18 things to do around Hamilton this summer weekend
The cutest event this weekend has got to be Wiener-Paw-Looza at Confederation Park on Saturday.
There is no dearth of events happening over the weekend around Hamilton. Get out and enjoy the wiener dog party or the smorgasbord of other fun things to do.
Environment Canada is calling for a sunny summer weekend with highs around 24 C, but a chance of showers moving in Sunday.
Game day
Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts at Tim Hortons Field Friday at 7:30 p.m. ticketmaster.ca
Wiener-Paw-Looza
It's got to be the shortest event around and it's back after a two-year COVID hiatus. Wiener dog races, a fundraising barbecue, games, costume contests, venders, a silent auction and more. Don't miss the Longest Wiener" contest that starts at noon. Support the Canadian Dachshund Rescue on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Confederation Park, 585 Van Wagners Beach Rd.
ArtsWest festival
Westdale ArtsWest introduces several local and Canadian independent musical artists, including New Rebel Westerners, The Red Hill Valleys, Brian John Harwood, Chris Chambers, Wendell Ferguson, Mike McCurlie, Hayley Verrell and more from Friday to Sunday in Hamilton's Westdale Village.
This free outdoor country music street festival promises two free outdoor stages for live music, food, an artisan market, an aerial artist and family activities, all open for the public to enjoy.
Tickets for the indoor stage at The Westdale are: Saturday, New Rebel Westerners at 6 p.m., and The Red Hill Valleys at 9 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. is Mahima, then at 5 p.m. is Brian John Harwood, followed at 8 p.m. by a Johnny Cash Tribute Show starring Jim Yorfido as Johnny Cash, with special guests performing as June Carter, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tammy Wynette.
Hell in the Harbour
Hell In The Harbour Endurance Run is back in Bayfront Park on Saturday. Tackle the obstacles first-hand, cheer on participants as a spectator or show your support as a volunteer. The six-kilometre course spans Hamilton's waterfront with over 15 obstacles and is a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Ontario. specialolympicsontario.crowdchange.ca
Concerts in the park
Hamilton's Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts through the summer. Concerts this weekend are on Saturday and Sunday.
- Come out to Concession Street, parking lot at 593 Concession St., Saturday afternoon. Shows are at 2 p.m. with Julianna Jones, and at 3 p.m. for a little country with New Moon Junction.
- On Sunday pop down to Westdale Village on King Street West at Paisley around noon for ArtsWest in partnership with the Westdale Village BIA. The schedule holds for The Handsome Duo at 12 and 1 p.m. and Emma Elena Grace at 2 and 3 p.m.
- Burlington's Concerts in the Park presented by the Rocca Sisters continues every Wednesday and Sunday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Central Park Bandshell, 2311 New St., through to the end of August. Bring a blanket or chair. For a full list of artists visit burlington.ca/concerts.
Birds of Urquhart
Bill Lamond is a well-known Ontario Naturalist and an exceptional birder who can identify the many birds that are seen at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and Canal Park. Join Lamond for a nature walk on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Lamond will share tips for identifying birds and interesting notes about their lives and migration. Bring your binoculars. Free public workshops are held each Saturday until Aug. 27 at Hamilton's Urquhart Butterfly Garden. The butterfly garden is located in Centennial Park at Cootes Drive and East Street in Dundas. Free parking is available at 128 King St. E. urquhartbutterfly.com
Eclectic Local
This free music series runs some Saturdays into September from 5 to 6 p.m. on The Gasworks Outdoor Stage, 141 Park St. N. Featured this Saturday is Ellis in Transit - female-fronted British-Canadian indie rock.
Pier 8 Pop-Up
Hamilton's new Copps Pier Park at Pier 8 is home to Pier 8 Pop-Ups. Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. is the free Sunset Picnic at the Bay. This family-friendly event features food vendors, activities and tunes from DJ Donna Lovejoy. On Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. you will find the BIPOC Showcase & Pop-Up Market, and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. is Sous Bay patio party. pier8popups.ca
Sunflower maze
Hanes Century Farm sunflower maze with eight acres of blooms for you to wander through. The maze, 1001 Hwy. 5, Dundas, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Sunday to Thursday, and until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday until September. Cost is $16.50 walk in, per person. Keep in mind that there will likely be a lineup as one group of people will be admitted at a time.
Kids Mini Fest
This free family-friendly event is Saturday in Burlington from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose the park that is closest to you. A Kids Mini Fest will be held in Burlington at Brant Hills Park, 2255 Brant St.; Cumberland Park, 562 Cumberland Ave.; and Millcroft Park, 4520 Millcroft Park Dr.
Butter tarts
What is more Canadian than a butter tart tasting competition? The Burlington Butter Tarts and Sweet Tarts Festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Village Square in downtown Burlington. Admission is a donation for the Burlington Food Bank. Enjoy vendors, music and more.
Farms of Norfolk Football
This soccer tournament promises a little more than just football matches. After a two-year COVID hiatus, Farms of Norfolk Football Association is back with a flurry of fun for the whole family this Sunday. Nine farm-based teams will compete for the 2022 title in a celebration of local farms and migrant farm workers. Food trucks, a DJ, a bouncy castle and face painting are planned through the day with games scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 660 West St., Simcoe.
Hipfest
It's Hipfest on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. in Brantford's Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie St. The free evening celebrates the Tragically Hip, with performances from Summer of 69, Bryan Adams Tribute and headliner The Practically Hip.
Train Days
Train Days with the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers is on at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Ave., on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Various model engines will be running on the miniature railroad track at the museum. Museum admission applies. Call 905-521-3168. hamilton.ca/museumevents
Walking tours
Hamilton's Stories in the Stones, a free two-hour walking tour at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., runs most Saturdays. Join Robin McKee at 11 a.m. at the gatehouse. This week is Art Crawl Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.
Join Bill King Sunday for a free 90-minute walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This weekend enjoy a Birthday Tour," looking at the lives and birthplaces of notable and infamous Hamiltonians. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Sweet corn
Nothing screams summer louder than corn on the cob from a local farm. We mentioned them last week and you screamed for more local farms selling the sweet niblets. On average, you can buy a dozen corn for $10.
Cranstons Farm, 37 Carluke Rd. E., Ancaster, sells sweet corn and more right at roadside.
Dyments, 416 Fallsview Rd. E., Dundas, is famous for sweet corn, picked three times daily with over 15 different varieties throughout the season. dyments.com
RBG fall programs
Royal Botanical Gardens offer an array of courses and workshops for adults and families in the areas of gardening, nature, botanical arts and wellness. Fall courses, programs and workshops are now available for online registration. rbg.ca
Coming events
Don't miss the Dundas Cactus Parade to kick off the festival next weekend. The parade is Thursday at 6:45 p.m., through downtown Dundas. dundascactusparade.com
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com