The curtain's rising on a new season of plays at the Stratford and Shaw festivals

   One-Tank Trip for March 30/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Go beyond the stage as the curtain rises on a new season of plays across Ontario.

   The highlights celebrate the “Bard (William Shakespeare)” in Stratford and “Bernie (George Bernard Shaw)” in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

   Along with seeing some of the finest theatrical performances anywhere, the theatres are located in stunningly scenic and captivating places for visitors to explore.

   This season’s theme at the Stratford Festival is “Breaking Boundaries,” said Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, with a dozen productions from April through November.

Tour the archives at the Stratford Festival to see costumes, props and images.

    In its Visitors Guide, the festival showcases tours, exhibitions and activities beyond and behind the curtain.

Cutting the cruise ship gluttony on the high seas

Feature is available on the sister site - Out to Sea.

https://outtoseatravel.blogspot.com/2019/03/cruise-ships-trying-to-cut-gluttony-and.html

Honk, honk! Make way for the Stratford swans; Spring Cottage Life Show; parks and sappy outings

   One-Tank Trip for March 16/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   So much for groundhog predictions of an early spring – but wintry weather really is on the wane.

   Sure signs of winter beating a retreat are swans making their noisy march in Stratford, the Cottage Life Show, parks coming alive and flowing sap.

With much pomp and ceremony, the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums shows the way.

   The honking wiggle, waddle parade by 22 swans, “Stratford’s honorary ambassadors,” happens April 7 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

   This is part of a weekend of “family fun announcing the arrival of spring,” said Cathy Rehberg of the Stratford Tourism Alliance.

   There’s also the “pop-up decorated swans” in downtown Stratford where someone can win a $100 shopping spree by voting for their favourite.

   Crowds flock to Stratford to watch the swan procession to the Avon River. (Scott Wishart photo)

Outdoor shows herald the arrival of spring

   One-Tank Trip for March 9/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada’s biggest fishing and outdoor show is sure to “lure” you into going wild during the March school break.

   Organizers say that many generations have had their introduction to Canada’s outdoor heritage during the long history of the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show.

   It’s been around annually for 69 years and returns to the International Centre (6900 Airport Rd.) in Mississauga from March 13 to 17.

Learn how to catch the “big” ones at the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show.

    Taking centre stage are fishing, hunting, boating, camping and outdoor adventures displayed throughout the huge show space.

Chilling out with icy adventures across Ontario; its a slippery slope

   One-Tank Trip for March 2/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   There’s still time to “chill out” with icy adventures before they melt away.

   We’ve had more than our share of icy weather throughout the winter, leading the more hardy to embrace newer forms of slippery pursuits.

Snowkites and ice fishers dot Rice Lake at the Elmhirst Resort. (Photo by Justen Soule)

   One of the latest is snowkiting over a frozen lake along with ice climbing walls of frozen water.

   Also known as kite skiing, the sport involves using kite power on snow or ice similar to kiteboarding on water.

   Snowkiting is now big at Elmhirst Resort on Rice Lake, near Peterborough.

   This is because of Stephen Elmhirst’s “passion for the sport” as he’s recognized as a certified trainer and promotes the event year-round, said the resort’s Christine Painter.

   The resort offers introductory lessons and there’s an annual snowkiting weekend in January.