One-tank trip getaways across southern Ontario at parks, the Royal Alex, fiddling, Leaping Deer, winery and arts show

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 8/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Letters, we get lots and lots of letters (e-mails) with tips for great one-tank trips.

   Here are a few suggestions of things to see and do.

    Smell the roses

   There’s a nature challenge underway this month at Ontario Parks.

Reconnecting with nature in Algonquin Provincial Park in a Voyageur canoe. (Jim Fox photo)

   Visitors are urged to “reconnect with nature,” as research has shown that just 30 minutes a day in a natural setting can make people happier, reduce blood pressure, anxiety and stress levels, and boost immunity.

   The Healthy Parks Healthy People Nature Challenge has been adapted from the David Suzuki Foundation’s 30x30 Challenge.

   As well, more than 40 provincial parks have Natural Heritage Education programs that can be found at www.OntarioParks.com along with event listings.

   Get the kinks out

   It’s Singles Night for the performance of Kinky Boots at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto on Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.

   This follows the “resounding success of our social experiment at Once Date Night,” says Mirvish publicist Sue Toth.

Lola and the Angels in the production of Kinky Boots at the Royal Alex. (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

   That was when more than 1,000 singles were matched for “a night of unforgettable theatre (and new romances),” she added.

   The “joyous musical celebration” with songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper is about “friendships we discover and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.”

   Tickets start at $29 and include two drink vouchers that can be redeemed before the show or after at a meet-and-greet with the cast.

The Canadian cast of Kinky Boots. (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

   The show runs through Nov. 8. mirvish.com; 1-800-461-3333

    Fiddling around

   The 65th Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship continues through Sunday (Aug. 9) at noon in Shelburne.

   The event features Canada’s top fiddlers in competition and events such as a giant fiddle parade and open-air market.

Kelli Trottier is one of the featured performers at the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship.

   The championship is today at 6 p.m. for the Canadian Open and Juniors and a performance by Kelli Trottier as well as at 3:15 p.m.

    Sunday events include fiddlers and the Jamboree Band at 10 a.m. in the arena and a pork barbecue at the fairgrounds at 11 a.m. ShelburneFiddleContest.com

   Runs like a Deere

   The 25th anniversary John Deere Show is on this weekend at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm & Market in Ingersoll.

   The 1st Ontario Two-Cylinder Club, promoting the preservation and use of vintage John Deere farm equipment, is hosting the show.

The big wheels at the John Deere Show coming to Ingersoll.

   Publicist Lisa Jensen said there will be tractor games, demonstrations of plowing, threshing, corn shelling and combining, parades, children’s activities and crafters.

   There’s a Johnny Cash Tribute show today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and a roast pork dinner and auction to follow. 1stontariotwocylinder.com

   The adventure farm and corn maze will open on Aug. 14 and continues on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1.

   The maze has a design resembling the logo of the fun farm that’s at 544212 Clarke Rd., Ingersoll. leapingdeer.com; 519-485-4795

   Gals down on the farm

   Let Sue-Ann Staff, the “Fancy Farm Girl,” spice up your gal pal getaways.

   “Planning a fabulous day out with friends doesn't need to be stressful or extravagant,” says Staff, proprietor and winemaker at her estate winery.

   A day out can include learning the finer points of pairing wines with food, tours of the vineyards, grounds and the Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery on the brow of the Niagara Escarpment in Jordan.

   The 200-year-old family farm has hosted world leaders including Pierre Trudeau and Mikhail Gorbachev.

   There’s also “Winemaker’s 101,” a 90-minute winetasting that gives an insight into types of wines and enjoying them.

   A customized four-course dinner can also be arranged around a century-old table in one of Niagara’s most authentic farmhouses. sue-annstaff.com; 1-877-566-1719

   Calling all artists, writers

   The first Hall’s Creek Festival of Creativity is being planned to become “Oxford County’s premier annual arts showcase, inclusive of all arts and creative endeavours.”

   The fest, organized by Oxford Creative Connections, is being held in Ingersoll’s Centennial Park on Sept. 12 and 13.

   It will feature live music on two stages, arts demonstrations and workshops, works of artists and authors, cooking demos and tastings, and children's activities.

   It will be a juried event and the organizers are encouraging artists to be a part of “encouraging self-discovery through the arts.” oxfordcreativeconnections.com; (519) 777-1374

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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