Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region this Victoria Day long weekend (original) (raw)
It's the long weekend and the unofficial start to summer. If you're sticking close to home for the next few days, but still want to do something fun, there are lots of local events.
Check out local music at the band crawl, celebrate the Cambridge RedHawks or pick up some heritage plants
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The Cambridge RedHawks won the Greater Ontario Hockey League's Sutherland Cup earlier this month and the city is getting ready to celebrate that win with a parade and various events outside city hall Saturday afternoon. (Cambridge RedHawks/Facebook)
Welcome to the May long weekend and if you're sticking around home, there are lots of events to enjoy.
The annual heritage plant sale runs at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The flower and vegetables are varieties found in the gardens of Doon Heritage Village. The plants are available while supplies last and organizers note these are cash sales only.
The Elora Plein Air Festival runs all weekend. Artists will be painting in the village and countryside until late Friday. There's a quick-paint competition on Saturday and the reveal of the paintings from the 75 artists is Saturday night. On Sunday, the show and sale takes place and people can purchase an original piece of artwork created over the past few days.
The warm weather is finally here and that means it's a great time to be outside and watching sports on the big screen at the Gaslight District in Cambridge. That includes Toronto Blue Jays games on Friday night and Saturday and Sunday afternoon as they take on the Detroit Tigers, or watch the Montreal Canadiens take on the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night. People are welcome to bring food and drink, plus their own lawn chairs and watch the game(s).
On Monday, head over to McDougall Cottage in Cambridge, which will be open and will smell delightful with freshly baked mini scones served with jam and whipped cream. There will also be tea, coffee or ginger cordial available. Admission is by donation.
The Kitchener Rangers are on a much deserved break before the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C., but there are plans for a pep rally Tuesday at 5 p.m. in front of Kitchener's city hall.
The Kitchener Panthers will have their home opener on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at Jack Couch Park. They're facing the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers.
The Guelph Royals are on the road this weekend.
LISTEN | What are your plans this Victoria Day long weekend?:
The Morning Edition - K-W5:07What are your plans this Victoria Day long weekend?
Victoria Day weekend usually means road trips, but with rising gas prices, we wanted to know if people are changing their travel plans. CBC K-W’s John Dalusong walked downtown Kitchener to ask people how they’re spending their Victoria Day weekend.
Long Weekend Band Crawl
Sunday starting at 6:30 p.m.
Uptown Waterloo: Room 47, Revive Karaoke, Prohibition Warehouse, Jane Bond, The Roost, Princess Cafe
Six venues in uptown will feature various musicians including The Creepshow, The Abruptors, Broadcast Zero, Arcade Allstars, Mark It Zero, Fat Scheid and The Merry Melodies do Green Day, The Royal Few, Bill McNeal, Kingfisher and many more. Tickets are required and this is a 19+ event.
Chicken Dance at the Market
Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
St. Jacobs Market
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is hosting a large chicken dance celebration at the market with music, dancing and Bavarian-themed activities.
Cambridge RedHawks parade
Saturday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Starts at Galt Arena Gardens, 98 Shade St., celebrations at city hall after the parade
The Cambridge RedHawks hockey team of the Greater Ontario Hockey League has won the Sutherland Cup for the first time and the city is getting ready to celebrate.
The parade will begin at Galt Arena Gardens then follow this route: travelling down Shade Street to Main Street, then going along Main Street to Wellington Street, then on Dickson Street and arriving outside city hall.
At city hall, there will be food trucks, a teddy bear toss, player autographs and Zamboni photo ops.
Improv May-Hem
Saturday at 8 p.m.
Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, 9 Princess St., Waterloo
Expect the unexpected during this night of improv. This is the last show of the season for TriCity Improv that will include fast-paced short-form comedy with lots of audience participation. Tickets are required.
Swing Into Spring Dance
Saturday 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
New Hamburg Community Centre
The KW Kool Big Band will bring the music, those attending should bring their dancing shoes and energy for a fun evening. Tickets are required and will benefit the New Hamburg Community band.
Bonus: New Dundee fireworks
Sunday 4:30 p.m. to after dusk
New Dundee Community Centre
This family-friendly event gets underway with food trucks, vendors, a midway, music and a beer tent. Children's entertainer Erick Traplin takes the stage at 5 p.m. The Nick Vokey Band takes over at 6:30 p.m. then Max Smith plays from 8 p.m. until the fireworks, which will take place after dusk (approximately 9:20 p.m.).
Smith will be back on the stage for a post-fireworks encore until 10:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate is the producer for CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. She has been covering issues in southern Ontario for more than 20 years. Reach her by email: kate.bueckert@cbc.ca.