Fall for Guelph Food Fests

When I meet someone new for the first time and they find out that I work for Guelph Tourism, they usually ask me, “so what is there to do in Guelph?” I typically say something like, ‘Guelph is really awesome…there’s always something going on. But we really love our festivals and local food!”

Guelphites have a passion for local festivals and food, and we get really excited when those two things merge together to create something extra special - food festivals!

Here’s a rundown of the food festivals happening in Guelph in August and September.

Ribfest – August 25-28

A Guelph favourite, this festival, put on by the Rotary Club of Guelph, features eight ribbers saucing it up to be voted the best ribs in town. But the fun doesn’t stop with the ribs. The festival also features some awesome entertainment, and this year they’ve extended the festival to include Thursday for a special fundraising concert featuring Canadian classic rock favourite April Wine!

Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium

Food Truck Fest – September 7

Guelph has developed a true love for food trucksand the Food Truck Festival is where it all began. Now in its second year, the food truck fest banked off of its incredible first event and is back again with 10 local food trucks featuring something for every taste bud. This year’s event will also have live entertainment to enjoy while shoving your face with insanely amazing food.

Photo courtesy of Lynn Vanschaik

Grate Cheese Fest – September 24

I'm glad the cheese stands alone because it makes it easier to find.
Sorry for the cheesy joke – but you won’t have to look too hard to find the cheese at the Grate Cheese Fest! The food fest features amazing comfort foods for all to enjoy. This second annual event has a variety of food exhibitors showcasing their cheesy creations.

Photo courtesy of Grand River Shows

Vegfest – September 25

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or curious about a plant-based lifestyle, Vegfest Guelph is back celebrating their third year with even more to offer. Situated in the picturesque Goldie Mill ruins you’ll find delicious vegetarian/vegan options from comfort food, to burgers, to cupcakes for dessert from a large array of food and drink vendors and educational exhibits.

Photo courtesy of Sharp Goat Photography

Honourable mention: Welly Cask Fest – September 10 & 11

If Guelph’s first loves are festivals and food, than beer would have to be a very close second. Locally owned and operated, Wellington Brewery hosts this festival merging the love of beer, food, and entertainment together for one unforgettable weekend. The event features over 25 cask beers and ciders including a selection of Welly One-Off recipes – what a great way to welcome in autumn!

Photo courtesy of Austin Gibson Photography

To find more info about local festivals like these, check out the events calendar at visitguelphwellington.ca

 By: Dana 

A City Girls Guide to Outdoors: 5 patios, 1 day

When summer hits it’s great to be outdoors, am I right? The sun beating down on your face, the wind in your hair, the limited amount of layers you need to wear – pure bliss! Summer is for being outdoors and being outdoors is great until that one friend (and we all have one) inundates your Instagram feed with pictures of themselves mountain biking, white water rafting, camping, running the trails – enjoying the #sweatlife. This is all fine and dandy; I admire these outdoor hobbies and can understand the appeal from afar. But let’s get real here for a minute - summer is all about a great brew and great food on a great patio!

   

So here’s my guide to 5 Guelph patios in 1 day:

1. We start our patio journey in this magical little secret garden at With The Grain. If you were to ask where do the locals go?  This is the spot. Everything is delicious. You can start with brunch or sip a cup of tea here at lunch. The patio is quaint, fresh and pretty perfect right?

My pick: Try a cup of chili with all the toppings, a side of roasted squash salad, with an iced tea and DO NOT leave without having a lemon square – that’s an order!! 

2. It’s halfway through the day now and you need a coffee (or a second or third), let’s get you there. Red Brick Cafe has great coffee and your pick of patios. Out front is the newly built wood haven where you can perch, sip and read the paper. Out back is a cool, alleyway hangin’ spot, more privacy and stronger drinks as the day turns into night.

        My pick: iced coffee by day, sangria by night.  Try the muffin of the day too!

3. In terms of patios, this one will have you in the heart of downtown Guelph. Buon Gusto has a beauty patio right in St. Georges Square; its unique shape makes each table feel private which really enhances the dining experience in such a public spot. Let’s have lunch!

My pick: If they happen to have salmon on special when you are there – GET IT! Otherwise start with the roasted cauliflower and you will never go wrong with the margherita pizza. Don’t forget a glass of bubbly too – the prosecco to be exact. 

4. Dinnertime! Miijidaa café and bistro’s patio has been transformed into quite the oasis, flowing seamlessly from indoors through tall windows that separate the dining room and patio.  This is a patio you can really unwind on, my tip is to reserve the beautiful, hand crafted farmers table for a group patio get together!

       My pick: If you’re feeling like fish and chips then definitely get - the fish and chips! (The chips are double fried, so they’re crispy to perfection!) I also recommend the hay smoked duck breast and a perfect elk scotch egg to start (maybe throw in some PEI mussels too). And don’t forget a great brew, there are lots of great local brews on tap (go with the Wellington seasonal) or try the blueberry port mojito!

5. By now you have visited four great patios in one day, and you’re feeling pretty full, let’s finish off with a solid local pint or two at a Guelph rite of passage: The Woolwich Arrow, locals call it The Wooly.  Now you may be swayed by the charming balcony in front of this beautiful old house, but if you can’t find a spot don’t worry, swing around back to a generous, roofed patio; that’s right, everyone’s ultimate patio dream of chilling in the rain.

My pick: Definitely get a draught sampler; you can try four different beers in adorably small glasses. With a wide range of Guelph beers on tap, you’ll have lots of options. Go with a light and dark beer from Wellington Brew, snag one from Stonehammer and throw in the Sleeman light if they have it. 

Enjoy the great outdoors people!

By: Charlotte

#music #culture #goodeats 

Summer Fun In Guelph On A Budget

It's finally summer here in the Royal City. And it's about time too! After two very damp and much cooler summers, we're due for some hot weather. Summer, can also be expensive. The financial cost of going out and doing things in the nicer weather can add up. We here at Visit Guelph came up with a list of fun things to do if you're in Guelph for the summer but you're on a budget. After all, having fun doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money! 

Movies in the Square

The family favourite Movies in the Square is back again this summer! This year's movies include Minions, Big Hero 6, The Avengers, and How To Train Your Dragon. Seating is BYOC (bring your own chair) and first come first served. Don't forget the snacks!

Check out the new skate park

Guelph finally has an outdoor skate park! Located across from the old OPP station, where the volleyball courts on Wellington Street used to be, the new skate park is already proving to be popular. It's always buzzing with activity when I drive by! Check out this awesome 360 video of the new skate park! 

Play a round of disc golf at the Arboretum

Admission to the Arboretum is free and the disc golf course is open to the public without reservations. Challenge your friends to see who can get the best score! 

Grab a copy of Ispy

After last year's successful relaunch, the Ispy challenge is back again this year. This year's theme encourages people to explore their own city in a way they might not have before. Grab a copy of Ispy from your local library branch, the brochure racks at the Civic Museum, or download a copy to print at home. Bring your completed card to the main branch of the library any time in August for a prize!

Go for a hike or bike ride

Guelph is covered in hiking trails. Many of the trails in town are level and easily accessible. Some are even paved! Don your favourite pair of walking shoes, grab a friend, and hit the trail. You can literally walk from Clair Road all the way up to Guelph Lake on the trails!

Canada Day at Riverside Park

Always a hugely popular event, admission does require a small donation to the Rotary Club of Guelph. The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family, and the money does go to local charities. Canada Day in the Park has events going on all day for people of all ages.

John Galt Day

John Galt Day is a family friendly event that takes place over the Civic holiday weekend in August. Carden Street is shut down to traffic and open to fun. Run through the splash pad or check out the live entertainment. Admission to the civic museum will also be free that day! 

Grand River Raceway's Weenie Race

It was such a big hit last summer, they're doing it again this year! Take the short drive north to Grand River Raceway on July 8th to watch the second annual Wiener Dog Races. Hilarity will unfold as dachshunds race to their owners on the finish line. Last year's champion, Junebug, has entered again to defend his title! There are no losers at this event, only wieners! 

You Know You're From Guelph When...

• You've had to explain to someone how to pronounce 'Guelph' 

The spelling and pronunciation of Guelph don't correlate. If they did, we would still be spelling Guelph as 'Gwelf'. English is not the most concise language and likes to throw in extra and silent letters for fun to mess with us. At some point over time, the spelling of the name changed, but the pronunciation stayed the same. Trying to explain to someone how to pronounce 'Guelph' can sometimes be a challenge, though often an entertaining one.

• You've used Church of our Lady as a point of reference for getting around town or giving directions

Admit it, we've all done it. There are still bi-laws on the books that say that no buildings can be higher than the church. Whether or not that will still be the case in the future as more condo buildings are built in the downtown area, remains to be seen. Still, it is nice to know that our skyline is unique and that our most iconic building can be seen from most parts of town.

Peek-a-boo!

• If you don't know everyone in town, you know someone who does

Even though the population of the city is almost 130,000, Guelph still has that small town feel to it. My best friend's grandfather was the youngest of ten children, and because of that we're always running into people she knows when we go out. If your family has been in Guelph for a few generations, the chances are pretty good that you're going to know a lot of people. The Six Degrees of Guelph is a real thing, just ask someone who's been here for a while!

Whether or not you can connect to Kevin Bacon is another thing all together

• You're curious what the Begging Bear is dressed up as when you walk or drive by

The Begging Bear has become such an iconic part of Guelph, that we're always curious how he'll be dressed up. When the students are around, almost every day it's something different, so it comes as a surprise to us when he's not dressed up! During the summer months, he spends a bit more time aux natural, but that doesn't mean we're not curious what look he'll be sporting next!

He's quite the fashionista

• The sight of heavy farm equipment on the road doesn't phase you

You don't have to drive very far out of Guelph to find farm land. Because of that, it's not uncommon to occasionally find the farm equipment driving around on city roads. While we usually see it more in the winter to help with snow removal, it's not uncommon to see the occasional tractor on our roads. Getting around them on roads with a solid yellow line, mind you, can be a challenge!

• You know we were the largest community in the country without a Walmart for a very long time

For a very long time, Guelph had no Walmart. Soon, we'll have two. The battle to get a Walmart into the city lasted ten years and cost millions of dollars. It was a very polarizing issue. People who were pro-Walmart, were tired of driving over to Cambridge. Those who were anti-Walmart argued environmental concerns, and that Walmart would destroy local businesses. Eventually the big box store won out, and while there was some protest on opening day, we haven't heard much since.

• You can name several famous or well-known Guelphites

Guelph has other famous people besides John McCrae. One of the city's best known Guelphites is an American who didn't move here until 1975! Robert Munsch, author of childhood favourites including The Paper Bag Princess, and Love You Forever, initially moved here to work at the university, but eventually left to focus on his writing full time. He is the recipient of the Order of Canada, and has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Not bad for someone who almost became a Jesuit priest!

Other well known Guelphites include Olympian Victor Davis, author Jean Little, and actress Neve Campbell. Olympian and athlete Cassie Campbell attended the University of Guelph from 1992 to 1996, and is an honorary Guelphite!

• You might have put your arm in a cow's stomach at College Royal 

The University of Guelph's College Royal, is the largest university open house in North America. Started back in 1925, College Royal is a 12 day long event that is 100% student run. There are a lot of events happening over that 12 day period, but it is also an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at the OVC. It's a rare opportunity to take a look at some of the animals that the university works with, including the cannulated cows. The cows aren't always available to the public to see and if they are, be sure to take the opportunity to check it out. If you're brave enough, put your arm inside one. Be careful though! It's a bit smelly! Mike Rowe demonstrates how it's done

It's weird, but interesting

Top 10 Place to Take a #Guelphie This Summer

It's Tourism Week once again here at 1 Carden. One of the several things we're doing this year to promote tourism within the city, is encouraging people to take a #Guelphie and post it to social media using the hashtag. Where is the perfect place to take a #Guelphie? Anywhere in Guelph! We do, however, have a few favourites and recommendations to get you started. Read on!

With the Begging Bear 
With almost a thousand followers on Twitter, Guelph's Begging Bear is certainly one of the more vocal members of the Guelph statuary community. Dressing up the bear to advertise community events, or just because you can, is a big part of life in Guelph. Particularly for the University of Guelph students. We're always curious as to how he'll be dressed when we walk or drive by. Located at the bus stop at the Art Gallery of Guelph, the Begging Bear is highly accessible and loves taking selfies with anyone who wants one. And unlike Justin Bieber, he never says no!










At Hillside
The Hillside Festival is often ranked among one of the top ten music festivals in the country. Every year thousands of festival goers flock to the island at Guelph Lake to listen to live music over a three days weekend at this multistage venue. Now in its 32nd year, Hillside has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a one day free event in Riverside Park that promised an "11 hour celebration for all the ages." In addition to being one of the top festivals in the country, Hillside is also praised as one of the greenest music festivals. Every year, over 1200 people volunteer their time to work tirelessly to help keep the conservation area clean and tidy for everyone's enjoyment.

Painting Pottery at Play with Clay
Located in St. Georges Square, Play with Clay has become a fixture among downtown Guelph. It's a popular place for people of all ages. At any given time, you can find children's birthday parties, grandparents with their grandchildren, and couples on dates. They have hundreds of unfinished pottery items to choose from, that you then paint however you want. The friendly staff take care of the glazing process and you pick up your art a week later. Want to do more? Play with Clay offers pottery classes for adults, and pottery camps for teens and children.

Playing a game at the Round Table
Relatively new to the Royal City, the Round Table Gaming Tavern is quickly becoming a hot spot. With a library of over 300 games, the Round Table has games for everyone, regardless of what you enjoy playing. No tavern would be complete without food and drink, and the Executive Chef has you covered. With unique, geeky twists on classics snacks, such as Shredder's Nachos or the Dark Side Brownie, you won't go hungry while you try to win at Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, or whichever game suits your fancy. So come, sit, eat, and drink, as you enjoy an evening of fun and merriment. And be sure to snap your #Guelphie with Kilgharrah, the resident dragon!

Enjoying the splash pad at Market Square
The splash pad at Market Square is a multi season venue. In the winter it doubles as an ice rink. In the summer months, the splash pad is a great place to beat the heat. Grab some ice cream from Sweet, or Gelato from Planet Bean, kick off your shoes, and wade through the cooling waters. You'll feel much better!









At Ribfest
Ribfest is one of Guelph's most popular festivals. Every August, for three days, Riverside Park is transformed into Ribberside Park. Vendors from across the province turn up with their smokers and custom sauces to compete in various categories that the public votes on. In addition to the ribs, there is also a classic car show and an entire lineup of musicians to entertain you while you eat. It's the yummiest three days at Riverside, by far!






At one of the many festivals 
Guelph plays host to many festivals besides Hillside. There's the Dance Festival (which is coming up this weekend), the Jazz Festival, and Guelph Music Fest, to name a few. The festivals in Guelph and the surrounding area are a great way to get out into the community, meet new people, or volunteer your time. There's a festival out there for everyone!









At Movie Night in the Square

Not only is Market Square used in all seasons, it's also multi purpose! Every summer, in July and August, a giant screen is erected twice a month and family friendly movies are shown for for free for all to enjoy. This year's movies include Minions, Big Hero 6, The Avengers, and How to Train Your Dragon. So grab a lawn chair, some snacks and a blanket, get nice and cozy, and enjoy a relaxing evening!





While enjoying the sun at Guelph Lake

The conservation area at Guelph Lake has both day use, and over night use facilities. The warm sandy beaches are perfect for sandcastles and to dig your toes into, while the cool water of the lake will be refreshing on a hot summer day. Located only a five minute drive north of Guelph, the Guelph Lake conservation area is the perfect place to take a summer #Guelphie!










With a donkey from the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada
Located just south of Guelph, lies the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, a quiet farm that is home to almost 100 donkeys and mules, as well as several goats, and at one point, a llama! As this is a working farm, the sanctuary is only open on Sundays May 1 to October 30, and on Wednesdays in July and August. Still, there is lots to see and do! Be sure to stop by the on site learning centre to learn about all the care and work that goes into keeping these gentle animals happy and healthy, as well as the difference between a donkey, mule, and a hinny! You can also take the opportunity to brush the animals. And they'll never say no to a #Guelphie!


We want to know: Where is your favourite place in town to snap a #Guelphie? Let us know in the comments, and share your pictures with us, using the #Guelphie hastag!

United Way Pop-Up Dinner

Okay, so this isn't exactly about tourism in the city, but it's about an awesome event that's happening in Guelph, so surely that counts for something, right?

Guelph has always been the kind of city that's giving. There are many groups in the city that regularly give to charities. One of the biggest groups in town is the United Way. The United Way supports almost 100 different programs across Guelph and in the surrounding area. That, in turn, means they require a lot of funding, often from donations and the numerous fundraising events that happen throughout the year. A quick Google search will show just how many events and corporate sponsors there are for the United Way. With Easter just around the corner, fundraising campaigns are starting to gear up again.

One such event is the United Way Pop-Up Dinner, happening Sunday April 3rd. As part of their final project, students at Conestoga College's Guelph campus are organizing a six-course dinner and silent auction. Local chef, Justin Dafoe will be cooking up what should be an interesting dinner. Check out his Instagram photos, and you'll see examples of what you're in for.

Several companies in the area have donated to this event, including Morton's Wholesale, who have graciously donated all the food supplies. Not familiar with Morton's? You may have seen their delivery truck around, especially in the Downtown area. They supply local restaurants and cafes, such as With the Grain, The Woolwich Arrow, and Borealis Grille & Bar.

Silent auction donations currently include a gift basket from Thyme to Cook, four VIP passes for Air U Trampoline Park, and a one hour interview session with Forever Tree Films.

To get tickets, contact Jocelyn, and she'll hook you up. Her email address is at the bottom of the poster below. Tickets for the dinner cost $90 each. While that may seem like a lot, 75% of that will be going directly to the United Way ($67.50 per ticket!). Tickets are limited, so make sure you get one. You won't want to miss out!

I'll be there!

My Story, My Tattoo

The history of tattooing is as old as civilization itself and is found in cultures around the world. The Iceman discovered in the Italian-Austrian border area of the Alps in the early 1990s has tattoos and he is around 5200 years old. Over the decades and centuries, the meaning of tattooing has changed and evolved along with society.

In the 1970's, tattooing in western society experienced a resurgence in popularity. No more are they just for military personnel and bikers. Its becoming more socially acceptable for anyone to have one or more tattoos. Chances are, you work with people who have them, they might just be hidden.

More and more, people are choosing tattoo designs that have personal meaning to them. Whether its a hand print, GPS coordinates, or a semicolon, it means something to the person having it done. Tattoos are becoming more than just drawing chosen from a sketchbook.

Wellington County Museum and Archives currently has an exhibit that tells the story of thirty people and their tattoos. The exhibit explores the art, as well as the reasons and meanings behind why these people chose what they did. Artist Mac Young from Nighthawk Tattoo, and Stigmata Body Art owner Joan Larsen are featured, as well as Stigmata artist Adam Shortreed. The exhibit runs until March 27 and is well worth the half hour drive north of Guelph. You might just see someone that you know!