A few spring things to do this weekend in the Hamilton area
Another spring weekend is upon us, and it just might be the perfect time to clean your house.
It looks like it will be wet and warm, with Saturday's rain followed by a high of 23 C and sun peeking through the clouds on Sunday.
Crack those windows open and let the air cleanse and expunge, maybe set an intention if you're in the mood, and run that vacuum while you're at it.
If spring cleaning isn't your thing, here's a mix of things to keep your weekend busy.
Rain barrel sale
Fans of water will be excited to take note that the yearly rain barrel sale has commenced. Order your barrel online at https://rainbarrel.ca/cityofhamilton/ and it will be delivered to your home. Sale ends May 14 and the cost is $75 per barrel.
Durand cleanup
Located in the Durand neighbourhood? Connect with your community by cleaning it up. Meet at Durand Coffee at 9 a.m. Saturday to pick up litter in alleys, parks and rail areas. Gloves and bags provided.
Roller derby
If you found the 2009 flick Whip It" inspiring and have always wanted to connect with your inner badass, there are some people you should meet. The Hammer City Roller Derby team will be at Coronation Arena on April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Learn about the league and try on some skates.
Poetry
Have you been moved by nature? Perhaps in a way that's worth writing about? The Haldimand County library's annual poetry contest is accepting submissions. The theme, Back to Nature, is open to interpretation by all ages. Enter by April 30.
Monster Jam
Smashy smashy, Hamilton. Monster Jam is at FirstOntario Centre. Get your fill of giant, oversized trucks competing with flips and tricks in a high-octane weekend of fun and motorsports.
Join the pit party from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, see the trucks up close, take photos and participate in a Q and A with the drivers.
The big event kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday with a 7 p.m. encore. Sunday's events times are 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Game Day
Cheer on the Forge from Tim Hortons Field as they take on FC Edmonton Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $23. More information at forgefc.canpl.ca/.
The Bulldogs lead the Peterborough Petes in their first-round OHL playoff series after taking Game 1 5-2. The Petes are back for Game 2 on Monday, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. Tickets are $23 and up at the FirstOntario Centre box office or hamiltonbulldogs.com/.
The next home game for the Toronto Rock at FirstOntario Centre is May 6, for the opening round of playoffs.
gritLIT
The city's annual literary festival brings together diverse voices for four days of panels, workshops, interviews and more. This year, both in-person and virtual reading and themed events will take place from April 21-24. Visit gritlit.ca/ for more.
Swing, swing
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Dee Daniels brings her Legends of Swing" program to FirstOntario Concert Hall with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra under guest conductor Karl Hirzer. Tickets are $20 to $80 at hpo.org or by calling 905-526-7756.
Library learning
April is Sikh Heritage Month. In these times of increasing polarization, get to know your fellow Canadians by reading about the Sikh community's immense contributions to Canada through the Hamilton library.
Spring events
The Mountain legion is hosting a spring market Saturday. Over 25 vendors will be hawking their wares from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 435 Limeridge Rd. E. Admission is free.
The Burlington Lifestyle Spring Home Show is back at Mainway Arena. Glean advice from local home renovators and lifestyle experts Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At the movies
Is there a better way to spend a rainy Saturday than at the movies?
Playhouse Cinema on Sherman Avenue North is showing Charlotte," an animated biopic about a Auschwitz victim, the anime Jujutsu Kaisen O: The Movie," All My Puny Sorrows" based on the bestselling novel, art history film Inside the Uffizi," and a special one-night-only showing of Drive" on Saturday at 11:30 p.m.
This weekend, the Westdale is presenting short films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25.
The Starlite Drive-in is open for business Thursdays to Sundays. This weekend Screen 1 has Bad Guys" and Ambulance," Screen 2 Sonic the Hedgehog 2" and Lost City," and Screen 3 Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" and Morbius."
Reminder
Registration is now closed for the Paris to Ancaster cycling road race, but the event takes place Sunday starting at the Paris Fairgrounds and ending at Morgan Firestone Arena.
Delaney Caulfield is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach her via email: dcaulfield@thespec.com