One-Tank Trip for
June 13/15
(c) By Jim Fox
Make this the year
to take in some of Ontario’s top festivals.
Across this vast
province are some 3,000 festivals and events each year and from that total the
Top 100 are determined.
The current list of
the best of the best include a “select group” of Festivals and Events of
Distinction that “represent some of the most well-known and respected
celebrations in the province.”
 |
| A top summer event is the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival where sculptor Sandi Stirling creates a work of sand art on the beach. (Photo by Stephen Della Casa) |
Submissions from
members of the industry group Festivals & Events Ontario were received for
consideration and judged by an independent panel.
“Festivals and
events of all kinds from every corner of Ontario were represented in the
submissions – from community festivals to internationally recognized events,”
the Woodstock-based organization said.
The top fests
include the Oshawa Peony Festival; Rockhound Gemboree in Bancroft; TD Sunfest:
Canada’s Premier Celebration of World Cultures, and Home County Music and Art
Festival, both in London; and the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival.
Others include the
Cobourg Sandcastle Festival; Kingston Sheep Dog Trials; Balloonapalooza in
Windsor; Supercrawl in Hamilton; Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival;
Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg and the Port Elgin
Pumpkinfest.
Cream of the crop
A “select group” of
23 best-known events attracting both an international and domestic audience are
in the Level of Distinction Awards.
 |
| Among the Ontario “festivals of distinction” is the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. (Jim Fox photo) |
The Stratford
Festival, now through Oct. 18, heads the list compiled by date, followed by the
Sound of Music in Burlington, from June 13 to 21; the TD Toronto Jazz Festival,
June 18 to 27; and the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, June 19 to July 1.
Next up are
Toronto’s Redpath Waterfront Festival from June 19 to 21; Luminato Festival,
June 19 to 28; and the Pride Festival, June 21 to 28.
Canada Day celebrations
in Ottawa/Gatineau on July 1; the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto, July 7
to Aug. 3; RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, July 9; and the Ottawa International Chamber
Music Festival, July 23 to Aug. 6, also make the esteemed list.
Guelph’s renowned Hillside
Festival, July 24 to 26; Rogers Cup, Toronto, Aug. 8 to 16; the Havelock
Country Jamboree , Aug. 13 to 16; make way for the Canadian National Exhibition
in Toronto from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.
September festival
notables begin with the Toronto International Film Festival, Sept. 10 to 20;
London’s Western Fair, Sept. 11 to 20; and the Niagara Wine Festival in St.
Catharines, from Sept. 12 to 27.
 |
| A top Ontario festival is Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest with the ceremonial tapping of the first keg of beer. |
Stormont, Dundas
and Glengarry host this year’s International Plowing Match & Rural Expo in Ivy
from Sept. 22 to 26; and then it’s time for “ein prosit (a toast to good times)”
at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Oct. 9 to 17; and the Winter Festival of
Lights in Niagara Falls, Nov. 14 to Jan. 11.
Upcoming fests of
distinction next winter are Winterlude in Ottawa/Gatineau from Jan. 29 to Feb.
15; and Canada Blooms: The Flower and Garden Festival in Toronto, March 11 to
20.
Move to the beat
Song and dance help
to make for a great event and the Collingwood Elvis Festival from July 23 to 26
is again among the latest Top 100 events in the province.
There’s also the
Tweed Tribute to Elvis Festival, Aug. 21 to 23, thank you very much.
The hot Salsa at
Blue Mountain Festival, June 19 to 21, is a “showcase of Latin life with
pulsating music and passionate dancing.”
Other top fests for
tunes are the Peterborough Musicfest, June 27 to Aug. 22; Lighthouse Blues
Festival, Kincardine, July 10 to 12; and the TD Kitchener Blues Festival, Aug.
6 to 9.
Need to know more
Festivals & Events Ontario has a website
with details about all the festivals and publishes an annual guide (also
available for downloading): festivalsandeventsontario.ca;
(519) 537-2226.
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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