Things to do around Hamilton on Victoria Day weekend

The long weekend is finally upon us.

If you don't have a smile on your face, an extra day off will surely bring one.

Saturday has a chance of rain, but the rest of the weekend looks to be sunny with a high of 18 C in the forecast for Sunday.

Here are a few leisurely ways to enjoy your days.

Fireworks

For some, the May long weekend would not be complete without rambunctious explosions in the sky. The City of Hamilton limits firework use on private property - no streets, parks or schoolyards - between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day. Keep safety in mind if setting off your own.

Public firework displays in the area:

• Fireworks at Dundas Driving Park are back this Sunday. The free event, run by the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley, has afternoon programming beginning at 4 p.m. and running until dark. The big event shoots off at approximately 9:30 p.m., when the sky is dark enough to enjoy the colourful pyrotechnics. Parking is limited; no personal fireworks or sparklers permitted.

• Caledonia has its own free fireworks show at the fairgrounds on Sunday night. Enjoy some live music before the sky gets lit up by a dazzling display at dusk. No pets. The tunes tremble at 7 p.m. Rain date is Monday.

• Niagara-on-the-Lake is hosting the Virgil Stampede, Saturday to Monday. There's a midway, rides, an outdoor food court, a variety of activities for kids, free pony rides and more. Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Monday, and 11 a.m. Sunday. A fireworks display wraps up the event Monday at 9:30 p.m. Adults $5, kids under 10 are free and Sunday admission is free.

Game Day

Forge FC is at Tim Hortons Field this Friday, 7 p.m., taking on Vancouver FC. Tickets start at $29.

The Hamilton Cardinals are playing two games this weekend at Bernie Arbour stadium. Come out to support the team as it plays its home opener against the Guelph Royals, Friday at 7:35 p.m. Then on Sunday, the Cardinals take on the London Majors, 2:05 p.m. Adults $12, seniors and youth $8, kids under 10 are free.

Ribs

The Northern Heat Rib Series is back in town, from Friday to Monday, with carnival treats and various meats. It's at the Binbrook Fairgrounds, and there's kids entertainment including Canine Circus Performances, live music and more. Parking is free, with admission $2 per person, and kids under 12 get in free. Friday 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon til 11 p.m., Monday 12 to 7 p.m.

Library

There's always something to do at the library and this weekend is no exception:

• Multiple branches of the Hamilton Public Library are hosting a LEGOmania program on Saturday. Ages 4 to 12, times vary between branches. Build, imagine and play with the popular tiny plastic building blocks.

• Learn about pollination at the Saltfleet branch this Saturday, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Make seed balls with milkweed seeds to help create habitats for monarch caterpillars, ages 8 to 12.

• Monday at the Central branch downtown, you can watch the Ice Hockey World Championship on the big screen. Canada plays at 9:20 a.m. against Norway.

Great outdoors

Take a stroll in your neighbourhood, pop over to a conservation area or visit the RBG.

• Lilacs are in peak bloom this weekend, and the best place to see, and smell, them is at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Visit the lilac dell, admission $10 per person, parking at the Arboretum is limited and time-ticketed. Pre-book online for guaranteed access, $10, and members get in free.

• If a leisurely hike and waterfall spotting is more your thing, the city is ripe with options. The Hamilton Conservation Authority has implemented an online reservation system for long weekends from May to September. You'll need to book a two-hour time slot starting Saturday if you want to visit Spencer Gorge, which includes Dundas Peak, Tew Falls and Webster Falls - though each require separate advanced reservations. Admission $11 per car, $5 per passenger plus a $10 reservation fee. Be forewarned, bylaw will be patrolling the neighbourhoods and ticketing if you park elsewhere.

Concession

It's the first Sidewalk Sounds of the year, this Saturday. Groove to some live music along Concession Street and munch on some grub, 12 to 6 p.m. Sidewalk Sounds is every third Saturday of the month, ending in September.

Beatlemania

Brantford is calling you to come check out the Liverpool 4. The Canadian tribute band to the Fab Four is at the Sanderson Centre on Friday night, tickets are $45, and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Youthful glee

If you're into modern pop mash-ups and enthusiastic kids bopping to the latest hits, visit Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre this weekend. This pop-rock show choir is put on by Grade 5 to 8 students of Theatre Ancaster's Stage 2: GLEE program. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Adults $24, seniors $21, youth $13.

Painting

Get buzzed and tap into your inner artist at Pub Fiction in Ancaster. Caila's Paint Nite provides all the supplies, you just need to bring your best Bob Ross impression. Paint those happy little trees during happy hour, Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. $48

Delaney Caulfield is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach her via email: dcaulfield@thespec.com