13 things to do around Hamilton on the August long weekend
The dog days of summer are here, but don't just sit around.
Make the most of the August long weekend with this baker's dozen of things to do around Hamilton.
Environment Canada is calling for sun and temperatures around 30 C through to Monday.
Festival of Friends
There's no festival like the Festival of Friends and it is back to its pre-COVID roots with three days of live music on three stages in Hamilton's Gage Park. The outdoor festival features performances by Monster Truck, Gord Bamford, The Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Serena Ryder, George Canyon and more, as well as food and vendors. As always, it's free, and the show goes on rain or shine. Performances begin Friday at 3:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at noon.
More Fringe
It's the final weekend of the Hamilton Fringe Festival, with events daily until Sunday. Catch postponed headliner Aysanabee on the free Fringe Club Stage (outside 190 King William St.) Friday at 10:30 p.m. This incredible Oji-Cree singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist is fresh off a killer appearance at Ottawa Bluesfest. Also on Friday is Cafe Piccolina, who perform at 8 p.m. And at 9:30 p.m., you can do a little line dancing under the stars with the YWCA. On Saturday at 2 p.m. there is a youth performance showcase featuring Spark Teen Intensive. Admission is free to all shows at the Fringe Club Stage. Visit hftco.ca for tickets, a festival schedule and more.
Ribfest Ancaster
Yup, another rib festival with carnival food, live entertainment and more. This time it's in Ancaster at the fairgrounds at 630 Trinity Rd. S. The live entertainment includes country night on Friday, rock in the park on Saturday and a music mash-up on Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Co-hosted by the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM, ribfest hours are Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
Harbour Night Market
The Hamilton Harbour Night Market is back at Bayfront Park, 200 Harbourfront Dr., for the long weekend. Full of food vendors and so much more. Hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m., Monday from 12 to 6 p.m.
Chasing dragonflies
The Summer Education Series walk and tours in Hamilton's Urquhart Butterfly Garden continue. This weekend, the hour-long walk starts Saturday at 10 a.m., and is hosted by dragonfly expert Brenda Van Ryswyk. 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
Summertide
The Rock Garden at the Royal Botanical Gardens presents Summertide this weekend. The garden will transform into a unique patio experience. Roaming musicians will welcome you to the garden as you tour brilliant perennials bursting with colour. Drop in from Friday to Monday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. No reservations are required. Registrations are needed, however, for the evening experience (19-plus) in which lights will shine through the garden paths. The cost for that is $15 for nonmembers. Tickets are available at the door (1185 York Blvd.) or in advance at rbg.ca.
Model trains
The Burlington Model Railway Club is hosting a public running day on 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 of all ages. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
Fairies at Westfield
Imagine a unique world of fairies. Explore their tiny lives around the abandoned buildings and forests of Westfield Heritage Village. On Sunday and Monday, Westfield hosts the Fairies in the Forest event. Visitors explore fairy displays and historical buildings. There will be demonstrations, a fairy craft centre and great photo opportunities at the Victorian bandstand. Stop by the general store for some treats or pop by the Fairy Shoppe for a unique find. The gift shop will also be open. Buy lunch at the Copetown Lions food trailer. Two-hour reservations are required. They start at 10 a.m. and are available every 15 minutes until 2 p.m. More information at westfieldheritage.ca.
Walking tours
Join Bill King Sunday for a free 90-minute walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This weekend the tour theme is, Poor in the 19th Century. Meet at the corner of King and John streets at 10 a.m. 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 looks at the War of 1812. Visit hamiltonhistory.ca for details.
Eclectic Local
This free music series runs on some Saturdays into September from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on The Gasworks Outdoor Stage (141 Park St. N.) Featured this Saturday is Duo46, an international touring ensemble of guitarist Dr. Matthew Gould and violinist Beth Ilana Schneider-Gould.
Pier 8 Pop Up
Hamilton's new Copps Pier Park at Pier 8 is the home to this year's Pier 8 Pop Ups. Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. is the free Sunset Beach Party. This family-friendly event features DJ Chris Briscoe; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Annie Webber run free crafts for kids with a Teddy Bear picnic at 12 p.m. Kids can bring their favourite stuffy to join them. Did we mention the free ice cream? And, Sunday Sous Bay is back for the outdoor patio party series (cover charge) from 4 to 9 p.m. pier8popups.ca
Emancipation Day
Hamilton's Afro Canadian Caribbean Association presents a virtual presentation on Monday from 2 to 3 p.m. When the Lion Tells the Story, is a virtual celebration and panel discussion hosted by Talibah Howard. Free registration with Eventbrite. accahamilton.com
- Griffin House remains closed for a capital works project.
Game day
The Hamilton Honey Badgers challenge the Niagara River Lions in back-to-back games this weekend. Head to the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines Friday at 7 p.m. and then watch the rematch Sunday at home in the Hammer. Sunday's tipoff is at 2 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com