BY MYNEWWATERFRONTHOME.COM
From festivals that feature every type of music imaginable — rock to rockabilly, and rap to reggae — to world-class art galleries, maritime museums and wine tours, Ontario's waterfront communities have something going on year-round.
If you wanted to, you could plan an entire 365-day road trip across Ontario and drop in on one waterfront community after another, to take in the many events and attractions.
For those who might decide they want to do just that in the days and weeks ahead, here are some of our favourites from among the dozens of events on offer across Ontario’s waterfront communities.
Happy trails!
Now until Feb. 5
It’s a weeklong party in Bruce County, when folks come out to Bluewater Park in
Wiarton to celebrate a groundhog and enjoy winter before spring arrives. The
Wiarton Willie Festival is now in its 56th year. There’s something for the whole family, from live music to road hockey to ice sculpture displays and more.
While you’re in the area: Take a 30-minute drive to
Owen Sound, where the Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery is dedicated to the work of the man who inspired the founders of Canada’s Group of Seven artists. While you’re in town, check out the artists’ co-op and the Billy Bishop Home and Museum, devoted to Canada’s First World War flying ace.
Now until Feb. 5
In
Goderich, Winterfest is a family affair, with everything from a chili cook-off to a snow-pitch tournament to a figure skating carnival to keep you everyone busy. There are also dances and special children’s activities.
While you’re in the area: Why leave town? The good folks of
Goderich need you and your tourist dollars as they recover from the tornado Aug. 21, 2011 tornado that ripped through “Canada’s Prettiest Town.”
Now until Feb. 5
Celebrate winter in
Midland during the 27th annual
Winterfest at Little Lake Park. There’s plenty of family fun, including a polar bear plunge, pond hockey tournament, snowriders’ puddle jump, lumberjack shows, dogsled rides, birds of prey demonstrations, free horse and wagon rides, cardboard toboggan races at Campbell’s Hill, with prizes for best toboggan, and more.
While you’re in the area: Visit
Midland’s Huronia Museum and Huron/Ouendat Village in scenic Little Lake Park. Huron-Ouendat Village takes visitors back more than 500 years ago, with portrayals of native life as it was before the arrival of Europeans. You can check out longhouses, sweat lodge and shaman’s hut. Huronia Museum, beside the village, contains a collection of nearly one million objects and receives about 20,000 visitors a year. The Gallery of Historic Huronia displays the works of various artists, including A.Y. Jackson. There’s also a gift shop on site.
Now until Feb. 5
The friendly community of
Port Carling welcomes you to
Winterfest, which includes everything from a fishing derby and fireworks to a dog show and bean bag curling to roast beef dinner and dances. And did we mention the pancake breakfast, polar dip and log-sawing contest? Or the silent auction, bake sale, pie auction?
While you’re in the area: Head about 28 kilometres southeast to
Gravenhurst, where you can learn about the history of Muskoka’s wooden boats and steamships at the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre. The heritage centre is also home to the largest in-water display of antique and classic boats, with a rotating collection of boats built in Muskoka.
Now until Feb. 20
Visit the National Capital Region for
Winterlude, featuring three fun-filled weekends of indoor and outdoor activities in
Ottawa and
Gatineau. Skate on the Rideau Canal — the world’s largest skating rink — check out the ice sculpture competitions and play at North America’s largest snow playground. Activities on the canal include a triathlon, a bed race and the Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Classic, so there will be plenty to cheer about. Bundle up for live entertainment, made even sweeter with a hot chocolate and those famous BeaverTails. There are also events indoors at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and jazz concerts at the National Arts Centre and other downtown venues.
While you’re in the area: Stay in
Ottawa and visit the Canadian War Museum, located on the waterfront. Along with fascinating permanent exhibits, special exhibitions worth seeing include New Brunswickers in Wartime, 1914-46, which explores the touching and dramatic stories of New Brunswickers during the First and Second World Wars at sea, on land, in the air and at home.
Feb. 4-5
Head to
Barrie for Winterfest and Festival of Ice at Heritage Park. Named one of the Top 100 festivals in Ontario, Winterfest is family-friendly and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor activities include a polar bear dip, horse-drawn wagon rides, dogsled rides, mini-tube run, lumberjack shows, giant snow slide and ice maze. The Festival of Ice features 300-pound blocks of ice carved into themed sculptures.
While you’re in the area: Fill up on blues in
Barrie and
Innisfil during the February
Blues XV festival, Feb. 2-5. Held in conjunction with Winterfest, the bluesfest features diverse acts performing at various nightclubs, restaurants, cafés, art galleries and bistros. The public libraries in Barrie, Innisfil and Bradford will also have the blues on Feb. 4.
Feb. 5 and Feb. 11
Cobourg’s
Winter Festival on Lake Ontario, which runs on two Saturdays, includes skating to music, ice carving demonstrations, fire jugglers and interactive ice displays in Rotary Harbourfront Park behind Victoria Hall. There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides throughout downtown, and Northumberland Mall will host kids’ indoor crafts and movies. All activities are free of charge.
While you’re in the area: Head to neighbouring
Port Hope for an afternoon of boutique shopping in the town’s heritage downtown, which boasts the best preserved main street in Ontario. Not surprisingly, Port Hope is home to many antique shops. Time your visit to take in a performance at the refurbished
Capitol Theatre, a splendid venue for live theatre, concerts and films.
Feb. 10-12
Orillia puts on a great
Winter Carnival, complete with ice castle, fireworks, a polar bear dip, helicopter rides, midway, public skating, snow sculptures, ice castle, horse and sleigh rides, mini snowmobile rides, petting zoo, ice fishing, skydiving, outdoor adult dance and lots of food, including samples from the chili cook-off contest.
While you’re in the area: Stay in
Orillia. Head to the shores of Lake Couchiching for a tour of the Leacock Museum for a glimpse into the life of humourist Stephen Leacock, who built his home on the lake in 1928. The Main Floor of Leacock House features a portfolio of original signed portraits by master photographer Yosuf Karsh, taken of Stephen Leacock at Old Brewery Bay in 1941. Don’t forget to stock up on your reading at the museum’s Literary Lapses Gift/Bookshop.
Feb. 10-12
Come celebrate winter at
Snowfest in
Parry Sound. There’s something for the whole family: enjoy a bonfire, skating, tobogganing, fishing derby, dogsledding, free skating, plank races and more. There’s even a Hawaiian luau beach party at the inner harbour off Champagne Street.
While you’re in the area: Visit the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts building on
Parry Sound’s beautiful waterfront. The interactive hockey museum serves up a wide variety of photos, memorabilia and artifacts relating to the hockey star, including his NHL rings. Tying both culture and sports together is a lobby gift shop featuring unique souvenirs from both venues.
Feb. 10-12
Tay Township is the place to be for family winter fun during the 11th annual Frosty Frolics Winter Carnival. There’s something for everyone, including breakfast and luncheons, old-fashioned cardboard toboggan races, snow-pitch tournament, snowshoe race and an arts and crafts show. While in Tay, don’t be surprised if you spot more than the usual number of snowmen on local lawns. The township, which includes the waterfront communities of
Victoria Harbour,
Port McNicoll and
Waubaushene, has invited residents to participate in a community snowman-building contest, with a prize awarded to the winner on Feb. 13.
While you’re in the area: Enjoy the outdoors and spectacular views while visiting the quaint communities of Tay Township — including
Victoria Harbour,
Port McNicoll and
Waubaushene on the waterfront — via the Tay Shore Trail. This 18.5-kilometre paved multi-use path through nature, which connects the communities, is off-limits to motorized vehicles year-round. So get out those cross-country skis and explore!
Feb. 11-12
Kearney, the gateway to Algonquin Park, brands itself as the “Biggest Little Town,” but you’d better get there early if you want a good spot to view all the action in the 18th annual Kearney
Dog Sled Races. The event is wildly popular here, and includes a schedule of family events — from woodcarving to fat tire mountain bike snow racing to a skate and bonfire.
While you’re in the area: Head to
Algonquin Park for rest and relaxation, spa treatments, gourmet dining and a nightcap by the fireplace. Check in at the Visitor Centre, home to natural and cultural history exhibits, gift shop and café — before getting out and enjoying the great outdoors — cross-country ski, snowshoe, go horseback riding or take a dogsled ride.
Feb. 11-12
If you love wine, plan to be in
Essex County for the Festival of Ice, sponsored by the Southwestern Ontario Vintners Association. Celebrating winter and the wines of Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island, the annual event includes ice wine and mulled wine tastings, plenty of food, including gourmet soups, braised pork, artisan cheeses and desserts paired with award-winning wines, ice sculptures, skating, live music and the chance to win a gift basket. Go online for details on participating wineries. You’ll find the participating wineries and their locations at
SWOVA.
While you’re in the area: You’ll love the Canadian
Transportation Museum on the Arner Townline, the border between
Kingsville and the Town of
Essex. There’s everything from vintage and hot rod cars and trucks to horse- drawn wagons and motorcycles and heritage ambulances. There’s also a vintage diner and gift shop on site.
Feb. 12, 19, 20, 26
The Model Railroad Club of
Toronto presents a month of Sunday public shows — plus Family Day Monday — promising entertainment for the whole family. Held from noon to 4:30 p.m. at 171 East Liberty St., the Romance and the Rails show takes you back to the 1950s with a Central Ontario Railway world in miniature. Trains travel over 5,000 feet of track, passing by hills, forests and lakes typical of Central Ontario, connecting two major cities each with full yard and engine facilities. Several smaller towns and villages are located along the way and a branchline serves a busy port where lake freighters regularly dock. Admission is $8 adults, $5 seniors and $4 children.
While you’re in the area: Why not take in one of the many plays on tap in
Toronto, or visit an art gallery. The revamped Art Gallery of Ontario — the new design by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry is worth the visit — boasts a permanent collection of more than 73,000 works of art and is among the most distinguished art museums in North America.
Feb. 17-19
Winterama in
Penetanguishene is Ontario’s longest-running community winter celebration, now in its 64th year. There’s a midway at the town dock, also the site of a skating oval, a Penetang Idol contest, ribfest, family skate, chili cook-off, polar bear plunge, silent auction, giant book sale, dog sled rides and more.
While you’re in the area: Head next door to
Midland, where Quest Art School + Gallery features an exhibition on contemporary still lifes.
Feb. 17-19
Cheer on teams from around the world during the 1000 Islands Pondapalooza weekend in
Gananoque. It’s all happening on the scenic St. Lawrence River at the Gananoque Marina. There’s plenty of action on the ice including the adult pond hockey championships, the pond curling championships and the kids’ ice fishing tournament. There’s also a Christmas tree burn and hot chocolate night, family activities, the Gananoque Brewing Company Ice Bar, a vendors village for the shopaholics, Taste of Gananoque and more.
While you’re in the area: Head up the 401 to
Kingston, known for its cuisine and eclectic shops. While you’re in the historic waterfront city, drop by one of 17 museums, including Fort Henry, a National Historic Site. Or take in a play at the historic Grand Theatre, which is also home to the Kingston Symphony Orchestra.
Feb. 17-20
This year marks the 26th anniversary of the
Winter Carnival in
Grand Bend, where the 2012 theme is Medieval. There’s something for all ages — from a snow-sculpting to a snow-pitch tournament to horse and carriage rides to a stew cook-off, medieval dinnver, kids’ talent show, tobogganing, fireworks and more.
While you’re in the area: Grand Bend is home to the Lambton Heritage Museum, a 50,000-square-foot complex that boasts more than 25,000 artifacts and 10,000 photographs depicting the history of Sarnia-Lambton. As a bonus, the museum is also home to Canada’s largest collection of pressed glass. If you love Currier and Ives, there are many prints to view. The site also features a pioneer home, slaughterhouse, blacksmith shop, two barns and the Rokeby School, first opened in 1899.
Feb. 17-20
Snowman Mania is celebrating its 7th birthday this year in
Wasaga Beach. What started off as a snowman-building competition has grown into a four-day winter festival for the whole family. There’s everything from tobogganing to a snowmobile poker run, to fireworks and bingo, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing to dancing and a chili cook-off.
While you’re in the area: Head over to
Collingwood, where conditions will be perfect for downhill skiing and boarding atop Blue Mountain, or cross-country skiing in the hills and valleys, with wonderful bay and mountain views. When you’re finished for the day, check out the shops at the Village at Blue Mountain, where you can relax over a drink in front of the fireplace.
Feb. 18
Frost Festival is a fun-filled family day celebrating the Haliburton Highlands. Headquartered in
Haliburton Village, the festival features a pancake breakfast, skating on Head Lake, tobogganing, horse-drawn wagon and dog sled rides, pony rides, snowshoe race, ice sculptures, taffy pull and more. End the day with roast beef dinner at the Haliburton United Church.
While you’re in the area: Combine outdoor fun with art while cross-country skiing through the
Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Located in Glebe Park near the village of Haliburton, the forest is a unique outdoor collection of sculptures by Canadian artists. Or if you prefer travelling via snowmobile, the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association has partnered with other area clubs to create more than 3,200 kilometres of groomed trails to explore.
Feb. 18
If you love fishing, head out onto the ice of Kempenfelt Bay in
Barrie for the annual
ice fishing tournament sponsored by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Simcoe Country. Held from noon to 3 p.m., there are more than $50,000 in prizes up for grabs. There’s no fishing licence required, because this is the event is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ annual Family Fishing Weekend. The registration fee is $85.
While you’re in the area: Check out the MacLaren Art Centre, a jewel in downtown
Barrie. The public gallery’s permanent collection celebrates Canadian painters and world sculptors and photographers. Current exhibitions include
Interiors of Place, featured until Feb. 20. Simcoe County painter Joanna McEwen presents 45 small panel paintings of the churches past and present that dotted the countryside of Oro-Medonte Township, created between 2003 and 2011 and documented in an accompanying book published by the MacLaren.
Feb. 24-26
Gravenhurst, in the heart of Muskoka, celebrates
winter over three days, with activities ranging from tobogganing to glow-in-the-dark skating, helicopter rides to snow sculptures, and arm-wrestling to a polar bear dip.
While you’re in the area: Stick around
Gravenhurst — there’s plenty to do in winter, including miles of snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, plus lots of ice fishing. You can also head out to the Muskoka Wildlife Centre to see everything from a moose to a grey fox.
Feb. 24-26
Huntsville is the host of the Ontario
ParaSport Games. Sports include wheelchair curling, basketball and rugby, sledge hockey, alpine and Nordic skiing and swimming. Events take place at various venues in Hunstville, with the Nordic short course running through the downtown.
While you’re in the area: Stick around
Huntsville and take a walking tour of the town’s historic five-block stretch of downtown. Explore the town centre’s colourful murals inspired by the works of Canada’s Group of Seven. Don’t forget to check out the unique boutiques, or go cross-country skiing, before enjoying one of Huntsville’s great dining establishments.
Feb. 24-26
Gather your friends and head out to
Sutton on Lake Simcoe to test your angling skills during the 18th annual Canadian
Ice Fishing Championship presented by Lures and Tours. First-place finisher is guaranteed $7,500, courtesy the Town of
Georgina. Register online.
While you’re in the area: Stick around
Georgina and take the family to the ROC, the town’s new outdoor recreational park. The park’s signature element is the tube and terrain park, featuring a six-lane tubing hill, ski hill and free tobogganing run. There’s an onsite chalet where you can warm up by the fire and enjoy a meal or snack. The park is located on Civic Centre Road in
Keswick.
MyNewWaterfrontHome.com — Updated February 2012