Hot things to do in Hamilton this weekend

It's the last week of school and our list of summer weekend fun takes shade from no one.

You'll need an umbrella for Sunday, Environment Canada is calling for 60 per cent chance of showers.

Here are a bunch of things you can do this weekend around the Hamilton area.

Arkells

The Rally. Saturday is the big night out everyone's been waiting for. Hamilton's own Arkells are live at Tim Hortons Field, 5:30 p.m., and have made the show bigger and better with more floor tickets, bleacher seats in hopes to trump their inaugural Rally from 2018. Reminder if you bought tickets for the cancelled show slated in 2020, the same ticket will work as you come through the gates this year. Sharing the stage with the Arkells are Mt. Joy, K. Flay and Haviah Mighty. ticketmaster.ca

Skyfest 50

Tickets are sold out but Hamiltonians will want to keep their eyes to the sky this weekend during Skyfest50. Some visitors over the weekend include a Spitfire, Hurricane, P-39 Airacobra, P-51 Mustang, and a P-40. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

• Tickets to the Friday preview may still be available. No access to the ramp. Adult (age 16-plus) $30, Child (age 6-15) $15, Children (5 and under) free. warplane.com

• Have a vintage vehicle? Preregister now for the July 24 Vintage Wheels & Wings event at the CWHM. Vintage vehicles are 20-plus years old. It's a mashing of vintage cars and aircraft.

Westdale Village ArtsFest

Live concerts in the Westdale Theatre, live patio music, local artisans and of course art will be in Westdale Village this weekend. Hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. artfest.ca

Walking tours

Join Bill King on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This weekend, join in to meet the McQuestens. The tour will visit Whitehern and other buildings connected with the McQuesten family and their friends. 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., runs most Saturdays. Join Robin McKee at 11 a.m. at the gatehouse. This week is the Women's Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.

Duck Dash is back

Where else can you learn to tie a fly and watch thousands of rubber duck race in the river? Carlisle Optimists present Family Fun Day and the Duck Dash at Courtcliffe Park on Saturday. The event goes from about 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park, located at 159 Carlisle Rd. Tickets to purchase a duck are available for $5 per duck. Duck race starts at 11 a.m. Enjoy the variety of conservation education stations and activities including Hamilton Area Fly Fishers and Tyers will also be on hand to teach attendees the art of the tie. Free barbecue.

Model trains

Admission is free to the Burlington Model Railway Club public running day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hidden Valley Park, 1137 Hidden Valley Rd., Burlington. Indoor and outdoor model railway layouts will be on display for children and rail enthusiasts. Donations accepted.

Roses are red

Yellow and pink, the list goes on. Roses are in their first flush in the rose garden at Hendrie Park. Royal Botanical Gardens brings colour to Hendrie Park all season long. General admission applies, visit rbg.ca.

Concerts in the park

Don't forget to take a blanket or lawn chair.

• Burlington's Concerts in the Park are presented by the Rocca Sisters every Wednesday and Sunday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Central Park Bandshell, 2311 New St. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic and join us for an evening of free music. For a full list of artists visit burlington.ca/concerts.

• Hamiltonians won't want to miss the free Music in the City noon-hour concerts on top of Jackson Square, 2 King St. W. Concerts run Monday to Friday. This coming week features Brian Alvey from The Pistol Packin Preachers.

• Music on the Waterfront Jazz & Blues concerts are every Thursday at Hamilton's Pier 8, 47 Discovery Dr., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

HPO

Come along with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamilton Artist Andrew O'Connner on Sunday at Dragons Unfolding. This immersive performance is at The Studio in FirstOntario Concert Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. General admission is #30. Visit hpo.org for tickets.

Planting day

It's Community Planting Day in Barton Village on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can meet at St. Matthew's House, 414 Barton St. E., for work there or at Birge and Woodland parks. Sign up by emailing Rebecca at gcfdirector@gcfoundation.ca. Tips for planting include: wearing comfortable clothing that can get dirty, wear closed-toed shoes, bring plenty of water in a refillable container and wear sunscreen. Gloves and shovels are provided.

Erland Lee Museum

Did you know Erland Lee Museum is a National Historic Site of Canada? This Stoney Creek gem celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with activities, speeches, tours and more. The museum is owned and maintained by the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO). Bring their own lunch and picnic blanket/chairs on Saturday. The museum is located at 552 Ridge Rd., Stoney Creek.

A little Christmas in June

Binbrook Santa Claus Parade's Half Way to Christmas fundraiser held at the Binbrook Fairgrounds, 2600 Highway 56 is Saturday from 12:30 to 4 p.m. This little endeavour promises vendors, bouncy castles, fire trucks, raffle prizes as well as special guests like Binbrook Spider-Man, Ginger the Clown, Hamilton Police Service's mounted patrol unit and dancers from Broadway Bound.

It's Pride Month Hamilton

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

Hamilton Porch Pride is challenging everyone in the city and surrounding areas to decorate the front of their homes in rainbows and party outside on Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m.

• Pride Hamilton! is at the Hamilton Convention Centre on July 8 and 9.

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