A list of things to do around Hamilton this Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is about fall fairs, family and fun.

Environment Canada is calling for sunny skies and balmy fall temperatures hovering around 15 C.

It's the first time in two years Thanksgiving is under no restrictions due to COVID-19, and gatherings are aplenty.

Here's a bountiful list of things to do over the long weekend around Hamilton.

Fair finale

If a fall fair isn't one of your Thanksgiving traditions, maybe it's time. The season's final fairs have all the bells and whistles that make great memories.

Rockton World's Fair, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show and Burford Fall Fair run daily over the holiday weekend.

• The Rockton World's Fair, a Thanksgiving tradition since 1852. This celebration combines demolition derbies, midway, 4-H, horse shows, chuckwagon competition, pie-eating contest, standup comedy and much more. The dairy show runs Friday at 11 a.m. and the demolition derbies are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Fair hours are Friday from 4 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $18 at the gate. You can find the World's Fair in Rockton at 812 Old Highway 8, Rockton. rocktonworldsfair.com

• 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. General admission is $13 for adults from Tuesday to Thursday, $15 for adults Friday to Monday, $8 for youth six to 13, free for children five and under. Parking is $8. The fairgrounds open at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 172 South Dr., Simcoe. norfolkcountyfair.com

• It's got all the bells and whistles with demolition derbies, kids pedal pull, horse show, monster trucks, antique car show and more. The Burford Fall Fair is not as big as some other holiday weekend fairs but has all the charm. Admission is cash only, adults $10, youth (six to 13 years old) $5. Gate hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. The fairgrounds are located at 6 Park Ave., Burford. burfordfair.ca

Chirp!

Hike your way through the Dundas Valley on Friday morning. The three-hour guided hike led by a bird expert James Lees, starts at 8 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person and sell out fast. Location details available at registration. Visit conservationhamilton.ca/birdhikes.

Live at FirstOntario Concert Hall

Tribute band Rumours of Fleetwood Mac take the stage Sunday at 8 p.m. at Hamilton's FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summer's Lane. Tickets start at $50. ticketmaster.ca

Thanksgiving festival

It's a really big, family-friendly festival at Ball's Falls Conservation Area. The annual Thanksgiving Festival features more than 170 selected artisans, live entertainment, children's workshops, activities, gourmet foods and heritage demos. The hours are Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Located at 3292 Sixth Ave., Lincoln. Admission is $8.50 at the gate. thanksgivingfestival.ca

Apple Festival

Fall back to Battlefield House and Museum, 77 King St. W., Stoney Creek, on Saturday for the Apple Festival from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pancake breakfast, games, pumpkin decorating, demonstrations and entertainment.

Thanksgiving dinner

A hot turkey dinner, takeout style, will be provided at the Good Shepherd Men's Centre, 135 Mary St. Monday from 2 to 4:15 p.m. It will be handed to guests from the side dining room door. Those wishing to donate, click here.

Fall for Concession

Live music under the pergola at 569 Concession Street as part of Fall for Concession event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Performers include: Dean James, 10 a.m. to noon, Lacey Hill from noon to 2 p.m., Jamila B. from 2 to 4 p.m.

Walking tours

Hamilton's Stories in the Stones, a free two-hour walking tour at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., runs Saturdays at 11 a.m. Meet at the gatehouse. hamiltonhistory.ca.

Join Bill King for his final walking tour of the season on Sunday. The free 90-minute tour of downtown Hamilton will look back at highlights of the summer of 2022. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.

Farmers markets

Hamilton's Farmer's Market, 35 York Blvd., is open Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Here are a few more community markets if you need supplies for the big dinner. The Ottawa Street market runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday; Locke Street market runs 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday; Binbrook farmers market runs 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Free compost

Hamilton is giving away free compost. The annual fall compost giveaway for residents is at Turner Park, 344 Rymal Rd. E., in Hamilton and Joe Sam's Park, 752 Centre Rd., in Waterdown on Saturday. Bring your own shovel and bucket to these locations between 7 a.m. and noon. Max two people and a 15-minute time limit per vehicle. hamilton.ca

Autumn fun

Who isn't thinking pumpkins and corn mazes this Thanksgiving weekend? *Open on Monday.

Mountsberg's Spooktacular Halloween starts Saturday. It's a spooky outdoor Halloween activity perfect or kids ages five and up. Illuminated Night Walk through the forest, Haunted Barn, scavenger hunt and more. Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 children. Wagon rides extra, can be added at registration. Visit conservationhalton.ca/spooktacular.

*It's time for picking pumpkins and autumn fun on weekends at Dyments, near Dundas Peak. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 per person and includes parking, tractor-wagon ride along the Niagara Escarpment and all the fun farm activities. Pumpkins are extra. dyments.com.

*Hanes Corn Maze is 20 acres of 12-foot tall walls of cornstalks and takes about two hours to complete. The maze and pumpkin patch are located at 1001 Highway 5 W., Dundas. Pumpkins are $5 each and maze admission is $18.50 for walk-in admission. Book online at TheHanesCornMaze.com. Tip: bring a flashlight if you are doing the maze after dark. No pets.

*Lindley's Farm and Market pumpkin hayrides run weekends and holidays, $12 will get you a hayride and one pumpkin you pick from the patch. Zip-line and slingshot attractions are back too. 900 Fiddlers Green Rd. Leashed dogs are allowed.

*Harvest Festival Weekends at Puddicombe Estate run weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in October. Puddicombe Farm is located at 1468 Highway 8 in Winona. Train rides, a campfire, live entertainment and more. No pets.

*Merry Farms pumpkin patch events is open weekends until Oct. 23 with timed registration required, $17.99 gets you wagon ride, corn maze, kids activities, food trucks and more. Pumpkin prices are $2 to $20. Located at 1974 Concession 2 Rd. W., Lynden. No pets.

Tickets are available for Pumpkins After Dark, an outdoor 2.5-kilometre drive-thru Halloween event in Milton. Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd. PumpkinsAfterDark.com

Halloween Haunt has returned to Canada's Wonderland transforming the theme park into a scream park filled with thrilling attractions, unspeakable horror and amazing night rides. CanadasWonderland.com

Game day

Hamilton Tiger-Cats take on Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ticats.ca

Bulldogs home opener is Saturday at 7 p.m. Your OHL Champions take on the Oshawa Generals. ticketmaster.ca

Hamilton Forge FC versus HFX Wanderers FC is Sunday at Tim Hortons Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ticketmaster.ca

Looking ahead

Hamilton's Fall Garden and Mum Show runs Oct. 14 to 23.

Hamilton Zombie Walk is Oct. 31, 2 p.m., at King Street East between James and John streets.

Fun fact

Pumpkins are considered yard waste. City of Hamilton asks you to cut large pumpkins into pieces and place with your yard waste on collection day.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com