:30 on Barton Street heading east to Ottawa Street, west on Main Street into Gage Park to the bandshell area.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com