Pirates invaded Milton; sand creations, fiddling around and artists in the park

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 3/13

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Ah, summertime and the livin's easy.

   There’s an abundance of things to do including watching the pirates invading Milton, marvelling at elaborate sandcastles, doing some fiddling around and visiting artists in the park.

   Shiver me timbers

Pirates invaded Dry Bluffs (Milton) for a long weekend of partying.

   Arrrhh matey, pirates sailed back to Dry Bluffs (Milton) to party over the Civic Holiday weekend, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Monday.

   They’ve taken up residence at Country Heritage Park (8560 Tremaine Rd.) and renamed it the Village of Dry Bluffs.
   Organizers say the area is “populated with a cast of colourful characters – a mixture of pirates and villagers that is sure to entertain.”

   There’s something for everyone, “from powder monkeys in training to old salty dogs, from gentlefolk to the scurviest bilge-rats.”

   It gets down and dirty at the featured “Mud Show,” described as live theatre performed in a pit of mud.

   There’s a gypsy encampment, called “a multicultural nomadic group of animated singers, dancers, musicians and story-tellers.”

The pirates have landed

   Children can enjoy a pirate ship, stories, crafts and a variety of shows while entertainers include Zoltan the Adequate and Juggling Brothers with music by Pirates McKenna, Scirish and Eclectic Revival.

   Pirate captains Kier a Din and William Dampier host an adult-only keg party tonight (Aug. 3) from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

   Throughout the weekend, there’s food, featuring turkey legs, drinks that include grog and a marketplace.

   Admission is $14; $9.50 for seniors, 55 plus, and children, six to 12 (free to age five). http://thepiratefestival.com;1-866-518-6106

   Sand sculpting
   Elaborate castles and life-sized dinosaurs will majestically rose on the Lake Ontario beach for this long weekend’s Cobourg Sandcastle Festival and will next month in Burlington.

Among the sand creations in Cobourg is a huge dinosaur. (Photo by Stephen Della Casa)

   Nine master sculptors from across Ontario wowedthe crowd estimated at 7,000 people in Cobourg east of Toronto, said publicist Erin Wakely.

   There are also amateur teams competing and sand-sculpting lessons, the Lego Summer Playcation mobile tour trailer, music, scavenger hunt and Family Fun Zone with giant inflatables and giant slides. cobourgtourism.ca/sandcastle; 1-888-COBOURG

    Master sand sculptors will have a circus theme at this year’s Burlington’s Annual Children’s Festival on Aug. 17 and 18.

   The annual sandcastle competition takes place on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Beachway Park (1100 Lakeshore Rd.) along with live music, games, food and a marketplace.

Master sculptor Sandi “Castle” Stirling of Hamilton creates this work of sand art on Cobourg Beach. (Photo by Stephen Della Casa)

   There is also a sand-creation competition with four amateur categories.

   Activities continue Aug. 18 at Spencer Smith Park (1400 Lakeshore Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with circus performers and animals. http://cms.burlington.ca/Page512.aspx; 1-877-213-3609

   Fiddling around

   Rhythms, waltzes, jigs and reels highlight five days of activities at the 63rd annual Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship in Shelburne, northwest of Orangeville.

   The event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Shelburne from Aug. 7 to 11, features top fiddlers in competition, said publicist Caroline Mach.

The step-dancing Jenish sisters and fiddling Provencher brothers took part in an earlier Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship in Shelburne.

   The toe-tapping activities include a Cape Ceol fiddle and step-dance show, fiddle jam sessions, concert by Everything Fitz with Nate Douglas and Emily Flack, a Battle of the Bands, That 60’s Show and Glory Days, a Bruce Springsteen tribute.

   There will be a fiddle parade, open-air market, meals and entertainment at the Legion Hall, beer garden, pork barbecue and camping.

Fiddlers of all ages take part in the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship.

   The contest finals on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex (Shelburne Arena) feature the Black Family and a judges’ showcase with renowned fiddlers Ian Hamilton, Brian Hebert and Doug McNaughton. ShelburneFiddleContest.com; 519-925-8620

   Artists draw visitors to park

   More than 50 artists will gather for Art in the Park on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Strathroy, west of London.

   The seventh annual event organized by the Art Group of Strathroy is at Alexandra Park (152 Caradoc St. N.).

   “There will a large display of art work in various styles and media including oil, acrylics and water colours,” said artist Victor Alderson, one of the organizers.

   As well, there will be three-dimensional works and crafts by artisans, including woodworks, glass work and jewelry.

   There will also be entertainment, children’s events including creating works of art, food and refreshments. theartgroupstrathroy.com; 519-652-5503

-30-

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca