Hamilton has a wealth of things happening this weekend
Welcome back Hamilton Comic Con, Telling Tales, and autumn events on this first weekend of fall.
Friday and Saturday look sunny with autumn-like daytime highs around 17 C. But take an umbrella Sunday. Environment Canada is calling for a 40 to 60 per cent chance of showers on the final day of the weekend.
Everything is bustling as we all get out and share what our communities have to offer. There is a wealth of activities happening around Hamilton for you to enjoy.
Comic Con
You seek Yoda ... or Superman, a favourite wrestler and any of the more than 20 celebrity guests expected at Hamilton Comic Con this weekend. Pop culture fans join the ranks of cosplay, vendors, workshops, arcade zone, movie memorabilia, collectibles and more. It's all at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Mount Hope. If you didn't get your tickets online before midnight Friday, they are available at the door. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. hamiltoncomiccon.com
- Note the CWHM is closed Sept. 23 to 25.
Telling Tales
The 14th annual Telling Tales Festival kicks into high gear this weekend with a live and in-person event at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hendrie Park. There are two days of programming, including five stages for authors, illustrators and storytellers. More than 40 presenters boast the best in Canadian children's literature and arts. Visit tellingtales.org to view the full program lineup and start planning your visit. Registration is now open for a timed entry admission, there may be a wait list.
HPO
Saturday is opening night for the Hamilton Philharmonic. Gemma New conducts Rachmaninoff at FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a pre-concert talk beginning at 6:30 and concert at 7:30. hpo.org
Indwell celebration
Indwell celebrates a grand opening this weekend with an open house at The Oaks," the former Royal Oak Dairy. The ribbon cutting is Friday with an Indigenous drumming ceremony, barbecue, tours and music. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. is a free concert by Juno Award-winning artist iskw. Both events will take place at The Oaks in the shared courtyard between the three buildings, 247 East Ave. N.
Fair time
Fair season is in full swing and this weekend we have the Ancaster, Wainfleet and Milton fairs. Keep in mind, most fairs will not allow pets. Bring cash and a warm sweater.
Our 172nd Ancaster Fair, 630 Trinity Rd., Jerseyville, runs Thursday to Sunday. Demolition derby, baby show, entertainers, live music, vendors, livestock, midway, crafts and so much more. Admission is $35 for an adult weekend pass. Tickets for the midway are separate.
The Wainfleet fair features pumpkin carving, a midway, cattle and pet shows, a demo derby and more from Thursday to Saturday. This year's theme is Mighty Farm Machines." Admission rates vary. The fairgrounds are located on Highway 3, at 31943 Park St., Wainfleet.
The Milton Fall Fair runs Friday to Sunday with time honoured traditions. Three demolition derbies are featured along with the agricultural awareness tent, livestock display barn, petting zoo, midway, vendors and more. Milton's fairgrounds are at 136 Robert St.
Autumn fun
Corn maze and pumpkin patch! Yup, it's that time of year again. Here are some local farms stacked with fall fun:
Harvest Festival Weekends at Puddicombe Estate run weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in September and October. Puddicombe Farm is located at 1468 Hwy. 8 in Winona. Train rides, a campfire, live entertainment and more.
Tickets are available for Pumpkins After Dark starting Friday, an outdoor 2.5-kilometre drive-thru Halloween event in Milton. Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd. pumpkinsafterdark.com
Halloween Haunt returns to Canada's Wonderland on Friday, transforming the theme park into a scream park filled with thrilling attractions, unspeakable horror and amazing night rides. canadaswonderland.com
Harvest Celebration is Sunday at Paradise Fields, 3355 Golf Club Rd., Binbrook. Educational workshops on organic farming, food preservation, and beekeeping. Hay bails, playground, food vendors and more. paradisefields.ca.
Hops and Harvest
Conservation Halton is hosting its annual outdoor fall festival, Hops and Harvest, at Area 8, Conservation Halton's newest park, on Friday, 2 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local food, craft beverages, market vendors, live music, and a wide range of activities for all ages. hopsandharvest.ca
Outdoor movie night
Gourley Park Community Association on Hamilton Mountain is back at it on Saturday. Gather for an outdoor movie night and more. Event starts at 5:30 p.m. with a bouncy castle, face painting, petting zoo, and obstacle course. Hamilton police and fire services are expected to have a fire truck and police car on display. The movie begins at dusk. Donations of non-perishable items will be collected for the food bank. Gourley Park is just off Brigadoon Drive. Rain date is Oct. 1.
Local theatre
Salt Baby" is live on stage until Oct. 1 at Hamilton's Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St. theatreaquarius.org
HUM Awards
The 8th HUM Awards showcasing Pakistan's prominent celebrities, actors, musicians, dancers, and exhilarating performances is Saturday, starting at 8 p.m., at FirstOntario Centre. Tickets start at $62. ticketmaster.ca
Charity walks and runs
- The 5th and final Stroller Run for Stella is Saturday, 10 a.m., at Confederation Park, Willow Cove Pavillion, 280 Van Wagners Beach Rd. Event is in honour of Dr. Stella Psarakis. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
- The annual Kidney Walk fundraisers are Sunday. All participants hope to raise at least $100. For more information, visit kidneywalk.ca.
- The AIDS Walk, Walk Away from Stigma, is in-person at Pier 4 Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Visit aidsnetwork.ca.
- Sunday's 10th Annual Running for Rachael Charity Run/Walk in support of suicide prevention is at CF Lime Ridge Mall from 9 to 10:30 a.m. runningforrachael.com
- Run for Burlington in support of Jo Brant Hospital, organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, is Sunday, 9 a.m. at Spencer Smith Park. runforburlington.ca
- Bladder Cancer Awareness Walk, Sunday at 10 a.m., registration opens at 9 a.m. Confederation Park, 680 Van Wagners Beach Rd. 5-km walk. bccwalk.ca
Eclectic Local
This free music series wraps up for the season Saturday on The Gasworks Outdoor Stage just steps from James Street, 141 Park St. N., from 5 to 6 p.m. Featured this Saturday is BIG TRBL (Tim Tickner feat. Darcy Hepner) - electric jazz-fusion DJ set with improvised saxophone.
Ottawa Street sidewalk sale
The annual Ottawa Street Sidewalk Sale is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Model trains
It's the end of the season for the Burlington Model Railway Club public display on Saturday. The club hosts the event 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, donations appreciated.
Guinea pig fundraiser
Mischief Stitches, 90 Arcade Cres., is holding a Serenity Guinea Pig Fundraiser on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Along with a lemonade stand and bake sale, you will find a cavy kitchen, guinea pig nail trims, a kissing booth and more. Rain or shine.
Cyclists ride Dundas
Tackle the long ride or just see what it's all about. Rotary Tour de Dundas Gran Fondo gets underway early Sunday morning in Dundas Driving Park. Children aged eight to 11 can join a bicycle Ride Smart skills and safety training program and adult cyclists can challenge themselves by riding one of three routes mapped with rest stations, water and snacks, spaced at intervals for riders. Ride distances are 60, 100 and 160 kilometres. Register at raceroster.com.
Artisans
Meet the makers in person. Artisan Bazaar's outdoor markets run Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. adjacent to the parking lot of the RBG rock garden, 1185 York Blvd. Over 50 artists and artisans with jewelry, pottery, home decor, pet items and fine arts. Admission is $2 (cash only), parking is free. theartisanbazaar.ca
Culture days
Join local artists, cultural professionals and creative organizations to attend free, interactive in-person or online events and activities. Culture Days run Friday to Oct. 16. This year in Burlington, it is extending beyond its traditional weekend format to a more inclusive and interactive three-week schedule of programs and events. culturedays.ca
Postcard show
Step lively at The Golden Horseshoe Post Card Club 35th Annual Antique Picture Post Card Show on Sunday. Doors are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free. Top Canadian dealers are available for buying, selling, trading and valuations. Held in the Parish Hall at The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, 821 Upper Wentworth St.
Tesla Electric City Festival
Engage with commercial exhibitors, tech enthusiasts, hobbyists, science clubs, artists and students and experience demonstrations and performances at the Tesla Electric City Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hamilton became known as The Electric City" after becoming the first Canadian city to receive AC electricity. Celebrate the incredible technological achievements of Nikola Tesla at 900 Woodward Ave. Museum admission applies. teslaelectricfestival.ca
Walking tours
Join Bill King Sunday for a free 90-minute walking tour of downtown Hamilton. Take a tour of Hamilton's Ugliest Buildings" this weekend. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.
Game day
Your Ticats are in Montreal Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com