DIG INTO RIBS IN BINBROOK

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.

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 about 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 at 7 p.m. Enjoy some live music before the sky gets lit up by a dazzling display at dusk. No pets. 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

The Hamilton Cardinals take on the London Majors, 2:05 p.m., at Bernie Arbour stadium. Adults $12, seniors and youth $8, children under 10 are free.

Ribs

The Northern Heat Rib Series is back in town, until 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. 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.

Happy Victoria Day! Fireworks will light up the night sky at Dundas Driving Park on Sunday at about 9:30 p.m. when it’s dark enough to enjoy the colourful pyrotechnics. Free, but parking is limited

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. Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Adults $24, seniors $21, youth $13.

Paintin’ at the pub

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