Things to do around Hamilton this Father’s Day weekend

You are in for a perfect Father's Day weekend Hamilton.

Environment Canada says sunny and around 19 C. Watch the UV index however, it is expected to be around 9 or very high and extra precaution is required. Skin that is unprotected will be damaged and can burn quickly, the weather service says.

It's been a while. Beat it to the Sound of Music Festival in Burlington, welcome Hamilton's new Copps Pier Park and maybe take dad on an adventure. Here are more than a dozen things to do in the Hamilton area.

Sound of Music Festival

Burlington's Sound of Music Festival rocks the waterfront along Lakeshore Road and Brant Street. Streetfest, midway, parade, stages, food, and so much fun from Thursday to Sunday. Admission is free. soundofmusic.ca

Copps Pier Park

Enjoy the festivities during Hamilton's grand opening of Copps Pier Park, honouring the Copps family, Saturday at Pier 8 - West Harbour waterfront from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new park offers a 30-meter wide walkway, multiple art installations, a playground, beach and board game areas as well as a performance stage. Family activities, local food vendors, interactive art displays and live music begin at 10 a.m. with the ceremony at 11.

Children's Garden

While the Hamilton Children's Museum remains closed, don't miss the free pop-up event for the opening of the Children's Garden in Gage Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours, programs, activities, and special guests are featured. The Children's Garden is located between the two pedestrian entrances of Montclair Avenue and Sherbrooke Street and near the baseball diamond.

Treetop Trekking

Looking for an outdoor adventure with dad or just want to walk on the wild side? Who wouldn't love an outing to Treetop Trekking in Binbrook Conservation Area this weekend. There's zip line as well as aerial trekking, discovery kids, treewalk village and more. treetoptrekking.com.

Go Karts

Hamilton's got a few tracks to spin. Take dad or race someone else this weekend.

• Hamilton Indoor Go Karts, 193 Cavell Ave. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. All drivers must be at least seven years-old and a minimum of 48-inches tall. hamiltonindoorgokarts.com

• Lakeland Kartway, 80 Van Wagners Beach Rd. This is a great spot for beginners. Visit hamiltonindoorgokarts.com

• Of course there's more than go karts at Cameron Speedway & Amusements, 2633 Upper James St. You can try paintball, bungee trampoline and more. Visit them at cameronspeedway.com and do your booking online, no walk-ins on weekends or holidays.

Dundurn historic garden

Free tours of the Historic Kitchen Garden at Dundurn Castle start Saturday. Over 200 varieties of heirloom flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Tours start at 2 p.m. in the Coach House every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from now until Sept. 4. Pre-registration is required hamilton.ca. Regular admission applies for the museum.

Woodworking

It's Father's Day at the Steam Museum's Take Apart Workshop" on Saturday or Sunday. Take a closer look and discover what's inside - items like toasters, radios, computers, and electronic toys - and to learn how they were made. All items, tools, and safety equipment are provided. Workshop tickets are $5 per person and museum admission is sold separately. Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Ave. Book your tickets at rec.hamilton.ca.

Strawberry Folk Fest

Stoney Creek's downtown Strawberry Folk Fest is Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on King Street East between Lake and New Mountain streets. Live music, artisans, entertainment and more.

Westdale Live

Live music on patios in Westdale Village from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October. westdalevillage.ca

Crawford Lake exhibit

The Fire Over Water art exhibit by Indigenous artist Catherine Tammaro opens Saturday at Crawford Lake Conservation Area. Exhibit opening is at 7 p.m. in the Deer Clan Longhouse at Crawford Lake. Meet the artist and author Professor Labelle in addition to learning more about the history of the Wendat/Wyandot/Wyandotte people. Light refreshments will also be served. Anyone interested can make reservations www.parkvisit.ca. The exhibit runs until December. conservationhalton.ca

Walking tours

Join Bill King on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. Housing the Rich - How the better half lived in 19th century Hamilton," is featured this weekend. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.

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 Disaster Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.

It's Pride Month Hamilton

Want to know what's happening around Hamilton this weekend for Pride Month?

• Pride Picnic at Bayfront Park, around the gazebo on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. This community driven event is free and open to everyone and anyone who wants to gather outdoors and have some fun. Bring a blanket and a picnic.

• Martello's back patio on James Street North is serving up drinks Saturday night after 9 p.m. Admission is free but you'll need some cash for alcohol. Note the kitchen will be closed.

• Chiefswood Park Paddle for Pride is Saturday from 1:30 to 10 p.m.

It's a day of paddling and entertainment which ends with food, entertainment and activities starting at 5 p.m. and a film screening in the park at 9. Six Nations Pride Committee paired with Chiefswood Park heritage site, 1037 Brant County Highway 54, Caledonia. Canoes launch from Front Street and Highway 54 in Onondaga at 2 p.m.

• Jam n' Drag Brunch is Sunday at Hamilton's That's My Jam, 51 King William St., from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

It's one of a few events lined up for the House of Adam and Steve Pride celebrations and features Karma and Kamilla Kameleon. Tickets are $20, food is not included. Brunch available, $24. Doors open at 10 a.m. with show starting at 11.

• Divas to the Dance Floor, a series of drag shows hosted by The Well Hamilton is Sundays, 7 p.m. through June. This weekend features TroyBoy Parks.

Game day

It's your home opener on Saturday. Ticats host Calgary at Tim Hortons Field at 6:30 p.m. ticats.ca

Monday is the start of the next big thing in Bulldogs hockey. Hamilton faces host Saint John Sea Dogs in the Memorial Tournament opener in New Brunswick on Monday night.

Hamilton Honey Badgers aren't home again until June 30, 7 p.m., at FirstOntario Centre.

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