Just add water for summer fun in Ontario's Lake Country

   One-Tank Trip for June 29/19

     (c) By Jim Fox

   There’s an oasis of tranquility that’s a four-season playground away from the hustle and bustle just a little more than an hour north of Toronto.

   They call it Ontario’s Lake Country, the region north of Barrie, that’s one of the province’s most picturesque spots.

   Its major metropolis is Orillia, population 33,000 not counting seasonal residents, on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching and the Trent Severn Waterway.

Cisco keeps a watch as another day ends at Bass Lake. (Jim Fox photo)

    This makes for some of the best boating, paddling, swimming, fishing and water sports, along with activities such as trail riding, mountain biking, hiking, skiing and snowmobiling.

   Orillia hasn’t lost its small-town charm as the downtown streets are lined with one-of-a-kind restaurants, cafes, shops and amenities.

Guelph Arts Council announces summer exhibitions at 10C Shared Space

Guelph, ON – June 27, 2019 – Guelph Arts Council is pleased to announce four summertime exhibitions in the street-level community gallery at 10C Shared Space, 42 Carden Street.

Three feature work by local emerging and newcomer artists, and the fourth celebrates the work of Art on the Street 2019 award winners.

Guelph Arts Council is grateful for support for its Making Art, Making Change project from The Guelph Community Foundation – Musagetes Fund. The project will continue in November and December 2019.

First up is After the Fires, in which emerging artist Anne Munroe uses photography to reflect on the devastation of forest fires in Williams Lake, BC. Anne’s project involved visits and interviews with affected community members. Anne is a photographer and painter, a senior Studio Art student at the University of Guelph, and a participant in the Guelph Emerging Artist Mentorship Project. The exhibition runs from July 3 – 15. Please join us for an opening reception with the artist on Wednesday, July 3 from 5 – 7 pm.

How to plan the ultimate family road trip

(Provided by Hyunda Canada publicity)

With summer fast approaching, many Canadian families are gearing up for some fun upcoming road trips. While road trips are filled with fun for all involved, planning a smooth sailing trip can sometimes feel like a bit of a bumpy ride.

 

Before buckling everyone into the car, parents need to organize themselves with the ultimate family road trip checklist.

Not only will this combat parental road trip anxiety, but it’ll ensure they get to their chosen destinations while limiting the amount of “ARE WE THERE YET?” heard from the back seats. Things to think about for your next family road trip include:

World cultures gather for summer fun at TD Sunfest '19 in London, Ontario

Find your summer vibe – hot dancing shoes and cool Sunfest Cerveza beer are a must! – during the landmark 25th edition of Canada’s Premier Celebration of World Cultures.  Voted one of the best overseas music festivals by the UK’s prestigious Songlines Magazine, as well as a TOP 100 event by Festivals & Events Ontario, TD Sunfest'19 is ready to transfigure London’s beautiful Victoria Park into a culturally diverse jewel where, for four days, 40 outstanding world music & jazz groups from all corners of the planet – Brazil to Reunion Island – will entertain on five stages.

It's all happening this summer, adventures and more, in Ontario's Lake Country

(Provided by Ontario's Lake Country) Summer 2019)

A summer filled with fun and adventure is guaranteed in Ontario’s Lake Country north of Barrie

Orillia Events and Festivals

Summer Block Party July 27 - A downtown summer street festival like no other! Showcasing a fusion of art, fun interactive activities, music, food, kid zones, sizzling sales & giveaways.

Pirate Party – Aug 31 – Sept 1 - Join us at the Port of Orillia on the Labour Day Weekend for this fun-filled annual event, featuring live music, entertainment and a treasure hunt through Downtown Orillia. Prizes awarded for the Best Pirate Boat and Best Pirate Crew! Landlubbers in pirate garb expected!

Mariposa Folk Festival - Check out Showcase winning acts, spoken word performances & kids’ activities. For more than 50 years, Mariposa has been presenting world class creators and performers of folk, roots, blues, gospel, acoustic and world music traditions in a beautiful, family-friendly setting. Orillia’s largest festival is once again featuring the Downtown Stage & Story Stage!

Plenty of fun things are happening this upcoming Canada Day weekend at Casino Rama near Orillia, Ontario

   (News Release)

 

   Burton Cummings and Band plays Friday, June 28 & Saturday, June 29.

   Get there early on Friday as radio’s 104.1 The Dock will be joining us to kick off the long weekend with some pre-show fun and prizes.

   Both nights, one lucky audience member could win a chance to meet Burton Cummings.

   Check out the late-night all-you-can-eat Canadian themed snack bar for only $16.95 at Firestarter Lounge or grab a pint and listen to more live music with Dan Clancy performing in the Simcoe Yard House.

    On July 1^st, we are running a Canada Day Hot Seat. You could win $1,000. From 2p.m. to 8 p.m., we’re giving away $1,000 within every 15 minutes and there EW free Canada Day t-shirts up for grabs.

   Complimentary cupcakes will be served at 12 noon on July 1st while quantities last.

   For more information on concerts and more, go to https://www.casinorama.com/Live

   From Natasha Borutski, Public Relations Specialist| Casino Rama Resort 

Tall ships 'a comin' to Toronto Harbour on Canada Day weekend; other Canadian and U.S. ports

   One-Tank Trip for June 22/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Ahoy matey, ready for a “mari-good time?”

   The tall ships are ‘a comin’ to the Great Lakes this summer.

   They’ll drop anchor on the Canada Day weekend, June 29 to July 1, for the Redpath Waterfront Festival on Toronto’s waterfront.

The return of the Bluenose II will be a highlight of the Redpath Waterfront Festival in Toronto.

    Along with a weekend of mostly free entertainment, there’s a chance for visitors to jump on board (with tickets) the fleet of 12 vessels some of which offer evening sailings.

   They’ll be participating in the Tall Ships Challenge Race Series, visiting ports in Canada and the United States.

   Among the highlights will be a visit by Bluenose II, Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador, available for tours on deck, after a 10-year absence from Toronto.

Oh Canada, It’s Alive and the Puslinch Lake Home Tour make fun day trips

   One-Tank Trip for June 15/19

    

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Get ready for a big dose of “pure Canadiana” at a dinner show in Niagara Falls that’s been given a makeover in time for Canada Day.

   Oh Canada Eh? marks its 25th anniversary as an interactive theatre experience that celebrates the Great White North, said publicist Courtney De Caire.

   “The songs, actors, production, rustic log cabin theatre – even the structure of the show itself – are pure Canadiana,” she added.

There’s lots of singing and dancing in the O Canada Eh? show.

    Featuring music from post Second World War to modern pop, Oh Canada Eh? tells a story about our culture and psyche and highlights the country’s special sense of humour.

   This includes singing Mounties, lumberjacks, Anne of Green Gables and a hockey player paying tribute to about 50 songs by 30 Canadian recording artists.

   With some 6,000 performances under its belt and entertaining 1.2-million people, Canadiana Productions Inc. calls this season a “showstopper.”

Hit the beach, hiking and bike trails and leave the car behind

   One-Tank Trip for June 8/19

   By Jim Fox

   Trains, planes and buses are offering adventurous new ways of hitting the beach, parks, hiking and biking trails this summer.

   Leave the car behind and save that tank of gas with the Bend Bus, Parkbus, Erie Fun Tours, Porter Airlines, GO Transit and VIA Rail trains.

   “I’m pumped about getting people to the beach and making solid summer memories,” said Matthew Thomas, founder and chief beach bum of Bend Bus.

All aboard the Bend Bus, making trips to the beach throughout the summer.

    The London-based transportation service is expanding to offer weekend and holiday Monday round-trips to Grand Bend and Port Stanley beaches from London and Kitchener starting June 22.

   Thomas launched the service last summer with 12 trips to and from Grand Bend from London.

Grand Bend beach (Ontario's Southwest)

   “I wanted a fun, easy way to get to the beach, experience the Great Lakes and explore the incredible beachside towns,” Thomas said.

   Bend Bus offers morning and afternoon trips from London and morning trips from Kitchener and St. Thomas every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Mondays.

Paddle your own canoe, kayak on the Grand River with Bingemans, Grand Experiences

   One-Tank Trip for June 1/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Take a “grand adventure” padding a canoe or kayak down a lazy river.

   You can combine canoeing, kayaking and camping with a partnership between Bingemans of Kitchener and Grand Experiences Outdoor Adventure Co.

   It happens on the Grand River, the largest watershed in southern Ontario that starts as a stream in Dufferin County and flows 280 kilometres to Lake Erie.

It’s a fun time getting out on the Grand River.

    This watery jewel running through southwestern Ontario is a great source of recreation including fishing, boating, paddle sports and swimming.

   It remains largely tranquil even as it flows through the urban areas of Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge and Brantford.

   The partnership adds more river attractions to its camping and entertainment options, said president Mark Bingeman.