PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Canada’s 151st birthday is Sunday and with it comes our first real taste of summer. Hamilton is under a heat advisory so be sure you have plenty of water and know where you can take shelter before you go. Have a fun and safe Canada Day weekend.
Dundas trail centre
Join the anniversary celebrations of the Trail Centre at Dundas Valley Conservation Area on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The centre celebrates 40 years on Saturday with a barbecue and cake. Sausage and hamburgers with a pop, juice or water are $3. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you visit, you can picnic in the shaded patio area and check out the interpretive panels. Rediscover the Trail Centre. Regular park admission applies.
It’s Your Festival
Celebration, culture and Canada: It’s Your Festival runs Saturday to Monday at Gage Park. Free admission to more than 150 vendors, 25 foods of the world booths, 40 service groups, five stages of live entertainment, beer garden, midway, Canada Day ceremonies, family fun zone and so much more. Join your neighbours at Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E., noon to 11 p.m. daily. itsyourfestival.ca
Sticky fingers
Waterdown’s Oh Canada! Ribfest is sure to hit the spot this weekend. The festival runs Friday from 3 to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., all at Memorial Park on Hamilton Street in Waterdown. The festival is about more than meat. It also has great entertainment on two stages, from dance groups, musicians, singers and more. Fireworks display is Sunday at dusk. Entrance is free, donations accepted for the Rotary Club. You will need cash for ribs, two cash machines on site. For a complete lineup, go to ohcanadaribfest.ca
Family fishing
Give yourself to the great outdoors. Family Fishing Week begins Saturday and runs until July 8. Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without a licence. For more information, call Valens Lake at 905-525-2183, Fifty Point at 905-525-2187 or Christie Lake at 905-628-3060 or ontariofamilyfishing.com
Walking tours
Learn abut the War of 1812 and the Fort at Burlington Heights from fort to cemetery on Saturday. Stories in the Stones: War of 1812 Tour runs rain or shine with volunteer tour guides. Participants of this free event are asked to bring necessary food or drink, dress for the weather and meet at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd. This walking tour runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is not required.
Join Bill King on Sunday for a free walking tour of downtown Hamilton. Celebrate Canada Day by finding statues, symbols and other reflections of Canadians’ national pride right here in Hamilton. Meet at Sir John A. Macdonald’s statue in Gore Park at 10 a.m.
Lights on the bay
Macassa Bay Yacht Club presents Parade of Lights on Saturday, 6:30 p.m., at the harbourfront. The parade is open to all power and sailboats in the harbour. Participating boats are lit for the parade which runs from the Haida to Bayfront Park. Participants must register at mbycparadeoflights@gmail.com prior to the event.
Canada Day Celebration
Celebrate at Bayfront and Pier 4 Park this Canada Day. Sunday’s festivities begin at noon. Free live performances, children’s activities, local food trucks and a dazzling fireworks finale starting at 10 p.m. Bayfront Park is located at 200 Harbour Front Dr. There will be a free shuttle service every 20 minutes from downtown Hamilton to the park. Limited parking is available near the parks at the West Harbour GO Station.
Burlington
City celebrations are Sunday at Spencer Smith Park from noon to 10 p.m. They have packed the day full of entertainment and family-friendly activities such as a 5K and fun run, yoga, dog performances, vendors and more. Burlington Teen Tour Band kicks it all off at the main stage at noon, and the grand finale fireworks are set to start at 10 p.m. There will be a free shuttle service from the north side of the Burlington GO station off Queensway Dr. to the downtown Transit Terminal on John St., from noon to 11 p.m. The City of Burlington encourages all attendees to bring refillable water bottles. Water stations will be available. No pets allowed. Events hotline is 905-335-7766.
Tattoo
The annual Canada Day Military Tattoo is Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy the Regimental Band of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums as they perform in front of Dundurn Castle. Catch a glimpse of the red-coated defenders of Canada West at Ridgeway during the Fenian Raid of 1866, as the 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard takes the field. The park is located at 610 York Blvd. and the event is free.
Welcome aboard
Don’t miss the noon day gun firing on Sunday as the HMCS Haida celebrates Canada’s 151st birthday. Make HMCS Haida part of your Canada Day celebrations. Refreshments to follow. The Haida is at 658 Catharine St. N. Call 526-6742. Go to hmcshaida.com
Waterworks
Celebrate Canada Day at Wild Waterworks with flags, pins, stickers. Service persons receive free entry and those wearing red and white will receive $3 off admission at the gate not applicable with sundown rates. Join in the fun with Canada-themed games and contests on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. wild-waterworks.com
Heritage Village
Westfield Heritage Village celebrates Canada on Sunday and Monday from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Experience history as Westfield celebrates early Canada. Regular admission applies. Visit the gardens and forests, stroll on the boardwalk or take a hike on the trails; 1049 Kirkwall Rd., off Highway 8 in Rockton. conservationhamilton.ca
Lynden celebrates
You’re sure to find charm and excitement in the village of Lynden this Canada Day. The festival begins with the parade at 11 a.m. and continues through to fireworks at dusk. You will find activities and fun at Lions Park, 4070 Governor’s Rd., Ancaster, throughout the day.
AGH
The Art Gallery of Hamilton is open this weekend, including Monday.
Safe to swim?
Pier 4 and Bayfront Park beaches are closed. Christie Conservation Area, Beach Boulevard, Van Wagner’s, Confederation Park and Binbrook Conservation Area beaches are all open after recent testing. In Halton, the following beaches are closed because of the high water levels: Bronte Beach Park, Coronation Park East and West. Beachway Park, Brant Street Beach, Kelso Conservation Area and Prospect Park Old Beach are open for swimmers after recent testing. For more information, call 905-546-2189 for Hamilton and 1-866-442-5866 for Halton. Go to: hamilton.ca/beaches or halton.ca/beaches.
What’s open, what’s closed
• Most retailers, including grocery stores, banks, beer and liquor stores, will be closed Monday.
• All Hamilton and Burlington municipal offices and museums, are closed on Monday. For Hamilton emergencies involving roads, water mains, sewer systems, public health and safety issues, call 905546-2489.
• Hamilton libraries are closed Sunday and Monday.
• Hamilton senior centres, outdoor pools, Dundas Driving Park and Gage Park wading pools are open for regularly schedule programming all weekend. Recreation Centres will be on modified hours and programs on Monday. All arenas are closed Monday.
• Burlington pools, arenas and community centres on their own schedules, see your local facility for detailed programming.
• The Hamilton Farmers’ Market is open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday.
• Hamilton garbage collection is on your regular day; no changes are in effect. Halton collection is closed Monday, waste collection is delayed by one day.
• HSR will operate on a Sunday/ holiday schedule on Monday. Burlington Transit will run on a Sunday schedule on Monday.
• DARTS is on holiday service hours on Monday.