A dozen or so summertime things to do around Hamilton
Enjoying summer so far?
Here are a dozen or so summertime things to do around Hamilton this weekend.
Environment Canada is calling for possible showers over the weekend but keep that sunscreen handy, temperatures are expected to be around 28 C on Saturday and 24 C on Sunday.
Dieppe memorial
Hamilton is marking the 80th anniversary of the raid on Dieppe with a memorial service at the Dieppe Veterans Memorial Park, 1033 Beach Blvd., on Friday from 11 a.m. to Noon.
Concerts in the park
Hamilton's Summer Concert Series, features free outdoor concerts through the summer. Jazz in the Creek hits Downtown Stoney Creek Friday at 5 p.m. Head down to 54 King St. E. for Nezqwik at 5 and 6 p.m. shows, and Garnetta & Dagroovmasters at 7 and 8 p.m.
Brew crawl
Pop in for a pint during the Ottawa Street Brew Crawl Friday night between 5 and 11 p.m. Six local breweries will be featured in sample or full-sized pours at The Argyle, Ottawa Market and Endless! Beer. Exploring Ottawa Street North has never looked so refreshing.
- Ottawa Street Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dundas Cactus Festival
This tradition of late summer is back in full swing in Dundas valley. The 47th Dundas Cactus Festival includes a midway, vendors, patios, entertainment, baby contest, teddy bear picnic and much more. Hours are Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. dundascactusfest.ca
It's all Greek
The Greek Festival is back at the Panagia Greek Church Courtyard, 233 East 15th, at Inch Park. Kids can enjoy the bouncy castle, sweet treats, face painting and more. Of course there will be food - gyros, souvlaki and did someone say baklava? Music, vendors and more. Hours are Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 9 p.m.
Beer and ribs
Stroll through the Hamilton Rib and Beer Fest this weekend in Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E. There will be a beer market, live music, ribs and other meats, classic festival food, giant yard games, kids zone and more. Donations to the rotary club encouraged, on Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 11 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 7 p.m. Some vendors are cash only.
Craftadian market
The Craftadian Summer Market is Saturday at McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Rd. S. Vendors, live music and gourmet food from top Canadian handmade designers, creators, makers and artisans. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Urquhart nature walk
It's nearing end of summer for the weekly Butterfly and Nature Identification walk and tours. Free public workshops are held each Saturday until Aug. 27 at Hamilton's Urquhart Butterfly Garden. This Saturday join the free nature in the garden workshop with Brian Wylie starting at 10 a.m. Bring a chair and wear a hat. You will spend the hour in the full sun of the garden. The event will be cancelled in the event of rain. 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
Stories in the Stones
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 Firefighters Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.
Keep Women Safe Walk
Meet at the top of the Chedoke stairs in Cliffview Park along Scenic Drive for the Keep Women Safe Walk along the Chedoke Radial Trail starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Organized on Facebook by Melissa Kelly, the walk hopes to create awareness about the safety of women on Hamilton trails and streets.
Downtown walking tour
Join Bill King Sunday for a free 90-minute walking tour of downtown Hamilton. This weekend find out about Tyburn's Tree," as the tour focus is capital punishment and public hangings in the 19th century. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.
Unlocke Sunday
Sundays Unlocked are back on Hamilton's Locke Street this summer. Live music, vendors, workshops and outdoor dining. The street is open to pedestrians on the event dates: Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Joseph Brant Museum
The Beyond Human Limits exhibit continues at the museum with your regular prepaid admission. Explore the psychology, physiology and physicality of some of the most extreme activities in the world through interactive exhibits and immersive environments. Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd. The museum is closed on Sundays.
CNE
Some feel it's the start of the end of summer but we say, bring in on! Canadian National Exhibition starts Friday and runs until Labour Day. Organizers promise several new attractions as well as familiar favourites. The new features include a nightly drone show and a Celtic food truck festival. For more on The Ex and all the fall fairs happening around Hamilton visit thespec.com.
- Weekend GO train service is expected to be adjusted for the CNE to ease crowding at Exhibition station. Check your schedule.
Game day
Hamilton footballers take to Tim Hortons Field on Saturday evening. Forge FC kick off against York United FC at 7 p.m. (new time). Plus, the full Hamilton squad will be signing autographs after the match. ticketmaster.ca
Our Ticats take on Montreal at Molson Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. Listen to the game here: https://ticats.ca/listen
Looking ahead
Mark the date for Hamilton's SuperCrawl 2022 for Sept. 9, 10 and 11.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com