Exciting Events in Waterloo Region This Weekend

This weekend is packed with music and festivals around the area.

The Ontario Youth Choir will be performing in Guelph and Kitchener with their concert titled Identities – the stories we carry. The Guelph show is on Friday night, while the Kitchener show takes place Saturday at noon.

There’s an open house at the trial garden at the University of Guelph on Friday evening and throughout Saturday. Attendees can check out the plants in the garden and ask any questions about gardening and lawn care.

Although clouds are expected this weekend, if they clear up enough on Saturday night, the Conestogo Lake Star Party will go ahead. Astronomy volunteers from Kitchener-Waterloo will have telescopes set up to help everyone explore what’s visible in the night sky.

This Sunday evening, The Bopping Bearcats will perform in Rockway Gardens in Kitchener as part of their August concert series.

The University of Waterloo is hosting public readings of a new play called One And The Same about two 13-year-old Black boys who meet despite being born 150 years apart.

WATCH | Join a reading of the play One And The Same:

Waterloo audiences can help shape new Afro-futuristic play

Playwright and producer Emily Radcliffe invites everyone to attend public staged readings of her new play One And The Same this weekend at the University of Waterloo. It tells the story of two unlikely friends – 13-year-old boys born 150 years apart – giving audiences a chance to provide feedback that shapes the play. Radcliffe chatted with CBC K-W’s Carmen Groleau about these upcoming readings.

The Kitchener Panthers will be playing against Barrie on Saturday afternoon, then on Sunday, they’ll host Baycats for a game at 2 p. m.

The Guelph Royals are set to face off against Welland Jackfish on Saturday evening at 7 p. m., followed by another match against Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday at 4 p. m., which was postponed from June 20 during the first inning.

Sunday’s game also marks Senior’s Day featuring live music from 93-year-old Leonardo Vigna before game time. Vigna plays mandolin, harmonica, and foot drum; he’ll perform in the beer garden starting at 3 p. m.

Kitchener Blues Festival

Friday from 3 p. m. until late, Saturday from noon until late, Sunday from 10 a. m. to 8:30 p. m.

Downtown Kitchener

If you’ve been feeling down this summer, then you’ll find your groove here at this annual festival.

With four stages filled with performances from musicians like Shawn Holt and the Teardrops, Easy Street Blues Band, Alice Armstrong, Matt Weidinger, Erick Traplin, John Nemeth, The Sugar Darlings, King King, Romeo Sex Fighter, Caravan of Soul among many others.

A gospel breakfast returns Sunday morning; afterward head over to downtown Kitchener bars and restaurants for some after shows during their “12 Bar Blues” event.

<p And guess what? It's all free!

WATCH | What to expect this year at the Kitchener Blues Festival:

Get ready to travel the nation at this year’s Kitchener Blues Festival

Kitchener’s Blues Fest is back for its 26th year offering four full days of music downtown. Festival president Peter Beacock notes that this year’s lineup is more inclusive than ever with over 35 performers from across Canada participating. He spoke with CBC K-W’s Carmen Groleau about what attendees can anticipate this year.

Guelph Fringe Festival

Friday from 6:30 p. m. to 10 p. m., Saturday from 1 p. m. to 10 p. m., Sunday from 1 p. m. to 5 p. m.

Guelph Arts Council, Red Brick Cafe, Art Not Shame, Riverside Park</P

This festival highlights smaller productions set in cozy venues providing unique experiences for audiences.</P

A few examples include:

The Drake Equation which explores artists who pass away mid-project. The Curse of Girl Night features sketch comedy highlighting unfortunate mishaps faced by stand-up comedians cursed somehow paradise On Earth presents an environmental musical comedy centered around one family grappling with climate change.

There are also Fireflies shows tailored for kids including Rabbit and Bear Paws puppet theatre along with Carousel Players hosting workshops within Riverside Park.

Cambridge Ribfest and Craft Beer Show

</P

PFriday runs from four till ten pm; Saturday goes noon till ten pm while Sunday wraps upatseven pm.
</P

This event serves up smoked meats plus craft beers, ciders, and cocktails alongside live entertainment!
</P

A kid-friendly section awaits guests too including performances by bands like The Flamingos, Electric Crush, and The Hot Karls!

Critter Fest

</P

Saturdays hours extendfromten am tillfour pm!
</P

Taking placeat Woolwich Memorial Centrein Elmira, this petand plant expo brings vendors educational activities, and fun family-friendly attractions together suchas reptiles, a photo booth for pets face painting, gamesand prizes. Dogsare welcome provided owners signawaver !

K-W Night Market: Cryptidsand Curios

</P

This eveningmarket runson both Fridaysaturdaysbetween fivepmto tenpm!
</ P

The venue located atthe Gaukel Blockindowntown Kitcheneris curatedby local artist My Pet Skeletonfeaturingover fifty artistsand makersdisplayingtheir workinsideand outside!
</ P

The artworksare describedasa “bazaarof beautifully strange.”<HII Drayton Mapleton Fair<PI Friday kicks offwithhoursfromfive pmto eight , followedby Saturdays hoursrunning730amto9pmandsundays hoursendingaround230.
At Drayton Fairgroundsat49 Elm Stin Draytonthe localagricultural fairseasonbeginsstartingwithlocal trucksandtractorpullsfor Fridaysactivitieswhile Saturdaysofferslivestockshows, kiddietractor pulls, a watermelon eatingcontest, birdsof preyshows, line dancingplusmore. Sunday beginswithbreakfastbefore wrappingupwithdemolition derbyalongsidean open exhibit hallhighlightinglocally grownvegetables art etc…Sidenote: I couldn’tpossiblyforgetto mentionthatit wouldbeunfairasaforamemberofthe Hanover, Bentick&Brant Agricultural Societyif Ididn’tbringupthisweekend’s Hanover Fairtoo-it mayrequireadrivebutit’sstilla greatwaytospendtheweekend.Fridays’events include Cornfest followedby Saturdaystraditionalfairsuchaslivestockdisplays, craftexhibitions, kidfriendlyareas tug-of-war eventspluslive musicattendingevenings. Sundayswillalsooffermoreactivitiesalongside variousdemonstrationsincludingheavy horsepulls!Highland dancecompetitions shall featurethisweekendinthewonderful Fergus Scottish Festival (Kate Bueckert/CBC)<HII Fergus Scottish Festival<PI Fridaygoes5pmtil late ; Saturdayschedule startsat8amuntillate &finaleonthe Sundaysetfrom8amtill530 PM.! At Centre Wellington Sportsplexlocatedat550Belsyde Ave. Ein Fergus, thisannualcelebrationincludespipe&drumhighlanddancingcompetitions whereyoucanlearnabout Scottishheritageviaeducationalbooths available. Awhiskey village offers tastingsamongothervendorsprovidingvariousitemsforsale. Mc Kiddiesdesignedspecificallyforkidsfeaturesgames, dress-upactivitiesfoampa cabertoss whiletheheavy competitions showcasehammerthrowsor tossingcaber contests yearly specialguest joins festival festivities-Thisyear it’s John Bellknownforplaying Ian Murrayon Outlanderwhohasalsostarsin Battleship, Wrathofthe Titans alongwith The Hobbit.

Source link