WEEKEND PLANNER
Sun, cloud and flurries, we couldn’t have more wintery weather. No reason to hibernate. Get out and have some fun in the Hamilton area this weekend. Here are nine ways you can do it.
Winterfest fun
Hamilton’s Winterfest continues with many events running daily through Feb. 17. Here are eight fun festival events to get you out and about. For more events and details, go to hamiltonwinterfest.ca. Hamilton Winterfest signature events include comedy night with Graham Chittenden on Friday, 7:30 p.m., and Owen Pallett in concert Saturday, 8 p.m. Both events are at Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre, 57 Discovery Dr. Tickets, available until Friday, are $30 plus tax. The North Central Community Association Pancake Breakfast is Saturday at 10 a.m. in the gym at Eva Rothwell Centre, 460 Wentworth St. N. Crafts, entertainment and pancakes. Free. Hamilton Public Library Central Branch hosts Movies for Adults on Saturday, 1 p.m. The “Amazing Grace” documentary presents Aretha Franklin with choir in 1972. hpl.ca
Concession Street is decked out for Winterfest on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Head toward 555 Concession St., where you will find pop-up canteens for hot chocolate, air hockey and music. Visits from Olaf and Bonhomme. Roast a marshmallow and play some street hockey outdoors, or enjoy live music, games, dance and more indoors, all at Beasley Winterfest, 96 Mary St., Sunday starting at 2 p.m. ourbeasley.com
Hamilton Flea is a collection of vendors hosted in unique Hamilton venues. Sunday’s winter market celebrates Winterfest at the Hamilton Waterfront Trust, 57 Discovery Dr., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2. hamiltonflea.ca Japanese Film Festival: “Kagemusha,” Sunday, 1 p.m., at Hamilton Public Library Central Branch. Japaneselanguage film shown with English subtitles.
There’s free skating for all ages on Friday at Glanbrook Arena from 7:30-9 p.m., Carlisle arena from 8-10 p.m., Rosedale
Arena from 7-8 p.m.; Saturday at Lawfield Arena from 2-4 p.m., Valley Park Arena from 11-12:30 p.m., Coronation Arena from 2-4 p.m.; and on Sunday at Mountain arena from 2-3:45 p.m., Saltfleet Arena from 12:30-2 p.m., Glanbrook Arena from 1-3 p.m. and Grightmire arena from 2-3:30 p.m.
Drop a line
for ice fishing. Only catch-and-release fishing is permitted, and bait and rental huts are not available. For updated ice conditions, call Valens at 905-525-2183 or 519-621-6029. The Valens Conservation Area is located at 1691 Regional Rd. 97, (RR 6), Flamborough. valens@conservationhamilton.ca á Register now for the Valens annual ice fishing derby Family Day weekend, Feb. 15, from sunrise to 1 p.m. This is a catch-and-release bluegill, crappie and perch derby. Tickets are available in advance or day-of for $25 per adult and $15 per child (12 and under).
Also at Valens, Fifty Point offers skating on the pond. Valens Lake will have cleared sections on the lake offering areas to skate as well as a separate hockey area. Do not walk out onto frozen lakes or ponds unless it is posted safe to do so.
Game times
The Bulldogs are at home Friday and Saturday. Hamilton takes on the Ottawa 67’s Friday at 7 p.m.; and Flint Firebirds at 4 p.m. Saturday, both at FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd. Tickets, from $22 to $26, are available through ticketmaster.ca or at the box office.