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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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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