Amazing corn mazes, Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show highlight fall events

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 29/12

There’s a huge dragon-themed corn maze at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market.

    (c) By Jim Fox

   “Hello, 911? We’re stuck in a corn maze . . . it’s really dark and we’ve got a three-week-old.”

   That was an actual call to police in Massachusetts from a young couple with two children who were rescued after failing to navigate their way through the maze as night fell.

   Amazing mazes

   What is called the “world's largest” is a series of four mazes at the Richardson farm in Spring Grove, Ill. covering 13 hectares (33 acres) of corn stalks.

   Guinness World Records confirmed the Kraay farm near Lacombe, Alberta has a maze with the largest QR matrix barcode covering two hectares. It was scanned by a smartphone from a helicopter flying over the maze.

   Other creative maze designs include a Harry Potter theme in York, England.

Thanksgiving holiday roundup at Skyline Hotels and Resorts

A favourite time of year for us at Skyline, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Check out what we have lined up for this great holiday:

Deerhurst Resort:

Thanksgiving at Deerhurst pays homage to the tradition of a special family meal. Chef Rory Golden draws upon local and seasonal ingredients such as Bala cranberries and Muskoka-raised turkey to recreate fall favourites. Take the drive up north to revel in the fall colours and enjoy the Harvest Flavours Thanksgiving dinner buffet on Sunday, October 7. $52.95 per person, children 5-12 half price, kids 4 and under eat free. Or, if you’d prefer to cook up your own feast, book one of the new Summit Lodge suites, complete with stovetop, microwave, mini-fridge, dishwasher and all the dishes and cutlery you’ll need. Visit www.deerhurstresort.com/thanksgiving for details.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in apple country at Blue Mountain

Enjoy the Apple Harvest Festival powered by Volkswagen

 

Sept. 25, 2012.  Fabulous fall colours, crisp autumn air and even crisper apples. These are just some of the ingredients of the ultimate Thanksgiving experience.

You’ll find all this and more at the Apple Harvest Festival powered by Volkswagen, October 6^th to 8^th  in the towns of Thornbury, Clarksburg and Blue Mountain Village – just 90 minutes north from Toronto.

Awarded the Top 100 Festivals designation by Festivals and Events Ontario in 2011, Apple Harvest has worked hard to live up to the accolades in 2012.

Find inspiration in the model cottage at the Fall Cottage Life Show

Mississauga

 

Toronto, Ontario:  September 26, 2012:  For the first time in the twenty-year history of the Cottage Life Shows, a fully-finished and decorated model cottage will be presented at the Fall Cottage Life Show, October 26-28, 2012 at the International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario.

Custom designed and built by Canada Builds, a CSA and Tarion approved builder located in Lindsay, Ontario, the cottage is 1,000 sq. ft. and features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The open kitchen and living room are perfect for entertaining family and friends, and there are cottage inspired touches throughout, right down to the tiled dog-wash station inside the back door.

Sharks at Stingray Bay in the final year at the Toronto Zoo

What's new at the Zoo... Weekly feature Ends October 8th! Only the Toronto Zoo offers up interaction and fun with the exclusive live exhibit, Sharks at Stingray Bay-A Touching Experience. Situated in our Group Events Tent within Discovery Zone. Sharks at Stingray Bay features Nurse Sharks and Bamboo Sharks as well as Cownose and Southern Stingrays. Visitors will have the opportunity to humanely and safely interact with these incredible creatures and learn all about them with special keeper talks. Don't miss out on this amazing interactive opportunity only here until October 8th. Visit Sharks at Stingray Bay this weekend!

Canada and Ontario are awash in cultural events

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 22/12

   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s time for a little culture.

   A cultural movement will blanket Canada with thousands of activities from Sept. 28 to 30 including more than 1,600 free events in about 200 cities and towns across Ontario.

   “Among the cool Culture Days’ activities happening is one called PARKing in Port Credit (Mississauga) where artists are turning parking spaces into works of art,” said Susan Smythe-Bishop, promotions’ vice-president.

Culture Days’ activities include an opportunity to visit the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Costume Warehouse. (Photo by Richard Bain)

    As well, there will be a chance to tour the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Costume Warehouse; help “yarn bomb” St. George’s Square in Guelph; practice Chinese painting in London; learn samba-style drumming in Toronto; and go sleuthing in Waterloo Region.

North American tour of Sister Act launches in Toronto

PERFORMANCES BEGIN OCTOBER 2, 2012

The Original Broadway Production Cast - Photo by Joan Marcus

Producers Whoopi Goldberg, Stage Entertainment and Troika Entertainment are proud to present the North American Tour of five-time Tony Award® nominated musical SISTER ACT.  Called “In a word, DIVINE!” by the Associated Press, SISTER ACT kicks off on October 2, 2012 at Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre.

The North American Tour of SISTER ACT will star Ta'Rea Campbell (Book of Mormon, Lion King) as Deloris Van Cartier, Hollis Resnik (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Les Miserables) as Mother Superior, Kingsley Leggs (Sister Act, The Color Purple) as Curtis Jackson, E. Clayton Cornelious (Wonderland, The Scottsboro Boys) as Eddie Souther, Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act) as Mary Robert, Florrie Bagel as Mary Patrick, Diane J. Findlay (42^nd Street, Promises, Promises) as Mary Lazarus, Todd A. Horman (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Joey, Ernie Pruneda (Sister Act) as Pablo, Charles Barksdale (Fat Camp) as TJ, and Richard Pruitt (42nd Street, White Christmas) as Monsignor O'Hara.

Celebrity impressionist Terry Fator and the Canadian Tenors to appear at Caesars Windsor

Windsor, ON – Caesars Windsor welcomes Terry Fator to the Colosseum Stage on Saturday, December 15 at 9 pm.

Best known for his victory on America’s Got Talent in 2007, Fator captures the hearts and funny bones of his audiences with his celebrity impressions and unparalleled ventriloquism.

With his hilarious cast of characters, Fator performs amazing vocal impressions of musical superstars such as Garth Brooks, Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake – all without moving his lips.  Called “one of the best performers in the world” by Simon Cowell, Fator delivers a magical evening of entertainment that you have to see to believe. Tickets start at $35 Canadian.

Also this December, Caesars Windsor is proud to present the return of The Canadian Tenors (now known as The Tenors), live on the Colosseum Stage on Saturday, December 22 at 9 pm.

Snyder’s Family Farm Fall Festival full of fun

 Woodstock, ON – The Snyder’s Family Farm is a fun place to be this fall after its festival opening weekend September 22/23.

This year the Family Fall Festival offers 16 attractions and the Synder’s Family believes you will create memories to last a lifetime. 

New this year: Animal Barn, Haunted Barn, Train Rides, 15 Acre Pumpkin Patch and Zoe the Clown’s Show, plus more. As well, don’t miss the Fear Farm and also as December approaches, you can pick out a tree in their Christmas Candy Barn.

Haunted village hayrides at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London

Celebrate Halloween at Fanshawe Pioneer Village

LONDON, ON -- This Halloween, don’t be left in the dark.  Come  
out to Fanshawe Pioneer Village for our annual Haunted Village Hayrides. 

Hayride dates:
Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th
Friday, October 19th – Sunday, October 21st
Thursday, October 25th - Sunday, October 28th

Don't miss the Ship of Death:  The Wreck of the Victoria

Written by Maridon Duncanson and directed by Sherri Munroe.

On May 24, 1881, close to 200 London citizens were tragically drowned  
when the Victoria, returning from a glorious outing in Springbank  
Park, capsized in the Thames River.  Ship of Death:  The Wreck of the  
Victoria follows the lives of the passengers that day and the  
devastating events that unfolded. Audiences will be horrified by the  
tragedy, astounded by the Heroism and enthralled with the gripping  
depiction.

It's all happening at the Toronto Zoo including Hudson, the polar bear cub

What's new at the Zoo... Weekly feature Hudson is all grown up and is taking the plunge into the 'Big Boy' pool! Now that he is all grown up, Hudson is finally making a splash in the 'big boy' pool! Without hesitation, Hudson dove right into the large pool where the adult polar bears usually reside!   Check out Hudson taking the plunge, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am daily, in the Tundra Trek! Don't forget to visit the underwater viewing area for an up close view of Hudson! SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Saturday, October 13th from 12:00pm noon to 1:00 pm as we celebrate  Hudson the polar bear cub's 1st birthday! Party festivities will include a special keeper talk, birthday treats, a cub-sized icicle birthday cake for Hudson and the chance to sign a polar bear-sized birthday  card. It will be the 'coolest' party in town!

A really BIG exhibit is coming to the Royal Ontario Museum

BIG new exhibit opens in Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume 

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) unveils BIG, the newest installation in the Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume on Level 4 in the Museum’s Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.

A stunning display, BIG is exclusively drawn from the ROM’s collection of nearly 50,000 textiles and costumes. Showcasing 40 artifacts from around the world, this unique exhibition includes objects assuming their BIG status in a myriad of ways. With some objects publicly displayed for the first time, the installation offers a fresh, new way of exploring the ROM’s renowned collections. BIG continues until Fall 2013.

Sip, savour and shop at “Eat & Drink at Flavourfest” at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show

September 23, 2012 Simcoe - The Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show is pleased to announce its newest event at this year’s Fair “Eat & Drink at Flavourfest”.

This new show will run every day of the Fair, Tuesday, October 2 through to Monday, October 8, opening daily at 3pm in the Recreation Centre Arena on the Fairgrounds.

For the last three years, the highly successful food and drink show “Eat & Drink Norfolk” has been held at the Aud each April. “After many requests to have this show on more than once a year, we decided to launch a smaller version during the Fair as part of Flavourfest” says General Manager Karen Matthews.

Flavourfest is a specialized market located in the Rec Centre Arena for the entire duration of the Fair featuring Norfolk products supplied by local farmers, producers and vendors.

The King Edward Hotel tempts chocoholics with new afternoon tea service

Limited time chocolate tea launches for Toronto Chocolate Festival

TORONTO, September 24, 2012 – Toronto’s first luxury hotel, The King Edward will be tempting every sweet-tooth across the city with their new limited edition afternoon tea service.

The King’s Chocolate Inspired Afternoon Tea will launch at Victoria’s Restaurant on October 12 as part of the city-wide Toronto Chocolate Festival, which runs through November 4.

An enticing addition to The King Edward Hotel’s current afternoon tea offerings, The King’s Chocolate Tea includes a choice between two specially-blended chocolate teas – Chocolate Macaroon, a delicate Ceylon tea scented with sweet chocolate and coconut and topped with cacao nibs; and Chocolat, an exotic medium-bodied black Ceylon tea with high-grade chocolate oil.

Join King Curtis in celebration at the Niagara Wine Festival

Northern Nightmare driver Cam McQueen fuels the drive, greets fans in Toronto and Hamilton

THIS THANKSGIVING, THE MAPLE LEAF MONSTER JAM TOUR HOSTS LARGEST MONSTER JAM FOOD DRIVE TO CRUSH HUNGER

TORONTO, ON – September 20/12 – Canadians are invited to crush hunger!  This October, to help kick off the Maple Leaf Monster Jam^® 2013 Tour, Canada will host the largest food drive in Monster Jam history!  As a part of its continued commitment to Monster Jam fans, starting Wednesday, October 3, 2012, The Maple Leaf Monster Jam Tour presents CRUSH HUNGER – A MONSTER JAM CANADA FOOD DRIVE running in four Canadian cities:                                                                                                                                                                                   

October 3 – Hamilton, London & Winnipeg

                                                                                                                                                                                                 October 5 –Toronto

Headwaters Arts Festival opens Sept. 30

For Immediate Release

Alton, Ontario (September 12, 2012) – The Headwaters Arts Festival is back with 19 days of exciting events including a juried art show and sale that features more than 45 local artists, open studios, literature readings, studio tours, concerts and workshops for both kids and adults between September 20 and October 8.

The annual juried Festival Art Show and Sale is once again the centrepiece of the Festival and this year features more than 45 local artists and 250-plus pieces of art. The theme this year is Art for Art’s Sake. This show, which is open and free to the public Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 21-23 and 28-30, is once again being held at the SGI Canada Caledon Centre for Culture and Education in Alton.

Savour your Taste the Season Touring Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Take Advantage of Four More Touring Days and Use Your Passes Any Event Weekend

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON (September 12, 2012) Touring passes for the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake Taste the Season Touring Pass Event (Taste the Season) are now available for purchase. 

The “must-do” event of the season features a seasonally-inspired VQA wine and food pairing at each of the 28 member wineries.

The event takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November 2012 (November 2/3/4, 9/10/11, 16/17/18, 23/24/25), from 11 am to 5 pm.  In 2012, touring passes may also be used any event weekend.  In the past, touring passes were valid for one pre-determined weekend selected by the visitor.

27th annual Wood Show set for Woodstock

Tourism Oxford

MEDIA RELEASE

Woodstock, ON – Exhibit of wooden crafts, handcrafted furniture, woodworking machinery, tools, demonstrations, seminars & more. Home of Upper Canada Woodworking Championship! The Wood Show runs from September 28th thru 30th, 10am – 6pm each day.

“This year the Woodstock Agricultural Society is pleased to continue the tradition started by Joe and Sharon Daniel. We'll have great outdoor displays as always, plus indoors, in the Oxford Auditorium, we are excited to welcome our new major exhibitor Home Depot!" said Craig Fox, one of the show's organizers.

Chef Michael Smith returns to Muskoka to “Cook the Book” at Deerhurst Resort

Interactive weekend at the Ontario resort will showcase simple and speedy recipes

HUNTSVILLE, ON, September 17, 2012 – Ontario’s Deerhurst Resort will have mouths watering again this fall with the return of Michael Smith, Canada’s best-known chef, for the second annual Chef Michael Smith Culinary Weekend, October 26-28.

The two-night inclusive gourmet getaway will be a showcase of Chef Michael’s newest cookbook Fast Flavours: 110 Simple Speedy Recipes and gives guests a chance to meet and interact with the celebrated chef, author and television personality.

ZZ Top and Lisa Marie Presley returning to Casino Rama in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New shows added to November 2012 concert line-up

 RAMA, ON (Tuesday, September 18, 2012) – Casino Rama is thrilled to announce these two new additions to our previously released November 2012 concert line-up:

ZZ Top

Saturday, November 10

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Tickets are $55/$65

Their first studio album in 9 years, La Futura, which features the new track “I Gotsta Get Paid”, was just released. Bringing them back to the hallmark raw sounds, infused with the electric blues/roots approach they are best known for. Their greatest hits include: “Gimme All Your Lovin’ ”, “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Legs”, “Push” & “La Grange”.

Lisa Marie Presley

Thursday, November 15

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $20/$30

Her third studio album “Storm & Grace” is a collection of bluesy rock n’ roll songs with shades of country & western, providing a unique showcase for her distinctive voice.  Her hit tracks include: “Over Me”, “Soften the Blow”, “I’ll Figure It Out”, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”, “Lights Out” & “Idiot”.

Overhead walkway and island platform now open at Oshawa train station

Oshawa, ON, September 14, 2012 -Today, as part of the ongoing modernization of Canada's national passenger rail service, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and MP for Whitby Oshawa, Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and MP for Oshawa, and VIA Rail Canada officially opened a new overhead walkway and island platform at the Oshawa train station. 

"Our Government is proud of investments like VIA's new island platform at Oshawa Station and through  the busy Québec City to Windsor corridor that create jobs and improve passenger rail," said Minister Flaherty.

"These upgrades to the busy Oshawa VIA Rail station will translate to more efficient, reliable service for passengers." 

Celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons

Media Release – for immediate Release

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons Historical Interpreters Gennesse Walker-Scace (left) and Bailee Malivoire (right) get in a little practice with traditional "Bonhomme" french dancing puppets, in preparation for Sainte-Marie's Franco-Ontarian Day highlight on Tuesday, September 25.  The event, which celebrates Francophone culture in Ontario, features live music, special Francophone presentations, storytelling, and more, and is included with regular site admission.

 On Tuesday, September 25, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day with special presentations, musical performances, and on-site activities.

Third annual Culture Days runs Sept. 28 to 30 in Stratford

Stratford Loves Culture!

STRATFORD, ON, (September 17, 2012) – Nearly 7,000 free activities will take place in some 800 communities across Canada for the third annual Culture Days on September 28 to 30, 2012, including more than 70 activities that are planned to take place here in Stratford and Perth County.

“The growth of Culture Days since its inception just three years ago has been monumental,” said Antoni Cimolino, General Director and Artistic Director designate of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and Chair of the Culture Days National Steering Executive Committee.

“The cultural community and the general public are clearly united in their passion for this creative movement.  Participating communities, artists, cultural groups and organizations have multiplied, and Canadians have responded by coming out in droves for the opportunity to familiarize and engage themselves with many of these exciting and inspiring local activities.

Country 'boys and girls' havin' fun on the farm at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 15/12

   (c) By Jim Fox

 

    Here’s an opportunity for city slickers to meet up with their country cousins to see what happens down on the farm.

   It all comes together at the venerable International Plowing Match and Rural Expo marking its 99th year in Roseville, just south of Kitchener, next Tuesday to Saturday (Sept. 18-22).

Visitors to the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo can watch a barn-raising taking place daily.

   As the largest event of its kind in North America, “we are expecting between 100,000 and 150,000 people depending on weather conditions,” said match chairman David Pyper.

   Visitors will be amazed to see how a huge field of 323 hectares (800 acres) of rural farm land has been transformed into a massive tented city with roads, electricity and running water.

   The business of the match includes the plowing championships along the “Queen of the Furrow” contest but events have diversified over the years into a five-day “giant family festival.”

Megabucks' $1.7-million winner at Casino Rama

Ontario's newest millionaires - Roger Berube and wife Brigitte of Barrie, celebrate their $1.78M Megabucks jackpot win, the 8th in Casino Rama history, with VIP Rep Amanda.

For Immediate Release

Million Dollar Jackpot Win an Answer to Family’s Prayers

Barrie man wins $1.78M, now able to care for elderly mother

RAMA, ON (Sunday, September 16th, 2012) – A family’s prayers were answered this 
morning when a Barrie man won over $1.7M! Roger Berube (54) won the close to two 
million dollar jackpot playing one of the 14 Megabucks Progressive slot machines 
today at Casino Rama.

Doors Open Ontario events continuing into fall

More than half of this year’s Doors Open Ontario events are taking place this fall – many commemorating the theme of this year’s program, “Defending a nation”.

Ontario’s architectural showpieces, community landmarks and natural wonders are waiting to be explored – all free of charge.

Four of this year’s five new events are scheduled for September: Quinte West, Algonquin Highlands, Halton Hills and Lambton County.

Harvest activities, events in Waterloo Region

NEWS RELEASE

WATERLOO REGION – As one of the most popular agricultural areas in Ontario, the Waterloo Region is perhaps best known for its upcoming fall events and harvest festivals.

“The fall season is one of the most exciting times in the Waterloo Region,” said Tracey Desjardins, General Manager, Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation.

“The region was built on its agricultural heritage and harvest time really lets us celebrate what made the area what it is today. There are so many ways to enjoy the Waterloo Region in the fall; it really is something that everyone should experience.”

Door Open Oxford events highlight rural roots

WOODSTOCK, Ont. -- This year's Doors Open Oxford theme is celebrating our rural roots, with a variety of sites connected to agriculture or what we ate, way back when.

We're holding an orientation session at the County admin building in Council Chambers, beginning with each of the sites briefly explaining what the public will see on September 22nd.

Here's a brief rundown on what's happing on the 22nd:

What's new at the Toronto Zoo

Weekly feature Walk n' Talk Tuesday's for Seniors!  EVERY Tuesday beginning September 18th - December 18th, 2012, seniors receive FREE parking,  plus a voucher for ONE FREE coffee, tea or hot chocolate redeemable at any Zoo food outlet! Don't forget to meet at 11:00 am at the Caribou Cafe for a guided walking tour of the Tundra Trek. World Rhino Weekend Saturday, September 15th and Sunday, September 16th 9:30 am to 4:00 pmIndian Rhino & White Rhino Exhibits  Join us for special keeper talks at 12:00 pm and 2 pm at the Indian Rhino Exhibit and at 1 pm and 4 pm at the White Rhino exhibit.

VIA Rail opens new Belleville, Ont. train station

Belleville, ON, September 12, 2012 - Earlier today, as part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada, Mr. Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings on behalf of the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), officially opened the new Belleville train station, overhead walkway and island platform.

"Our government is proud to support projects like the new VIA Rail Belleville Station that create local jobs and boost the economy", said MP Kramp on behalf of the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport).

"This new and modern station is just one of many upgrades to VIA's stations, tracks, passenger cars, and locomotives infrastructure in the busy Windsor-Toronto-Montreal corridor, resulting in faster, and more reliable service for all VIA rail passengers."

Two free day-long festivals celebrate the tastes, sounds and cultures of Asia

MEDIA ADVISORY

Pan-Asian Flavours Abound

Sept. 15-16

WHO & WHERE:       Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

WHAT:                    In advance of Mid-Autumn Festival, a holiday celebrated across Asia to mark the harvest, two day-long festivals delight the senses with a range of culinary, musical, theatrical, artistic and other offerings.

Vietnamese Lantern Festival

Presented by CIBC

Co-produced by Vietnamese Women’s Association of Toronto

                   Saturday, Sept. 15

Noon-8 p.m.

Fortune Cooking Festival

Presented by CIBC

Sunday, Sept. 16

Noon-6 p.m.

WHAT, EXACTLY:

·         Saturday’s Vietnamese Lantern Festival features a mooncake tasting booth, a Thien Le Ao Dai Competition that showcases the traditional clothing, musical performances, crafts, food and more;

·         On Saturday night (at 8:30 p.m.), catch a screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi to whet your appetite for Sunday’s food-centric event;

·         Sunday’s Fortune Cooking Festival features the culinary showdown Iron Chef: Street Food Edition pitting Hawker Bar’s Alec Martin vs Chippy’s John Lee, street food demos from some of Toronto’s hottest chefs, performances from drum-and-dance ensemble Raging Asian Women and others;

·         ...and much more!

HOW (MUCH):          It’s all FREE!

WHY:            To savour a wide range of Pan-Asian culture and flavours and experience all that the season has to offer.

 For more information the public may call 416-973-4000 or visit
harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/vietnameselantern

and

harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/fortunecooking