Events are few and far between in Hamilton this weekend
Say so long, January.
Events and things to do are typically rare on the final weekend of January and this year they are really running like molasses.
We remind you of all the fun and wonderful outdoor skating, tobogganing and hiking you can do and also take a look at what's coming your way once current provincial restrictions end Monday.
Environment Canada is calling for mostly sunshine on Saturday, but cold. Daytime highs of -11 C and night time lows topping -15 C are expected.
Toboggan hills
Here are Hamilton's five approved toboggan hills.
1. Chedoke Golf Course - Beddoe Course, 563 Aberdeen Ave. Find the Beddoe Course, hole #1;
2. Garth and Stonechurch Reservoir - 1515 Garth St. Riders can use either the northeast corner or the south side (east of parking lot);
3. King's Forest Golf Course - 100 Greenhill Ave., hole #9, just in front of the 9th green;
4. Waterdown Memorial Park - 200 Hamilton St., Waterdown. Northeast corner, west of baseball diamond #3;
5. Dundas Driving Park - 71 Cross St., Dundas. Parkside Hill, adjacent to baseball diamond #1.
Outdoor skating
The RBG has turned Cootes Paradise into a community hub with skating, hot chocolate and lights. The Spectator's Fallon Hewitt gave us a great rundown of what you can expect if you head down to Princess Point. Skating looks favourable again this weekend. Here are a few places to skate in the great outdoors.
You will need your own skates at Princess Point, park in the RBG lot at 335 Longwood Rd. Here is a link to check ice conditions before you go: rbg.ca.
Hamilton's outdoor rinks are open for the season. City-operated outdoor rinks maintain the ice and will be patrolling sites up until 10 p.m., lights shut off at 11 p.m. Outdoor rinks are: Waterdown Ice Loop, 200 Hamilton St. N.; Freelton Outdoor Rink, 170 Freelton Rd.; Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre Ice Loop, 876 Cannon St. E.; and Dundas Driving Park Outdoor Rink, 71 Cross St. COVID restrictions are in place.
Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink at Pier 8 is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals are available for $10.
Burlington's Rotary Centennial Pond is open, but one-hour reservations are required.
Indoor public skating is cancelled but you can look for indoor programming, including arenas and ice time, to reopen starting Monday.
Trails
Check out the trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens, or map out a route for a weekend hike in the Hamilton or Halton conservation area or City of Hamilton hiking trail. The Hamilton area is abound with views, escarpment stairs and vistas. Take the weekend on like a tourist and try to see something you haven't before. conservationhamilton.ca
February is Black History Month
The official kickoff of Hamilton Black History Month is Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 12 to 1 p.m. A Walk Through Time," a virtual experience of Hamilton Black History database will be live on YouTube.
Enerals Griffin Story
Hamilton's Griffin House presents free access to Ancestors in the Attic: The Enerals Griffin Story. This Black History Month virtual event is presented on YouTube. Ancestors in the Attic is a Canadian television program about genealogy produced by Primitive Entertainment, presented by Reader's Digest Canada and shown on History Television Canada from 2006.
Black History Series
Niagara Parks is hosting a three-part virtual speaker series. Remaining interactive online speakers include Dr. Dann Broyld, Black and in the Niagara Borderlands Before the Civil War" on Feb. 23; and Natasha Henry, Sale of Said Negro Woman: Chloe Cooley and the Enslaved Black People in Niagara" on March 30.
Tickets are $15 per event. All sessions begin at 7 p.m., hosted on Zoom. niagaraparks.com/blackhistory.
Hamilton museums
Dundurn National Historic Site, the Hamilton Military Museum and the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology will reopen to the public on Tuesday. Rentals will resume at Ancaster Old Town Hall and Battlefield House. Note that Griffin House remains closed due to ongoing capital project work. hamilton.ca
Winterfest
Hamilton Winterfest 2022 starts next week on Thursday, Feb. 3 and continues to the 21st. Connect with your community at hamiltonwinterfest.ca
Movies
The Playhouse Cinemas wants you to know that popcorn is back, for real, starting Tuesday when the theatre reopens. All COVID safety protocols remain in place: 50 per cent capacity, distancing, proof of vaccination and mask-wearing when not eating or drinking. playhousecinema.ca/
The major movie theatres open Monday for the most part, Cineplex and Landmark in Hamilton.Keep in mind that COVID restrictions will be in place.
Game day
Hamilton is host for the prestigious men's soccer World Cup qualifier match between Canada and the U.S. at Tim Hortons Field Sunday. Tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale Tuesday to a capacity of 50 per cent. The team plays Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. and then again in El Salvador, Wednesday Feb. 2. All matches are broadcast live on OneSoccer.
Rock lacrosse is home at FirstOntario Centre this Saturday, but without fans. You can watch the home game against Rochester at 7 p.m. on TSN2.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com