11 things to do in the Hamilton area this Thanksgiving weekend and what’s open and closed Monday
Ready for Thanksgiving?
You'll need a sweater, an umbrella, or both this weekend as we celebrate tradition steeped in pumpkin fun.
There's music in the park, hikes will be abundant and the final fall fair of the year is here.
Environment Canada is calling for a chance of showers on Saturday and a mix of sun and clouds on Sunday and Monday.
Note that provincial regulations require proof of double vaccination, mostly for indoor public settings. Be prepared for these rules to apply to the following events.
Here are some things to do in the Hamilton area this Thanksgiving weekend plus what's open and closed for the holiday.
SUPERCRAWL FESTIVAL
It's a free two-day festival in Hamilton's Bayfront Park with live music, drag performances, food trucks, and vendors. Headliners will include Tim Baker, Death From Above 1979, The Halluci Nation, and Kiesza. Attendance is limited. Visit supercrawl.ca to register if you want to attend.
LAST SOMETHING ELSE
On the Bay merges Supercrawl-produced programming with music from the Something Else! Festival, showcasing a diverse and eclectic musical lineup.
It's the final weekend of the Something Else! Festival, down at Bayfront Park. On Friday, at Bayfront's West Stage, in collaboration with Supercrawl, the Sam Newsome Quartet is performing at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and The Woodshed Orchestra at 10 p.m. Then on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., Eschaton, Fisher/Furlong/Gennaro, Brass Knuckle Sandwich, and the Ochs-Robinson Duo play the West Stage. General admission tickets, limited two per individual, are free at eventbrite.com.
GAME DAY
Your Hamilton Bulldogs home opener is 7 p.m. Saturday at FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd. A family pack of four tickets starts at $60 for this game against the Barrie Colts. hamiltonbulldogs.com
The Ticats host the Argos at Tim Hortons Field on Monday, 4 p.m.
FALL FAIR
Tradition is a go at the 181st Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show this Thanksgiving. The fair runs daily until Monday. Online admissions, grandstand entertainment, agricultural displays, craft exhibits, food vendors, art demonstrations, talent shows and a lot more added attractions are features of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show. Safety protocols will be in place. Pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, 172 South Dr., Simcoe. norfolkcountyfair.com
- The annual Rockton World's Fair has been cancelled, but you can still enjoy the midway and demolition derby at the fairgrounds, 812 Old Hwy. 8, Rockton, over the long weekend. Tickets for the carnival are available online or at the fairgrounds, the demolition derby tickets must be pre-purchased. rocktonworldsfair.com
BALLS FALLS THANKSGIVING
The 47th Ball's Falls Thanksgiving weekend festival features delicious foods, craft beverages and wines, live acoustic music and children's entertainment, historical demonstrations, heritage tours and nature hikes. Enjoy the modified live festival from Friday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Advanced registration is required for admission. Tickets to the festival must be purchased online, and Heritage Tour Reservations must be purchased separately at thanksgivingfestival.ca/heritage-tours. Ball's Falls is located at 3292 6th Ave. RR 1, Jordan. thanksgivingfestival.ca
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
The Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety" Scavenger Hunt runs until Monday. To participate, download the Goosechase App and visit one of nine locations across the city where you will have to complete eight missions. Participants will be entered into a draw for the chance to win a prize. Visit the city's website at hamilton.ca/emergency-services/fire/fire-prevention for more details.
WALKING TOURS
Join Bill King in person on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This will be his last tour of the year and features highlights of the summer walks and a guest appearance by Mike Guarascia who will introduce his new book, The Relic Hunter: Buried Treasure in Hamilton." Meet at King and John streets, 10 a.m. The tour is about 90 minutes. Don't forget a mask and follow social distancing regulations.
Stories in the Stones is another free walking tour in Hamilton. Join Robin McKee on Saturday, 11 a.m., at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd. Art Crawl Tour is this weekend's topic. Meet at the Gatehouse. For more information, see hamiltonhistory.ca.
TREETOP TREKKING
Looking for some adventure this holiday weekend? Step over to Binbrook Conservation Area, 5050 Harrison Rd., and zip through the trees. Awarded one of Ontario's top outdoor attractions, Treetop Trekking operates a zip line adventure park, offering activities for a variety of ages and abilities. Reservations are required. treetoptrekking.com
CHARITY WALK
Walk to shine a light on cancer," Illuminight is a virtual fundraiser for the Cancer Program at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. Register and participate in a twilight walk between Oct. 8 to 17. events.hamiltonhealth.ca
THANKSGIVING DINNER
Hamilton's Good Shepherd Centre kitchen is offering a take-away meal on Monday, 2 to 4:15 p.m., 135 Mary St. The hot turkey Thanksgiving dinner, includes vegetables and dessert, is free of charge and is open to everyone in the community. All COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed closely. Please bring a mask. goodshepherdcentres.ca
PUMPKIN PATCH
Here are some local farms offering fall fun this weekend:
Soup-to-go, 573 Parkside Dr., Waterdown. Ready and you-pick pumpkins are available, as well as a play area for children, games, a corn maze, pedal-karts and more. Hours are Thursday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8.50 per person for a two-hour visit to the farm. Weekend wagon rides run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting) and are $4 per person. Visit soup-to-go.ca.
Lindley's Farm and Market, 900 Fiddlers Green Rd., open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Oct. 31. Cost is $10 per person for the hayride (includes one pumpkin) and $10 for the maze. See lindleyfarm.com.
Harvest Festival Weekends at Puddicombe Estate Winery, 1468 Hwy. 8, Winona, run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and Thanksgiving Day. Expect train rides, a campfire, live entertainment and more.
Merry Farms, 1974 Concession 2 Rd. W., Lynden. Pumpkin patch events until Oct. 31. Admission is $15, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no new admission after 4 p.m. No pets allowed.
Dyments, near Dundas Peak, starts its pumpkin picking and autumn fun this weekend. No tickets will be available at the gate, pre-book your visit now at dyments.com.
Hanes Corn Maze at 1001 Hwy. 5 W., Dundas, features a 20-acre maze and a pumpkin patch. Pumpkins are $5 each and maze admission is $17 for adults. Visit thehanescornmaze.com to reserve a time. Tip: bring a flashlight if you are doing the maze after dark.
OPEN AND CLOSED THANKSGIVING MONDAY
Most retail outlets are closed.
CF Lime Ridge and Mapleview malls are closed.
Beer Store and LCBO outlets are closed.
There is no green bin, blue box or garbage pickup on Monday in Hamilton or Halton. Pickups will be one day later than usual. Recycling centres and transfer stations are closed.
City offices, civic museums, recreation facilities and arenas are closed for public programming.
Hamilton and Burlington public libraries are closed Monday (HPL is also closed Sunday).
The Art Gallery of Hamilton open Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Warplane Heritage Museum is closed Monday.
HSR buses will operate on a Sunday level of service on Monday, with last buses leaving downtown at approximately 10 p.m.
Burlington Transit and Hamilton's DARTS will run a holiday schedule Monday.
GO Transit operates on Sunday schedules on Monday.
At Hamilton Mission Services the Good Food Centre, Addiction Services and Administration are closed Monday, but Willow's Place, Inasmuch House, and the Men's Shelter will operate as usual.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com