Saturday, September 29, 2018

When autumn leaves start to fall (Les Feuilles Mortes)


   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 29/18
 
   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s time to plan a road trip to take in the kaleidoscope of fall colours and events that are unsurpassed in Ontario.
   This could include visiting one of the oldest fall fairs and experiencing the changing season with a hike through the woods or a last-of-the-season boat ride at a provincial park.
Taking an end-of-the-season boat ride as the leaves start to change at an Ontario Provincial Park. (Jim Fox photo)
   In most places, the colour change is just beginning while “central and northern regions are seeing nice pockets of colour,” said Kevin Forget of Destination Ontario, an agency of the provincial government.
   This spectacle that’s not seen in many parts of the world makes the province the “premier destination to witness the annual autumn spectacle of summer leaves changing to rich and vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow,” he added.

   The big show is just getting underway at Ontario’s provincial parks but “rest assured by mid-October, it will be a riot of colours, Ontario Parks advises.
   It’s hard to beat Algonquin Provincial Park near Huntsville for the best show but be prepared for traffic jams on weekends.
   Drive the Highway 60 corridor, with the best lookouts being Hardwood, Track and Tower, Centennial Ridges and Lookout and Booth’s Rock trails.
Colours are especially vibrant along Highway 60 through Algonquin Provincial Park. (Barbara Fox photo)
    All month is the prime time for viewing flaming red maple, deep yellow poplar and white-barked birch trees leaves.
   For tips on visiting the parks, best viewing locations and more, check out the updated fall colour reports at ontarioparks.com/fallcolour
   Destination Ontario’s Forget packs his weekly update report with the progression of the colours along with tips on fall events.
   Learn about great scenic lookouts, fall driving and hiking tours posted at ontariotravel.net “to discover the best of Ontario’s ever-changing fall landscape,” he adds.

   Hi, ho come to the fair
   It’s been around since 1840 so they know a few things about what makes a successful fall fair.
   That’s the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show (172 South Drive) in Simcoe, from Oct. 2 to 8 recalling “those wonderful excitement-filled carnivals of our youth.”
   It’s where clouds of pink candy floss stick to our fingers and the showmen beckon us to win the “doggie doggie,” as carousels spin round and round, lights flash and the music plays on.
Huge veggies are a big attraction at fall fairs including Norfolk. (Jim Fox photo)
   “This is Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair and one the largest fairs in the province with more than 15,000 entries in competitions,” said general manager George Araujo.
   It includes giant pumpkins, equine, art, livestock, poultry, garden products, homecraft and photography with 120,000 visitors annually, he added.
   Along with great concerts and days of motorsports the fair doesn’t forget its rural roots.
   “There is a menagerie of livestock, baby animals such as lambs and majestic teams of horses along with the open western horse show, antique buggy and pony classes, and jumpers,” publicist Wendy Brick said.
   Entertainment is highlighted on Oct. 5 by the Canadian Country Smash Up featuring George Canyon, Aaron Pritchett and Emerson Drive followed by the Hunter Brothers the next night.
   There’s also the Party on the Track presented by Ramblin’ Road Brew Farm for the grandstand shows.
The midway is bustling at the Norfolk County Fair. (Barbara Fox photo)
   New brands and new bands are at the Harvest Beer & Wine Festival on Oct. 5 to 8 starting at 1 p.m. in the Rec Centre Arena.
   Also fun are the Norfolk Karaoke Championships, skateboard competition and demolition derby. For details and tickets, visit norfolkcountyfair.com; or phone (519) 426-7280.

   October fall fairs:
   Elmvale/Flos, Oct. 4-6; Erin, Oct. 4-8; Tiverton, Oct. 5-7; Brigden (Moore) and Burford, Dorchester and Rockton, all Oct. 5-8; Norwood and Woodbridge, Oct. 6-8; and Walkerton, Oct. 12-14. Details and links at ontariofairs.org

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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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