PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Weekends are short and you’ll want to make the most of yours. There’s a wiener dog festival, ribfest, CANUSA Games and more. Here are seven things for you to do this weekend in the Hamilton area.

Ribfest

Hamilton Ribfest is at Gage Park this weekend. Be ready for three days of food, fun and entertainment. Attractions for children and adults will keep everyone happy. Admission is free and Ribfest features a variety of food vendors, craft booths, music and entertainment, and a kids’ zone. New this year is the craft beer market. Hours are 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11-11 p.m. Saturday and 11-7 p.m. Sunday; northernheatribseries.ca.

Wiener-paw-looza!

It's got to be the shortest event around. Wiener dog races, barbecue, games, costumes, venders and more. Support the Canadian Dachshund Rescue on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Confederation Park, 585 Van Wagners Beach Rd.

Jazz fest

Burlington Dowtown Jazz Fest features four free jazz performances. Saturday; Shirantha Beddage Quintet at 4 p.m., Elise Legrow at 6 p.m., and on Sunday; Coco Love Alcorn at 2 p.m., Mikes Downes Quartet at 4 p.m. on the Plaza at Burlington Performing Art Centre, 440 Locust St.

CANUSA

CANUSA Games, a competition of international competition between Hamilton and Flint, Mich., is Friday through Sunday in Hamilton. The games are an Olympic-style competition bringing together more than 1,400 athletes who participate in the friendly rivalry of 16 sports. Opening ceremonies are at Bernie Arbour Stadium Friday at noon, and closing ceremonies are Sunday at 9 a.m.

For sporting areas and times, see canusagames.com.

Outdoor movie

Bring your blanket, sleeping bag or folding chair and watch a show in the great outdoors on Saturday. Films in Forest features Despicable Me 3 at Fifty Point Conservation Area, 1497 Baseline Rd., Grimsby. Film starts at dusk. Admission is $15 per car. Crock A Doodle Grimsby will be on site prior to the film.

Children’s museum

The Garage Sale for Kids by Kids offers deals on gently used goods this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and enjoy 1978 admission rates .50 cents for adults and .25 cents for children - all day long. Vendor registrations are still open to children aged 6 to 12 years. Call 905546-4848.

Fort Erie re-enactment

Wander a little farther afield this weekend for the 33rd annual Siege of Fort Erie. The annual siege offers the opportunity to experience living history as the preserved grounds of Old Fort Erie are transformed into the historic battlefield where hundreds of British and American troops waged war. Three major battle scenes will be created; Saturday afternoon is Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane Battle, followed by Drummond’s Night Assault on the Fort in the evening, and on Sunday is the American Sortie.