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!
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
The fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics that #Guelph is hosting in May continues. Following their highly successful Polar Plunge at the beginning of February, Guelph Police Services will be having a mud run. Cox Creek Cellars, located just north of Guelph on highway 6, will be hosting the event on Saturday May 7th.
Appropriately, the mud run is called the Muddy Grape.
The registration fee is $40 per person, regardless of if you participate in a team (4 to 6 people) or individually. You can choose whether or not you want your race timed with a chip. All participants are required to fundraise a minimum of $60 each.
The course is designed to challenge participants of all skill levels, regardless of if this is your first mud race, or your tenth.
There will be prizes for the teams and individuals who raise the most money, the fastest competitive times, and best costumes. After the race there will be live entertainment, as well as food vendors, merchandise vendors on site. Admission is free for family or friends who are coming to cheer on racers.
Be sure to get your friends and family together for what is sure to be a good time!
If you're interested in volunteering for the Muddy Grape, or any of the other fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics follow this link to find out what opportunities there are. Lots of volunteers are also needed for the event it self, at the end of May.
I don't know about you, but I feel as though Thanksgiving snuck up on us this year. I spent so much of my time and energy earlier this year being preoccupied with what ended up being the vacation of a lifetime, that the rest of the year sailed by without me noticing. I blinked and it was the beginning of October.
Thanksgiving is something I've always felt a little strange about. I suppose I never really understood it. Yes, it's about giving thanks, as the name implies, but giving thanks for what? As a child, all it really meant to me was getting together with extended family that you may or may not like and having a HUGE meal that no one could usually finish. Then you'd be stuck eating turkey leftovers for a week or more.
Once I started working, Thanksgiving lost what little bit of meaning it had. I always had to work that weekend. I didn't mind, however. Time-and-a-half on an eight to ten hour day can bring in some good spending money.
So, in no particular order, these are the things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving:
I am grateful for the support my parents have given me over the years, especially when they let me move back in with them a few years ago. Our relationship isn't always the greatest, but we try our best.
I'm grateful for my friends, both close to home and far away. I had the opportunity to reconnect with some of my friends in Europe this summer, and we had a lot of fun in Brussels and Amsterdam.
Me at the Atomium in Brussels
I also met a group of awesome people while in Mongolia this summer. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share the experiences we had with, including my 30th birthday. The trip gave me new perspectives on life and myself.
The 30th birthday cake I was surprised with in Mongolia!
My dog. She rarely ceases to bring a smile to my face with her antics and wiggly tail. Yes, she is obstinate and often won't listen. But how can I stay mad at that cute face??
She loves the fish pond!
My two jobs. Both jobs I hold continue to challenge me and make me expand my mind. They have very different skill sets, so there is always something new to encounter. Sure, it makes for a long work week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Advances in medical science. Okay, this one may seem a bit strange. Two people who are very dear to me are each struggling through some medical issues that, while difficult, they will pull through. This would not be possible without all the advances that science has made (and is still making) in detecting and treating illness.
So, dear readers, no matter where you are, or what you're doing this weekend, take a few minutes to call (or text, if you can't call) the people in your lives that you care about. They'll appreciate it.
Most of us need it to start our day, and a lot of us require it to keep us from hitting a wall part way through our workday. It's something a lot of us can't live without.
It's coffee.
Guelph is home to well over forty coffee shops, only about half of which belong to chains such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons. According to Tim Hortons' website there are only twenty Tims in the city. Surprising, considering there seems to be one on every corner. Starbucks has six locations in the city, Coffee Time has four, and Second Cup has three.
The downtown area is home to a number of coffee shops. With the Grain, The Red Brick Cafe, and Capistrano are the cornerstones of downtown coffee culture. Between the three, they've been around for more than forty years. They're well established fixtures in the city with a strong clientele. The Red Brick is especially popular with students.
Compare that with recent newcomers Balzac's and The Common, both of which opened up earlier this year. I felt several years ago that Guelph had hit its saturation point with coffee shops when Magnolia opened its doors. Did we really need another coffee shop? I thought so again a few years ago when Ox opened its doors. Although Ox was primarily a restaurant, they did have the cafe section in the front window. Both businesses have since closed, their owners choosing to pursue other business ventures. While I never made it to Magnolia, I was sad to hear of Ox closing. The baristas made excellent mochas.
With the addition of Balzac's and The Common, the coffee culture continues to grow in Guelph. Both business are popular among downtown residents and those who work in the core. This, of course, means that I was completely wrong about having reached the saturation point of coffee shops in Guelph. And I am totally okay with that.
“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses,
row on row…”
Every Canadian knows that poem, especially every Guelphite.
It is, unsurprisingly, Guelph’s biggest export to the rest of the country. Guelph
is, after all, home to John McCrae’s birthplace, his high school, and the
Ontario Agricultural College, where he taught for a year while taking time off
from his medical studies at the University of Toronto.
It’s tragic for me to admit, but having grown up in Guelph
and having lived in Guelph for 98% of my life, I felt that John McCrae and his
poem had become mundane. I’ve felt, for a long time, as though the poem had
become just words. Something we recited every Remembrance Day as we listened to
the Last Post and had our moment of silence. As school children we were made to
memorize the poem every November and recite it as a group. One year my class
was chosen to recite the poem to the school over the PA system. We each were
given a line to recite individually. Over the years I began to feel about
Remembrance Day, the same way I felt about Christmas: I just didn’t care
anymore. We’d go through the motions, but it just didn’t mean anything.
In 2012, Remembrance Day happened to fall on a Sunday, and
at the time I was living at the corner of London and Woolwich. We were
experiencing a late Indian Summer that year and it was a beautiful day. I’d
never been to the cenotaph for the ceremonies before, and since I wasn’t
working, I decided to go check it out. I took my dog with me since she’s always
up for an outing. As the cenotaph was just a short distance from where I was
living, we walked. I was surprised at the diversity of the people present, and
I wasn’t the only one who brought their dog. I saw two very big (and very
shaggy) Newfoundlanders who were wearing homemade poppies on their dog collars.
I don’t remember much about the ceremony itself, mostly because I’m a bit
vertically challenged and it was difficult to see, but afterwards everyone
(myself included) placed the poppies we’d been wearing on the cenotaph.
The Menin Gate in Ypres
In doing so, I found a bit of a connection that I’d been
missing between myself and what I felt was an intangible concept. I’m not from
a military family. To my knowledge, the last military person was my Dad’s
father, who passed away before I was born. My Mom’s father, whom I did know,
had been denied entry into the army due to an old wrestling injury. The concept
of war is just something I read about in the paper, or see in documentaries. I
have no first hand stories or accounts. In placing my poppy on the cenotaph, I
felt that perhaps I wasn’t so far removed from the Great War as I’d felt for so
long.
Poppy wreaths
I started working for the City of Guelph back in March of
this year. My new co-workers and museum staff were already well into their projects
on promoting In Flanders Fields and John McCrae. McCrae House was undergoing
renovations and was preparing for a grand reopening later in the spring. The
Civic Museum was preparing for several new exhibits about the war. Once the
snow had melted, the museum also began preparing the grounds for where the new
statue of John McCrae would soon call home.
Initially, I felt a bit of dread, knowing that once again I
would have John McCrae and his poem foisted upon me. Eventually, however, I
slowly began to feel a sense of pride in the work that we were doing. Guelph
was home to someone special.
The last week of July, I was in Brussels with a friend of
mine. I made the two hour train journey to Ypres (which took three hours, since
I got stuck in Ghent after a missed connection). I’d happened upon an
advertisement for the In Flanders Fields Museum in the April-May edition of
Canada’s History and was determined to go check it out. Almost the moment I
stepped off the train it began raining. I had my jacket, but no umbrella. I
also realized I had no idea where I was going. I’d forgotten to look up the
directions! I navigated the old cobblestone streets towards the city centre. I
knew the museum was somewhere around the main square, and in most old cities,
there’s at least one church in the city centres.
The main entrance to the museum
After a five-ish minute walk through the Belgian rain, I
happened upon the museum. I paid my entrance fee of €9,
as well as the extra €2 to climb the bell tower. I walked
up the stairs to the exhibit. In the background you could hear a low rumbling,
as if there was fighting in the distance.
I found the In Flanders Fields museum to be a very unique
experience. With your entrance fee, they give you a rubber bracelet that
contains a microchip, with which you can access the displays. You have the
option at the beginning of the museum to input some information about yourself.
Primarily the language of wanted to view the presented information in (English,
Dutch, French, or German), your family name, your age, gender, and where you’re
from. There are four opportunities throughout the museum to have what they
describe as a personal encounter with someone who fought in the war. The
computer tries to match you up with someone who is around the same age as you,
and from the same part of the world. For a long time I felt that the world wars
were this intangible concept, often discussed and debated, but no longer something I could comprehend. Reading these four short biographies made the war somehow more
human, more relatable.
This allows for an interactive experience
In addition to the personal encounters, the microchip in the
bracelet also allows you to access information about the items contained in the
display cases. Unlike most museums that have little plaques beside each item
with a description, the In Flanders Fields museum had an interactive display
screen on each case. You’d hold your bracelet up to the wifi symbol to access
the information, and you could choose which items to view. If you had input your information at the
beginning, it would automatically default to your preferred language.
A familiar face
It took me about two hours to get through the museum. I
wanted to look at everything. I wanted to experience everything. I had come a
very long way, and wasn’t going to waste this opportunity. I left the exhibit
nearly in tears, overwhelmed by emotion. I exited the museum into sunny Belgian skies.
The rain had stopped and the clouds parted. I took the time to wander around
the town a little before heading back to Brussels. Ypres is a beautiful city
and worth visiting, even if you’re not into visiting war museums. It can be a
heavy topic for vacations, after all.
One of the many war memorials in Belgium
As I sit here typing this out, I’m watching the 2015 Artist in Residence working on his latest portrait. Greg Denton’s theme is 100 Portraits/100
Poppies: Sitting in Remembrance. Denton's project will create 100 portrait of veterans and military members of the community, as well as those who have been affected by war and loss, and those inspired by John McCrae's poem. All will be wearing a poppy on their lapel, and once all the portraits are together, it will create the allusion of a field of poppies. I am literally surrounded by John McCrae’s work
this year.
In Flanders Fields is turning 100 this year. If you haven’t
already, take a bit of time to appreciate the poem and what it means to you on
a personal level. The poem is more than just words. It represents love and
loss, pain and suffering. But it also represents hope; the hope that someday,
society may be able to resolve conflict without the need to blow everything up.
The Guelph Civic Museum has some excellent exhibits on the First World War. Fighting in Flanders: Gas. Mud. Memory opens to the public August 21 and will
be on display until November 15. Also be sure to check out the new John McCrae
statue that now proudly sits just outside the museum, overlooking the city. It’s
a legacy that I’m proud to share with the world.
It's the delightful aroma of ribs. Lots and lots of pork ribs.
And not just ribs.
There's bloomin onions, deep fried mars bars, doughnuts, cotton candy, cupcakes, ice cream, funnel cakes...Basically if you want to throw your summer diet out the window, this is the place to do it.
The Guelph Ribfest started 18 years ago and is hosted by the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium. Over the years, Ribfest has raised over $750, 000 for the club. All money goes back into community, or helps to fund international projects.
The 18th annual Ribfest Guelph will be taking place August 28-30, in their usual location at Riverside Park.
Need more ideas with what to do with your children this summer? Here are five more suggestions!
Be
a Puddle Duck
You can rent canoes or kayaks from Speed
River Paddling and explore the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, or you can rent
paddleboats at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area. If you deicide you’d rather
be in the water than on it, you can swim at the conservation area, or at the
West End Rec Centre, the Victoria Road Rec Centre, or Centennial High School
during public swim times. In the summer, come by City Hall to play in the
fountain or visit a splash pad.
Admission and Hours of Operation:
Rec Centres: for hours of operation and applicable prices.
Strom’s Farm has a ton of fun activities
during the harvest season. Where else can you launch pumpkins through the air
in a pumpkin slingshot? The corn maze is another fun challenge if you’re
feeling adventurous, or you can enjoy the marketplace, pedal cards, puppet
shows…the list goes on!
The Magnolia Frisbee golf course is one of
the best kept secrets in Guelph. This 9-hole course is a fun way to explore The
Arboretum. With its many gardens and trails, and it’s wonderful in the fall
when all the leaves are changing.
Hours of Operation and
Admission Fees:
The Arboretum is open to the public free of charge, year round.
Wake up early on Saturday and be rewarded
with the most vibrant place in the city. The many vendors sell produce, fresh
bread, artisan goods, and the highlight for many, doughnuts made fresh – right in
front of you!
Get your hands dirty and make something
unique at Play with Clay. You can either choose to build something from scratch
or decorate an existing piece of pottery. They also offer pottery classes for
all ages. Think you can’t paint? Let the
staff show you a variety of easy techniques to help you make your piece as
unique and individual as you. Don’t worry about rushing to finish, you can come
back as many times as you need to finish your piece for no additional cost.
Pieces are priced individually, starting at $13. The average cost is $18 to
$25.
In the words of Alice Cooper, school's out for summer. Or it will be soon! With the last day of classes quickly approaching, some parents might be wondering what to do with their little ones until Labour Day weekend. There’s lots to see and do in Guelph for
children of all ages and abilities. Whether your children are outdoorsy,
artistic, or just need to burn off some extra energy, there’s always something
for them to do. Even if you don’t have children, you can still embrace your
inner child and do these activities too!
Take a self-guided tour with your family or
attend a Donkey Talk to learn about what donkeys eat, and how they are cared
for. Children can pet and brush the donkeys, and there are walking trails to
enjoy as well. Finish off your visit with a stop at the Long Ears Boutique.
Hours
of Operation: Open to the public May to October, on
Wednesdays and Sundays, 10 am to 4pm.
Admission: Adults
$15, Children $5 (3-12), Students/Seniors $10
Riverside Park is one of Guelph’s biggest
parks, with an antique carousel, a small train for children to ride, and
paddleboat rentals. There are also trails, benches, picnic tables and an accessible
playground to enjoy. Riverside Park is also often host to festivals and events,
so check out your events calendar to find out what going on.
Hours of Operation: May 16 to June 21: weekends only, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
June 22 to September 7: daily, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
September 12 to October 12: weekends only, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Single admission tickets can only be purchased at Riverside Park
Concession for $2.54 each (includes taxes)
2015 Amusement Park Ride Card2015 season’s pass: $17.79 plus tax per
individual
The Royal City Families Gallery at the
Civic Museum has many crafts, interactive computer stations, and hands on
activities. Come and see what it was like for children growing up in Guelph’s
past through activity stations. The Civic Museum is also host to a variety of
temporary exhibits, so check out their website for the most up to date listing
on what’s going on.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday – Open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday – CLOSED
Fourth Fridays – The Fourth Friday of each month, the Guelph Civic
Museum will be open until 9:00 pm with Free Admission from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Admission: $5.00 Adult
$5.00 Senior (65+), Student (15 years old to College/University),
Child (4 to 14 years old)
The Guelph School of Art, run by Wyndham Art Supplies offers classes and workshops run year-round, with day camps during Winter and March Break, and the summer months. They have classes suited to both the beginner and seasoned artist in a range of media specialities. Check out their Spring/Summer brochureto see their latest class offerings and prices.
The Guelph Public Library has crafts and activities
for children of all ages at various times through the week as well and these
activities are free with a library card. Check out their website for details.
There are oodles of parks in Guelph. Some
have splash pads in the summer, some have outdoor skating rings in the winter,
and many have playgrounds. You can rent bikes from Speed River Cycle and try
the trails through Preservation Park, or take the Royal Recreational Trails
north through Riverside Park up to the Guelph Conservation Area. In the winter
take a walk on Starkey’s Trail to see chickadees and sparrows at bird feeders.
All parks and trails are open to the public free
of charge, though though there may be a fee to enter a
special event that is being hosted at one of the parks.
Stay tuned for the rest of this list, later this week!
Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Once again it has snuck up on us! There's lots to do with Dad this weekend, depending on what his interests are. So if you're stuck for ideas on what to do with Dear Old Dad on Sunday, read on!
Visit the Donkeys
As with every Sunday during the warm months, Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Father's Day. Taking Dad to see the donkeys is the perfect way to spend time with him in the outdoors. Go for an hour or two, or take a picnic and make a day of it.
Woolystock 2
Guelph's beloved Woolwich Arrow is turning 25 this year and to celebrate, they're throwing a big, four day party. As the third day of the party happens to also be Father's Day, the Wooly is hosting the Father's Day Cask Festival, which features casks from 25 different breweries. There are two sessions: 12-2:30, and 3-5:30. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the Wooly.
Build a bird house
Head over to the Civic Museum with Dad to build a build a bird house together. This fun activity is ideal for Dads with younger children, though he'll have to make sure that little fingers don't get hurt! Andre Belisle from JL's Home Hardware will be on site to help with this fun project. $15 per person
Go Paddling
If your Dad loves the outdoors, go down to the covered bridge and rent a canoe or kayak from Speed River Paddling for an hour or two. Follow the quiet Eramosa River to Victoria Road, or further if you like! On your return, take a break and grab some ice cream from the Boathouse.
National Aboriginal Day
This year, National Aboriginal Day also falls on Father's Day. Bring Dad down to Market Square between 2 and 3:30 to celebrate the rich culture, unique heritage and notable achievements of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples of Canada. This is a free, family friendly event.
Take a walking tour
Did you know that we have historical walking tours in our city? If Dad loves history and architecture, be sure to take him on the tour that is running this weekend. This week's tour takes participants to the south side of the Speed River to explore one of Guelph's early industrial secions, formerly known as Brooklyn, as well as the College Hill area that developed around the Ontario Agricultural College. The tour includes some of the city's best examples of masonry and stone carving. Tours cost $5 per person, run approximately one hour, and operate rain or shine.
Taste Real Local Food Fest
Is Dad into the organic, Localvore, food scene? Even if he just loves food, he will appreciate the Local Food Fest. Now in its 10th year, this food fest celebrates all food that is produced on a local scale. The event is hosted by Ignatius Jesuit Centre, which also has a small farm that supplies fresh, organic veggies to some restaurants in town. Take in a cooking demonstration, learn about brewing beer, or visit with the goat for a chance to milk one. Admission is by donation, minimum $2.50 per person, or $5 per family.
Street Car Museum
Go for a short drive down Guelph Line and take Dad to the Street Car Museum. The collection includes streetcars, interurbans, suburbans, work equipment, gas equiptmen, buses and much more. There are more than 75 vehicles in the collection presently. Admission for Dad is free with the purchase of one youth admission ($10.50).
Cruizin for the Dog Guides
So many Dads love classic cars. The Guelph Lion's Club is proud to present its second annual Cruizin for Dog Guides. Hosted at Stone Road Mall, this classic car show will feature lots of chrome, music, a 50-50 draw, and lots of old, classic cars. See if you can find the oldest car there! All money raised from this event will go towards the Lion's Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Earlier this week we listed the first five things that we here at 1 Carden feel you shouldn't miss in this busy summer season. Here's the rest of the list! 6. Art
on the Street – July 11
Now in its 13th year, Art on the
Street is a highly regarded exhibition and sale that has become a staple
calendar event for art lovers of all ages. Come browse the originals works of
art and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. With a juried selection of artisans
displaying works including just about every medium: textiles, pottery,
photography, watercolours, oils, acrylic, and more, you are sure to find
something you love!
Now in its 32nd
year, Hillside is the cornerstone in any Guelphite’s summer calendar. The Hillside Festival is a
three-day, five-stage event with a broad artistic vision that emphasizes
diversity: of culture, of musical heritage and style, of age, geography
and influence. The festival takes over the island at Guelph Lake, with many of
the festival goers opting to camp at the conservation area. Performers come
from around the world to share their talent at what is one of the best music
festivals in the country.
Admission:
Friday Day
Pass (4:30pm - 11pm) - $67.24
Saturday Day Pass (10:30am
- 11pm) - $98.88
Sunday Day Pass (10:30am
- 11pm) - $98.88
Adult Weekend Pass - $162.16
Weekend passes and day passes available online
Seniors Weekend Pass - $69.50
+ HST/SC Available at outlets in Guelph, Kitchener, and Toronto beginning
May 2nd, as well as at the festival gate throughout the weekend.
John Galt Day celebrates the founder of our
city, John Galt. The Scottish novelist founded our city in 1827. Galt planned the community with its distinctive radical design, quite different than the gridiron plan of most cities, making Guelph a unique and special place. 188 years later, the city has changed a lot since Galt first laid out his plans, but many things remain the same. This celebration offers free activities and entertainment such as face painting, hands-on crafts, and a community stage featuring local performers. A variety of Guelph Farmer's Market craft and food vendors will also be on site.
Admission: Free!
Don't miss out on the festivities!
9. Fergus
Scottish Festival and Highland Games – August 7 to 9
Take a short drive north of Guelph to
Fergus to experience the wonder of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland
Games. Now in its 69th year, the festival embraces
all things Scottish. Celtic music, bagpipes & drums, heavy events, highland dancing, clans and heritage education. There is something at the festival for everyone!
Admission: (all tickets available online)
Adult: Weekend pass - $53.96
Friday pass - $27.83
Saturday pass - $27.83
Sunday pass - $20.83
Senior: Weekend pass - $43.96
Friday pass - $22.83
Saturday pass - $22.83
Sunday pass - $16.50
Youth: Weekend pass - $43.96
Friday pass - $22.83
Saturday pass - $22.83
Sunday pass - $16.50
Sunday Family package: $43.95 (includes 2 adults and 1 youth. Additional youth $12.09)
In 1997, Guelph’s Riverside Park was
transformed into RIBBERside Park, for what became the first annual Guelph
Ribfest. 18 years later, this three-day weekend long event is still going
strong! End the summer with what has consistently been voted the Guelph
favourite festival. Rain or shine this event provides first class musical entertainment, a kids area and specialized children's entertainment, classic cars, a Bavarian tent, marketplace, and of course delicious, mouth-watering RIBS!
Admission: By donation. Money raised goes back into the community
Summer is a busy time here in the Royal
City. Between June and August it seems like there’s always something going on
at Riverside Park, or a festival happening somewhere in the city. There’s so
much going on, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide what to do! To
help, we narrowed it down to the Top 10 list of events to check out this
summer.
In this list we give you the first five things we recommend you try to make it to this summer.
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada for
their 22nd annual open house. Visit with 70 donkeys and mules and
learn about what goes into the care of these animals. There will also be live
entertainment, demonstrations, and food. Something for everyone!
Admission: Adults
$15, Children $5 (3-12), Students/Seniors $10
Now in its 10th year, the Guelph
Wellington Local Food Fest celebrates food and agriculture in our region. This day-long event is filled with cooking demos, interactive workshops, and exhibitors offering prepared food, craft beer samples, fresh produce, flowers and more!
Admission: Free to the public.
What's not to love about local food?
3. McCrae
House Tea and Tours – June 23 to August 30
Enjoy a tour of McCrae House, and then relax over a cup of tea in the peaceful gardens. It is a chance to pause, reflect, converse, and absorb the historic surroundings. Reservations recommended.
Join your fellow Guelphites at Riverside
Park for the annual Canada Day celebrations. Open at 11am, the park will be
hosting a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. Spoil yourself
with tasty treats from over a dozen food vendors. Try your scoring skills in a
puck shoot out with the Guelph Storm. Visit the midway for rides or try your
luck at a game of chance. Conclude the evening with fireworks as we celebrate
the 148th birthday of our amazing country!
Admission: Cash by donation, $2 per person or $5 per family. Money raised goes
towards local charities and events
Happy birthday, Canada!
5. Outdoor
Theatre: A Night in Flanders – July 2 to August 29
With John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields
turning 100 this year, playwright Donald Mccrae put together an original play
about the writing of this famous poem. Enjoy theatre in the open air, as it was
meant to be enjoyed. Featuring original music, this is a night of theatre you won't soon forget, one that will change the way you read the poem forever. Tickets can be purchased online at www.guelphmuseums.ca.
Tickets: $20 per person
Take a step back in history
Stay tuned for our next update later this week. It will contain the exciting conclusion to this Top 10!
