Ontario Summer Fun Newsletter – Things to do in Ontario

Things to do & Places to stay in Ontario

APRIL 4, 2019

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What are YOU going to do this weekend?

Ontario festivals to experience this summer!

There are festivals in Ontario every single weekend, all year long. We’re just going to get you started with a few during the busy summer months, so you can plan ahead. Don’t forget that there are soooo many more on our website in the Festivals Category and on our event calendar, which also includes some smaller, more local events. We’ve highlighted a few each month, in different regions and categories (music, food, theatre, fair) but this is really JUST a taste!

JUNE

Dunnville Mudcat Festival June 6-9 (SW) has a midway, live bands, food & strongman/women competitions. Redpath Waterfront Festival June 29-July 1 (GTA) celebrates Canada with the Tall Ships + music, food and activities. 1000 Islands Ribfest June 28-30 (Eastern) has awesome ribs and pulled pork and great music too! Alvinston Pro Rodeo June 14-16 (SW) has a rodeo followed by a cowboy dance. Rough camping available too! TD FCCM Taste of Asia Festival June 28-30 (GTA) is Canada’s largest Asian fest and has delish Asian street food and dazzling multicultural performances.

JULY

Kincardine Scottish Festival & Highland Games - July 5-7 (SW) features Pipe Band competitions, Highland dance, Highland sports & live music. Music Niagara Festival - July 14 – Aug 10 offers Cdn and int’l musicians performing at intimate venues in Niagara on the Lake. Belleville Waterfront & Multicultural Fest – July 11-14 (Eastern) is one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals with free admission & a multicultural food village. Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival - July 3-14 has 160 shows in 45 venues incl free music at the Fringe Patio. Kemptville Live Music Festival - July 18-21 (Ottawa) has 4 days of live music, camping, food trucks & fun. Festival Of The Sound - July 19-Aug 10 (Central) is Canada’s finest Classical, Jazz, & Folk music festival. Kapuskasing Lumberjack Heritage Festival - July 26-28, 2019 (Northern) has amateur lumberjack competitions, story-telling & outdoor concerts.

AUGUST

Havelock Country Jamboree - Aug 15-18 (Central) is Canada's Largest Live Outdoor Country Music & Camping Festival. Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) - Aug 16-Sept 2 may signal the end of summer, but we still look forward to it every year! Forest Festival - Aug 14-18 (Central) has incredible music in 2 cool venues on the shore of Bone Lake. Brockville’s Big River Fest (Eastern) will have 20 events culminating in the Tall Ships Festival – Aug 30-Sept 1. Navan Fair - Aug 8-11 (Ottawa) is a rural celebration of agriculture and entertainment.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival (GTA)- Sept 7-9 is Mississauga’s musical Mardi Gras with a full-on street party on Saturday. Picton Fair Sept 6-8 in PEC is one of Ontario’s oldest fairs with old fashioned fun! Port Elgin Pumpkinfest - Oct 5-6 (SW) has a giant vegetable weigh-off, one of Ontario’s largest car shows and more. Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show - Oct 8-14 (SW) is the 4th largest fair in Ontario and has a midway, 5 nights of motorsports & lots of family fun.

Featured Events

Norfolk Eat & Drink Show

April 4-6, 2019
Simcoe Fairgrounds, Norfolk County (SW Ontario)

Who doesn’t like to eat & drink?! Here’s an opportunity to sample the fares of some of the Norfolk County’s restaurants, wineries, breweries & food producers – all under one roof for 3 days. You’ll also be entertained by live music shows, contests, prizes, food & fun. Must be 19+ years of age or older to attend.

Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny

April 13, 2019
Port Hope (Eastern Ontario)

Take part in or be a spectator to one of the most fun races of the season! A 10 km river race along the Ganaraska River commemorating the 1980 flood that crippled Port Hope. Every imaginable floating device is used, from kayaks and canoes, to "crazy crafts!" The "event village" at the end of the race offers entertainment & activities, as well as the chance to watch the participants float over the last rapids section of the course. Food & drink also offered.

Springridge Farm Easter Festival

April 19 – 21
Milton (GTA)

Experience the magic of Easter with activities for the whole family. See the Easter Bunny wiggling his nose and of course, hiding eggs at the farm for you to hunt. Watch a Bunny puppet show, paint bunny faces, colour bunny ears, see baby farm animals, go on a wagon ride farm tour and taste delicious freshly baked goods.

Featured festival: Boots and Hearts Festival-Aug 8-11

This festival has been called the “best festival in the entire planet, hands down” and since Thomas Rhett said it, it might just be true! Canada’s largest country music festival, held at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds north of Toronto, is showcasing headliners like Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Marin Morris and Cole Swindell who are sure to make this year’s event the place to be. Make sure you book early so you don’t miss it!

ONLY IN ONTARIO

Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival in Port Colborne
Did you know that Ontario’s largest outdoor classic car show & international kite show takes place in Port Colborne every year on the Civic holiday long weekend? That’s not all! Visit the Tall Ships in the Port and take a cruise in one! Enjoy the children’s area with games, entertainment and family activities. Learn about the history of the Welland Canal & watch heritage artisans working their trades. Catch the indoor craft show and enjoy delicious food options. Shop unique kiosks, watch live concerts and don’t miss the exciting fireworks display that lights up the night sky at the end of this 4-day fabulous event.

Print Edition

We've started working on the 2019 edition of Summer Fun Guide but if you are looking for a 2018 edition, email info@summerfunguide.ca to have one mailed to you. View a digital version of the print edition online here: https://www.summerfunguide.ca/print-edition.html.

NEXT ISSUE, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

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Place To Go On Holiday With The Family

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