WEEKEND PLANNER
The weekend is here and we’ve been promised some spectacular weather with sunshine and highs around 21C. There is lots going on with Halloween Happenings, the chrysanthemum show and the re-opening of Hamilton Children’s Museum.
Big top mums
You’re Under the Bog Top at the 97th annual Hamilton Fall Garden and Mum Show. The Chrysanthemum Show is an amazing floral display created by some of Hamilton’s finest horticulture staff. The display is a breathtaking feature of more than 200 varieties of Chrysanthemums, and 75,000-plus blooms. You will also find 10 days of programs and events, including radiant talks, live music, special events, vendors, tours, evening socials and so much more. Catch the colour and flare of Hamilton’s annual mum show from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until Oct. 29, at the Gage Park Greenhouse. Tickets are $6.75; seniors and children are $5.75; five years and under free. Saturday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., special event is Murder Mystery — Murder Under the Big Top. Advance tickets only for this event $60 per person.
Children’s Museum opens
Hamilton’s Children’s Museum re-opens on Saturday after a month-long closure. A new exhibit, Eugenia, is featured. The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Saturday you can join the museum for What Are Fossils activity from 10 a.m. to noon. The museum is located in Gage Park, 1072 Main St. E. Admission is $2 adults, $4 for children, and $9 for a family.
Futures and fortunes
Tarot, palmistry, crystal ball and aura readings, past lives, numerology, astrology and deep-trance channelling are featured at the Hamilton Psychic Expo, Friday, noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 150 King St. E. Admission $10. psychicexpos.com
Home improvement show
Get inspired by hundreds of exhibitors at the Ancaster Home Show, Friday, 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Rd. Regular admission $5 each and parking is free. Visit the website for admission coupon. jenkinsshow.com
AGH BMO World Film Festival
Saturday is the final day for you to enjoy Hamilton’s own film festival. This year’s festival featured 40 outstanding films from around the globe. Don’t miss the festival’s free Closing Night Party on Saturday, 9 p.m. at Collective Arts Brewing following the screening of “Miss Sharon Jones.” Single film tickets are $12 for nonmembers, you can pre-purchase in person or online. aghfilmfest.com
A Celebration in Stories
GritLIT presents a day of readings, interviews and a writing workshop celebrating local authors, themes and Indigenous culture. Featuring: Shannon Bramer, Daniel Coleman, Sally Cooper, Cherie Dimaline, Krista Foss, Lee Maracle, John Terpstra, Zoe Whittall. GritLIT is Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Staircase Theatre. Tickets are $7 for mainstage events, $15 writing workshop, $20 booklovers pass and $25 writers pass. Visit gritLIT.ca
Halloween happenings
It’s Pumpkin Sunday from 12:30 to 4 p.m., at Westfield Heritage Village with games, crafts and pumpkin-themed activities. Admission is $11 for adults, $10 seniors, and $6.50 for children 6 to 12. Parking is free. Westfield Heritage Village is located at 1049 Kirkwall Rd., Rockton. The Halton County Radial Railway’s Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday night involves a walk through the haunted car barn, creaky streetcars, apple cider and more. Halloween fans are encouraged to come dressed in costume. Runs 6:30 to 10 p.m., last car departs at 9:20 p.m. Admission is $15. The Halton County Radial Railway is at 13629 Guelph Line, Milton. hcry.org Bizarro’s Factory of Fear Haunted Attraction runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 each for the factory at Mizener’s Antiques and Flea Market, 367 Hwy. 5, Dundas. Mountsberg Conservation Area’s Halloween Spooktacular runs weekends throughout October. Crafts, Pumpkin Passport to Discovery, wagon ride and face painting. Free with park admission. Wear a costume when you visit. Splashing Pumpkins Fall Festival on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, 45 Ellis Ave. The entire swimming pool will be filled with pumpkins ready to take home and carve. It’s free, and participants toss a hula hoop into the pool to snag their pumpkin. Face-painting, haunted games room, photo booth, candy apples, raffles and more are featured. Pumkin Prowl on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., Belview Park, 205 Belmont Ave. Starlite Drive-in features two horror movies Saturday night. Admission is $10 per car. Features are Jack-O at 8, followed by Back From Hell. The drive-in is located at 59 Green Mountain Rd. E., Stoney Creek. Pumpkinfest in on at Gourley Park this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides, photo booth, petting zoo, climbing wall, bounce castle, magician, Halloween games, and much more. Admission is free. Gourley Park is located at 142 Duncairn Cres., off Brigadoon Drive.