Seven things to do around Hamilton this weekend
No plans this weekend? Get out to see the Bulldogs or Forge FC - they both have big games on the schedule - or check out Hamilton's home show or model trains in Aldershot.
Environment Canada is calling for beautiful, mostly sunny days with daytime highs around 20 C. Showers are expected to move into the area at some point on Sunday.
With that forecast in mind, here are seven things to do around Hamilton this weekend:
Home show
Get answers to your home improvement questions at the Greater Hamilton Region Lifestyle Spring Home Show, which is on this weekend at United Soccer Centre (formerly Players Paradise) at 565 Seaman St. in Stoney Creek. The show includes product launches, demonstrations and special offers on a variety of products and services. Admission and parking are free (see the coupon on thespec.com). Hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- The Canadian Raptor Conservancy will be conducting shows all weekend featuring live eagles, raptors and a host of other Canadian birds.
Model trains
See operating model railroads Saturday at Hidden Valley Park, 1137 Hidden Valley Rd., in Aldershot. The Burlington Model Railway Club will be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and donations are accepted.
Hendrie Park
Seeing the Invisible: An Augmented Reality Art Exhibit returns to Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens this weekend. Encounter augmented reality art throughout the park when you visit. The program runs until the end of August. Works by more than a dozen international artists including Ai Weiwei, Refik Anadol, El Anatsui, Mohammed Kazem, Sigalit Landau, Sarah Meyohas, Pamela Rosenkranz and Timur Si-Qin are featured. View the exhibit through an app, which can be downloaded to smartphones and tablets. rbg.ca.
Walking tours
Hamilton's Stories in the Stones free two-hour walking tour at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., is Saturday. Join Robin McKee at 11 a.m. at the gatehouse. This week is the Power of the City Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.
Join Bill King on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. Explore the ruins of some of the city's old mountain roads. Note that this tour involves uphill and downhill walking. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.
Quilt show
The Hamilton Quilters Guild quilting show is this weekend after a two-year hiatus. Over 200 handcrafted quilts are featured Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. Also included are tombola (like a silent auction), guild boutique, tea room, demos, vendors and more. Tickets are $10. hamiltonquiltguild.ca.
Life drawing
Artists or wannabe artists make note of the Hamilton life drawing sessions offered Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 175 1/2 James St. N. (3rd floor). Drop in cost is $15. Bring your own drawing materials. Drawing horses, easels and boards are provided. Short, medium and long poses rotate on a three-week cycle. Call Janice Jackson at 905-966-4301. Face masks are required.
Game day
Hold onto your hats, Hamilton. Round 4 of the OHL Championship is at FirstOntario Centre with Games 1 and 2 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., respectively. The series heads to Windsor for Game 3 Monday and Game 4 Friday. hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Forge FC takes on Toronto FC at Tim Hortons Field Saturday at 7 p.m. The winner will be declared the 2020 Canadian champion - the original final was postponed earlier in the pandemic. ticketmaster.ca.
Looking ahead
- Coffee With A Cop is at CF Lime Ridge Thursday, June 9 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Located in the middle of the mall on the bottom floor near Second Cup. Stop and speak to recruiters or have a question answered by an officer.
- On Friday, June 10, grocery chain Metro is hosting Metro Retro Drive-In Movies, showing a classic flick in the parking lot of the Metro location at 1161 Barton St. E.
- Registration for Hamilton's 2022 summer recreation programs begins June 15. To learn more and browse programs visit, http://hamilton.ca/registration.
- GO train users: There will be no service at St. Catharines and Niagara Falls stations from Monday, June 6 to Wednesday, June 8 due to construction. CN will be working on the rail bridge spanning the Welland Canal Parkway in St. Catharines. gotransit.com.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com