Best Dundas Festival

36 years ago, the Hamilton District Chamber of Commerce and the Dundas Jaycees began looking for a focus around which to build a community festival.

Dundas, already internationally recognized for the Cacti produced by the local Ben Veldhuis Cactus Greenhouses, the group received Ben’s approval of the name, “Cactus Festival”.  The first festival lasted 9 days, and began with a parade.   It featured sports events, a film night, a casino night, a dance at the community center, and midway rides in Dundas driving park.    Over the years, it grew and in 1979, the downtown merchants agreed to hold their sidewalk sale as part
of the Festival.  Other craft vendors and exhibitors were invited too.

The festival moved to King St. and the reputation of the festival grew, year by year. For the sum of $1.00, the Jaycees sold the rights to the Town. Since 1979, the festival has been tirelessly organized by local volunteers; The Cactus Festival Committee.

Occurring every 3rd weekend in August, ‘Cactus’ attracts visitors from across the nation and is the unofficial ‘homecoming’ event for any and all who have lived in the community.   

This event began tonight... Friday August 17th, and runs until Sunday August 19th.     Some of the activities you can enjoy this weekend are:   Cactus Family Fun Zone, Cactus Fun Zone Stage (children's acts, entertainment & artists), Cactus Red Carpet Meet & Greet (with animated/cartoon characters), Cactus Express Train, and the Fortino's 8th Annual Baby Cactus Contest (happening Sat. August 18th for babies 3-18 months old... every baby entered is recognized and receives and official Cactus Tumbleweed Certificate).    For a list of the activities in the Family Fun Zone and times for the judging of the baby contest, check out  http://www.dundascactusfest.ca/Family_Fun_Zone_DundasCactusFestival.html

While this is a great event for families, there is lots to do for everyone.     Maybe you'd enjoy Art in the Alley, shopping with over 100 vendors, the midway/amusements or take in many of the great acts that will be on the 3 main stages.     Big name acts that will be performing on Saturday evening are "The Spoons" at 630pm and "Honeymoon Suite" at 8pm.    For a list of all acts on the three stages, all weekend long, please visit http://www.dundascactusfest.ca/Events_and_Entertainment_at_The_Festival.html

Admission is FREE to this great Dundas event.

Best Ice Cream Festival

Gosh, need I say more!   You had me at Ice Cream....  This year marks the 8th Annual Westfield Heritage Ice Cream Festival.

Westfield is the perfect setting for families and friends to spend the day not only learning about the history of ice cream, but tasting it too!    There are various demonstrations of historical methods of making ice cream throughout the village... whether it be shaken, hand cranked or motor churned.    You will find ice cream samples in many of the different buildings.

Patrons can also purchase Breyers Ice Cream Cones or Top-Your-Own Sundaes in the Ironwood Ice Cream Parlour.   Those wishing to have more filling food can purchase hotdogs, hamburgers, french fries plus soft serve ice cream in the picnic area.    Also in the picnic area will be DJ Rock'n Ray Michaels, Cartoon Bob and some special performances.

Visitors to this years festival will be treated to a step back in time to an Edwardian Carnival.    There will be carnival games, visit animals in the barn,  free horse and wagon rides and even listen to the pitch of an old fashioned travelling salesman.  

On Sunday, at the Bandstand location will be early Canadian music from 1 til 4 with a couple of 15 minute presentations at 1pm and 330pm called "Looking back to 1912".   From noon til 4pm in the Mountsberg Church will be Babette Puppet Theatre.

On Monday, from 1 til 2pm in the Bandstand will be the Royal Scottish Country Dancers, from 2 til 3pm in the Bandstand will be the Dundas Concert Band, and again from noon til 4pm in the Mountsberg Church will be Babette Puppet Theatre.

The festival takes place Sunday August 5th, 2012 and Monday August 6th, 2012 from 10am to 4pm.   For more information please visit www.westfieldheritage.ca

Best Unique Accessories

I love shopping local and I love to browse unique shops where you can find merchandise that is makes a community a destination place to shop.      My mom, grandmother and I were shopping on Concession Street in Hamilton last week and came across a really great shop for ladies.

Linseed's, is a wonderful shop that has all kinds of unique accessories and items.     You can find co-ordinating jewelery sets (earrings, necklace... maybe a ring or bracelet), shoes and purses, scarves, watches, one of a kind jewelery, fascinators, headbands, jeweled combs/barretts and even some wall art.  I found lots of beautiful and different Breast Cancer accessories too. 

The greatest part about the store is everything is already grouped for you by colour.      They had everything you'd need grouped for you in green, orange, yellow, red, blue, black, pink or purple etc....    At Linseed's you will find special occasion jewelery that has a little more bling, or you can find lots of great everyday costume jewelery that is great to accessorize with outfits for work.   You can also find some lovely bridal accessories too.

They even carry name brands like Nine West, and I found the prices to be really really good.    So the next time you have a special occasion coming up or have a specific colour of accessory that you are having trouble finding to go with your outfit, check out Linseed's in Hamilton at 542 Concession Street (just east of Upper Wentworth) near the Zarky's.    Just look for the red awning and enjoy shopping at Linseed's!

   

Best Liquidation Sale

As much as I am looking forward to seeing Target come to town next spring, I am sad to see another Canadian store going out of business.    Our local Zellers will close it's doors on September 15th.     Total liquidation of the store has begun.     Even the fixtures of the store and cart corrals in the parking lot are for sale!      Currently, promotions say that there are "up to 40%" selected items.     I have been to the store several times over the last couple of weeks looking for bargains, and yes there is a clearance area where things are 40% off, but mostly everything is 20% off.     Still a great discount and great to go in now while there is still some selection available.     

Right now they are having their mid-summer blowout.    So in additional to the the sale prices, SAVE an EXTRA 50% off all Previously Reduced Fashion & Footwear and SAVE 40% off all Yellow ticket Bedding. PLUS Clearance coupon Savings! Ends July 19th.     To get your clearance coupon please visit....     https://www.facebook.com/ZellersCanada/app_190322544333196

To stay informed on all their sales and get on-line coupons, make sure you "Like"  Zellers Canada on Facebook.

 

Best Waterdown Free Movie Night

Last weekend was Ribfest in Waterdown, and one of the things I loved most about the event was the Community feeling I had each time I went there.     Waterdown is such a lovely small town, and it is at Community events where you realize just how small of a community we live in.    

The Watedown BIA (Business Improvement Area), has put together 3 FREE Movie nights to be held in Memorial Park (corner of Parkside and Hamilton Streets in Waterdown).    Bring a lawnchair or a blanket, find a spot and connect with your neighbours while enjoying a great family movie.    

The BIA has asked 3 local businesses to sponsor the event and others are participating by providing food or concessions for sale.   What a great idea for ``Movies in Memorial Park``.

Three FREE Movie Events July 13th - Aug. 5th - Aug. 24th
In Memorial Park
(Hamilton St. & Parkside Drive)

Friday July 13th - 7:00 p.m. - Entertainment begins...
- Hot Dogs & Burgers at 1950 prices - Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill
- Coffee and Sweets - Jitterbug Cafe
- Cotton Candy - Community Church
Movie - 'THE LORAX' - begins at Dusk - about 9:00 p.m.
Sponsored by 'Waterdown Optometric Clinic' - 905-689-7234

---

Sunday August 5th - 7:00 p.m. - Entertainment begins...
Movie - 'TOY STORY 3' - begins at Dusk - about 9:00 p.m.
Sponsored by 'Ward 15 Councillor - Judi Partridge'

---

Friday August 24th - Starts at 7:00 p.m. - Entertainment begins...
- Hot Dogs & Burgers at 1950 prices - Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill
- Coffee and Sweets - Jitterbug Cafe
- Cotton Candy - Community Church                    
Movie - 'HUGO' - begins at Dusk - about 9:00 p.m.
Sponsored in part by 'Gary Titley & Associates' - 905-689-2800
& the Waterdown BIA

For more information about the Waterdown BIA or other current events, please visit their website....

http://www.waterdownbia.ca/Current_Events.html

Best Canada Day Celebrations

School's out for summer!!!!    I still consider when the kids get out of school as the official start of summer.     The countdown is on.

If you are going to be in town this weekend, "THE" place to be is right here in Waterdown for the Oh Canada Ribfest.    Not only are some of the best "Ribbers" in North America going to be at Memorial Park bbq'ing up a storm, there are many different food vendors, merchandise vendors, entertainment (like a midway, singer  Brian Melo, various bands, the movie "Rio" shown on a big outdoor screen in the park, dance performances from local studios) and Fireworks on Sunday July 1st!   The Rotary Club of Waterdown pays to put on during Ribfest and they are looking for donations from the public to help cover the cost of this entertainment they provide.    If you go onto the official website for Ribfest   http://ohcanadaribfest.ca   you can donate right on-line on their website.

Make sure you go to this link  http://ohcanadaribfest.ca/?page_id=407    to print off a coupon for $3 off a Half Rack Rib dinner which is valid Monday July 2nd only between 11am to 1pm.

You can also get the schedule for events that are happening on the website as well, just click on the "Entertainment" tab.

This will be the 3rd Annual Oh Canada Ribfest.   Waterdown's Ribfest has become a marquis event for the community, drawing rib fans from throughout Southwestern Ontario.  Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Flamborough AM and Rotary Club of Waterdown, this four-day festival will celebrate Canada Day, and recognize new Canadians, while raising much-needed funds for the many local and international charities, projects and humanitarian causes that the Rotary Clubs support.   Don’t miss the official Citizenship Court to swear in new Canadians, July 1 at 1:30

2012 Oh Canada Ribfest Hours

Friday June 29 3:00pm - 11:30pm
Saturday June 30 11:00am - 11:30pm
Sunday July 1st 11:00am - 11:30pm
Monday July 2nd 11:00am - 6:00pm

Best Free Museum Weekend (Burlington)

Looking for something interesting to do this weekend??   Burlington has many interesting historical attractions right down in the core, and this weekend you can tour them for free in a City of Burlington special event called "Doors Open Burlington"

Some of the great attractions that will have their "Doors Open" for free this weekend are Burlington Art Centre, Easterbrooks Hot Dog Stand, Emma's Backporch, Gingerbread House Gardens, Ireland House, Joseph Brant Museum, the RBG and more.  

To learn more about this great event...  follow this link http://cms.burlington.ca/Page7811.aspx  or drop into the Tourism Burlington offices (which is the Doors Open Burlington Headquarters) located at 414 Locust Street in downtown Burlington.

A copy of the information from the City of Burlington website is below....

June 9 & 10, 2012 Landmark Buildings Open their Doors for FREE!

The City of Burlington and the Doors Open Organizing Committee are hosting the 2012 Burlington Doors Open event on Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10, 2012. Our 2011 event was a great success with almost 5,000 visits to our 19 sites.

Every year, Doors Open Ontario attracts large crowds across the province. From April to October, residents and visitors are invited to discover first-hand various communities’ heritage, natural and cultural resources. Since the program was launched in 2002, over 3 million people have visited sites participating in this exciting initiative. Festival and Events Ontario recognized Doors Open Ontario as one of the Top 100 Ontario Festivals.

On June 9 and 10, residents and visitors to the City will be given the remarkable opportunity to learn about places and spaces normally not open to the general public or for which an admission fee is usually charged. The event will help our community celebrate its heritage, strengthen and encourage local partnerships and stimulate tourism and the local economy. Admission to all Doors Open events and sites is free!

Highlights include guided heritage walking tours, the Fine Art and Craft Festival, mini performances by our student theatre and an antique/classic car display. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens Centre and buy a famous foot-long hotdog at the historic Easterbrook's hotdog stand in our new Aldershot cluster of sites. Featured sites for the 2012 event will be announced soon.