Kate's 5 fun things to do this weekend in and around Waterloo region: Sept. 27 to 29
It's the last weekend of September but rather than things slowing to a crawl in fall, it seems like the weekends are getting busier.
Black and Rural, a theatrical production telling the stories of Black Canadians, is on stage at the Registry Theatre in Kitchener this weekend.
If you've ever wanted to have ice cream for breakfast, this is the best weekend to do it. Madison Letizi, a Grade 12 student at Grand River Collegiate in Kitchener, is hosting her annual fundraiser for Make-A-Wish at the Stanley Park Community Centre. The teen has a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and received a wish trip in 2015. This is her way of giving back to the program.
At the Jane Bond Cafe on Saturday, there's a K-W Surf Rock Show with the Saskatones and Gemini Cobra Relic Bazaar. It's an early show at 2 p.m. and good for all ages.
There's an orchid show and sale at the Cambridge Hespeler Arena on Saturday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
The Fall Rural Romp is on Saturday at farmers and food markets in Guelph and Wellington County. This is a self-guided tour with special events at some of the stops. As well, Gluten Free Fest is being held Sunday at Bingemans.
The Mabon Market will run Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Wooly in Guelph, with 20 vendors and live music.
Art in the Open takes place Sunday in Cambridge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists will be capturing downtown Cambridge and then the artwork will be displayed in local businesses.
People can also tour the Elmira Nature Reserve Saturday afternoon as part of a special hike with Nature Guelph Wildflower Society and Mark Swartz from Trees for Woolwich. Wear appropriate footwear.
For those who enjoyed being really, really scared, Screampark opens at Bingemans Friday night. This year's horror experience includes delightfully terrifying areas like Gateway to Hell, The Slaughter Shed and The Blood Bar.
Regular season hockey gets underway this week. The Kitchener Rangers host the Erie Otters Friday night at The Aud, then will head to Windsor for a Saturday night game.
The Guelph Storm will face off against the Owen Sound Attack Friday night at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, then will head north to Owen Sound for a game Saturday night.
If you're driving this weekend, here are some local gas prices:
Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival
Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Village of Wellesley
The morning kicks off with a pancake and sausage breakfast and the tasty treats continue throughout the day. There are so many apple and apple butter treats for sale along the Queens Bush Road street mall, including fritters, pies and tarts, plus pickles on a stick, schnitzel and sausage on a bun and baked goods.
There's an antique car and tractor show, craft market, horseshoe tournament, cider sampling, dairy farm tour and live entertainment throughout the day.
Preston Lantern Project
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Central Park, Cambridge
This is a collaborative community art project as part of Culture Days where people were asked to create lanterns at various workshops. It included at the farmer's market, schools and assisted living facilities. Each lantern is shaped like a small house or local landmark.
The lanterns will be lit and people can walk through them and see what others in the community have created.
The Preston Lantern Project features lanterns made by members of the community in the shape of small homes or landmarks. The community art project is part of Culture Days. (Preston Lantern Project/Facebook)
Bonus: More Culture Days
Culture Days is a provincewide celebration of arts, culture and heritage which will run to Oct. 13.
Other events this weekend include:
Gidinawendamin/Ska'nikú•lát annual Pow Wow
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
University of Waterloo, Columbia Icefields
In its 21st year, this free event is hosted by the Shatitsirótha' Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre and the University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations.
It will feature dancers, music, art, food and various vendors and it's open to the community.
Bonus: Two walks
There are two walks being held this weekend to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day, which is on Monday.
On Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Orange Shirt Day Pack Walk will take place at Huron Natural Area in Kitchener. This event is hosted by Dog Friendly K-W, and dogs are of course welcome but must be on a leash, and tickets are required, with proceeds going to the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.
Sunday in Guelph from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there's a self-guided one-hour walk at Riverside Park where people will follow a wooded trail and stop at reading stations. It's an event run by the True North Aid's Annual Reconciliation Walk.
First weekend of K-W Oktoberfest
Friday and Saturday
Bingemans, Concordia Club and The Canadian Brewhouse in Kitchener
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest celebrations get underway this weekend with music, hot sauce and, of course, beer.
Friday night at Bingemans Matthew Good and his band will perform at KoolHaus. Saturday night, it's Simple Plan at KoolHaus.
Goatfest, a hot sauce and craft beer festival, will be held Saturday at Concordia Club.
The Canadian Brewhouse will host a Haus Warming party Friday night with a keg tapping and live music.
Also keep an eye out for the Wunderwagen, which is a mobile stage that will set up around the community. Locations will be posted on the official K-W Oktoberfest Facebook and Instagram pages.
Bonus: Oktoberfest at Royal City Brewing in Guelph
The brewery is holding three-days of events. Friday night there's a stein-holding competition and pretzel eating contest. Saturday there will be live music. Both Friday and Saturday require tickets.
Sunday is family day and tickets are not required. This will include a climbing wall by the Guelph Grotto, bouncy castle and a science show by Orbax and Pepper.
Bonus: Punktoberfest
Short Finger Brewing Co. in Kitchener is holding Punktoberfest on Friday night with musician BA Johnston, along with Gourmet, Block Parent and Night Stocker.
Bike The Night
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (ride is at 8 p.m.)
Market Square, Guelph
The Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation wants people to go on an illuminated bike ride through the city. People can add lights to their bikes and/or outfits and join the ride at 8 p.m.
There will also be live music and prizes for the best illuminated bike and best costume.
Registration is required.
Note: The group has also planned a ghost bike ride starting at Guelph's city hall at 1 p.m. in memory of Susan Bard, who died earlier this month in a hit-and-run on Victoria Road.
