Highland Games 2010 - Bracebridge, Ontario

Join the clan in Bracebridge for the 2010 Highland Games and enjoy the Legion's Pipes and Drums, Highland dancers and all those super strong boys and girls in tartan kilts muscling heavy, over sized objects. There will also be Scottish tastings, product and food vendors, a parade and yes, a beer tent.

The hosting clan is the MacDougall's along with the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation Amateur Canadian Championship.



Bring your pets (on a leash) and the kids too of course (no leash required ;) If they are under 12, they're free so take advantage of all that action and hang out on Friday and Saturday.

Contact the games organizer with questions or visit their website (link posted above).

Father's Day Weekend 2010 - Cottage Country, Ontario

Father's Day Car Show

Visit downtown Bracebridge for their Father's Day Car Show and enjoy over 100 vehicles of special interest, great oldies music and food!

Sunday - June 20, 2010
Begins at 11:00 am - Until 4:00 pm

Bracebridge, Ontario
Downtown Bracebridge


Wild Wonders at Blue

Flight Shows with Free-Flying Birds of Prey by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy and The Reptile Rob Show featuring animals from around the world! They call it "Edutainment", which is my new word of the day ;) Take in all Blue Mountain has to offer while you're there like hiking, scavenger hunts, the splash fountain, shopping!...

Saturday, June 19th, 2010 & Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Canadian Raptor Conservancey Birds of Prey
Begins at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm

The Reptile Rob Show
Begins at 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm & 5:00 pm

Face Painting 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Collingwood, Ontario
Village at Blue Mountain
Phone# 705-445-0231
Village at Blue
 
Father's Day Captain's Feast n' Cruise
 
Dine on the largerst cruising boat within the Musoka named 'Lady Muskoka' who sits 300 passengers and has full facilities!
 
Bracebridge, Ontario
June 20, 2010
Begins at 12:00 Noon
 
Captain's Feast
Reserve your spot by calling... 
Phone# 705-646-2628 or
Phone# 800-263-5239

Or...

- go fishing for the afternoon and eat your catch!
- go for a hike, picnic, swim or all three at any one of Ontario's parks
- give him a foot massage, feed him grapes and just let him be (if, he deserves it ;)

Auto flea market, Medieval Fayre, Carden Nature Festival...events in cottage country, Ontario 2010!

Less that one month left then school is out for summer but, what's keeping you entertained this weekend? Of course, the weather is a huge dictator of plans around cottage country so lets hope for a weekend stunner!

If you haven't made plans to host a garage sale, roll around in poison ivy or stake out the G8 Summit, perhaps a visit to one of the following events may be of interest to you.

You could go to the...

28th Annual Spring Automotive Flea Market
This is a great event for classic car buffs but don't worry ladies, you'll find stuff to delve into as well ;) There's lots of parking, washrooms (+ porta potties), food & drink...it was smokin' hot outside the last time I went and finding shade to chillax in was a little tricky.


Burl's Creek
Oro, Ontario
Begins Thursday June 3, 2010 & ends Sunday June 6, 2010
Phone# 705-487-3663

Band Shell Concert Series
Monday & Thursday evenings there will be live outdoor performing arts, concerts & entertainment at the band shell! This is an all ages outdoor presentation that continues throughout the summer months. Free entertainment(but do accept donations) includes all types of live music such as country bands, folk groups with styles from rock n' roll to brass bands, dixie and blues... Be sure to pack (and bring ;) your own comforts like chairs, blankets, bug spray etc. even your pets are welcome!

Bracebridge, Ontario
Phone# 705-645-3037

Great Northern Medieval Fayre
Step back in time and visit one of Ontario's newest festivals! You don't need your Robin Hood tights for this event it's all about the spirit of medieval times. There will be jousting Knights & rustic Vikings, birds of prey, Merlin the Magician, numerous creative artisans, food & drink...

Great Northern Medieval Fayre
Begins Thursday June 3, 2010 and ends Sunday June 6, 2010
Adult - $16 Senior - $14 Kids - $10 (under 6 are free) Group rates are available.

Collingwood, Ontario
Great Northern Expo Grounds
Phone# 705-728-6218

Huron Carol Exhibit
Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons is a historic display and rendition for the upcoming season known as The Huron Carol Exhibit which depicts what is believed to be Canada's first Christmas carol. The exhibit celebrates the Huron Carol with a gallery of illustrations and paintings.


Begins Friday May 21, 2010 and ends Sunday October 10, 2010

Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
Midland, Ontario
Phone# 705-526-7838 Does have an entrance fee.

Carden Nature Festival
Make like a bird and fly over to Kirkfield in Carden for the Nature Festival this weekend! It's all about the birds and nature at it's finest with hikes and social group fun. There are itineraries for photographers, relaxers, general nature lovers, exercise lovers, botany lovers and one for Birders too!

Begins Friday June 3, 2010 and ends Sunday June 6, 2010
Phone# 705-326-1620 Does have an entrance fee.

Santa's Village - Bracebridge, Ontario ...see what Santa is doing in Muskoka this summer!

If you've got children who believe in Santa Claus or simply love to have fun you are going to love Santa's Village!! It's been known as one of central Ontario's most popular amusement parks for over 50 years. As a child growing up near Ottawa I clearly remember the family vacation that took us there and we've also taken our own kids as a flashback to the past!

Santa's Village now also has Sportsland and Eaglecrest Aerial Parks plus camping so you can stay n' play. Bracebridge, Ontario has been Santa's summer home and he greets children and their parents daily from June 21st straight through till Labour Day.

There are Fallow Deer, goats and sheep to interact with or ride Rudolf's Roller Coaster rider and Santa's train. You could take a cruise along the Muskoka River or even send the kids to Santa's Village Day Camp so they can play all day long (without you ;) Test your driving skills in the Sportsland Grand Prix go cart track, take a swing in the batting cage, play miniature golf or even laser tag.

Eaglecrest Aerial Park also provides "The Ultimate Treetop Adventure" for the whole family, teams, groups and corporate training. Travel within a canopy of majestic pines along the Muskoka River.

Phone # 705-645-2512

Home & Cottage Shows 2010 - Orillia, Wasage Beach, Bracebridge & Port Carling

The record breaking temperature we've been experiencing most certainly pulls people outdoors for both pleasure and yardwork. When one remains outdoors for any extended lengths they tend to visualize the upcoming season and what it will entail. Perhaps a manicured yard, lush gardens, a comfortable seating area with fireplace and perhaps a hot tub nearby surrounded by natural rocks and vegetation that sits just steps away from your lagoon shaped heated swimming pool. That's my vision, what's yours?

Wether you're a resident of cottage country or a seasonal cottager the search for garden and decor ideas for the upcoming spring and summer season is alive and in the hearts of men and women, just like me! So, if you like to play outside in style, lounge in luxury or pull up a stump and chill there may be something for you at one of the local home and cottage shows taking place within cottage country. Perhaps you are finishing an old project and need inspiration, beginning a new one or just wanting to get out and see what's new!


17th Annual Simcoe Spring Home & Cottage Show
Barnfield Point Recreation Centre
500 Atherly Road
Orillia, Ontario
Phone # 705-325-3089
Admission $3.00 per person. Children under 12 are Free

- Friday, April 9, 2010 - 5 pm until 9 pm
- Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 10 am until 5 pm
- Sunday, April 10, 2010 - 10 am until 4 pm


17th Annual Home and Garden Show hosted by Wasaga Beach Lions Club
Wasaga Beach Recplex
1724 Mosley Street
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Phone # 705-429-3331
Admission $2 per person. Children 12 and under are Free

- Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 10 am until 5 pm
- Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 10 am until 4 pm


19th Annual Muskoka Builders' Association's Home & Cottage Show 2010
Bracebridge Memorial Arena
169 James St.
Bracebridge, Ontario
Phone # 705-645-3008
http://www.muskokabuilders.com/
Admission is Free if you kindly donate to the Food Banks of Muskoka upon entry (cash or non-perishable food items please)

- Friday, April 23, 2010 - 2 pm until 9 pm
- Satuday, April 24, 2010 - 10 am until 5 pm
- Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 10 am until 4 pm


The Muskoka Lifestyle Show

Port Carling Community Arena
Port Carling, Onatrio
Phone # 705-687-0974
Admission is $3.00
- Friday, May 21, 2010 - 5 pm until 9 pm
- Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 10 am until 5 pm
- Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 10 am until 4 pm

List of Arena's within Cottage Country - Ice Skating and Hockey, Indoors and Out!

Memories of ice skating and playing hockey on the ice lingers in the minds of many Canadian's as hot summers morph into long, cold winters and then repeat year after year. Frozen lakes, ponds, canals, puddles and swamps soon become speckled with both young and old alike, all reaping the slippery rewards left by nature.

For those who aren't into shovelling off fresh snow or don't know someone who's already has ;) then you need to turn to other options. Either the local hockey arena or get creative and make your own ice rink at home using these instructions!



Hockey Arena's within Cottage Country


Orillia

Brian Orser Arena - Twin Lakes
433 Gill St.
Orillia, ON L3V4K7
Phone # 705-325-1414


Orillia Community Centre Arena
25 Brant St. W
Orillia, ON L3V3N6
Phone # 705-326-2380



Rama - Mnjikaning Arena Sports Complex


6145 Rama Rd.
Rama, ON L0K1T0
Phone # 705-325-3611 ext. 1403



Beaverton Community Centre

176 Main St. W
Beaverton, ON L0K1A0
Phone # 705-426-9838



Barrie Molson Centre
Home to the Barrie Colts

555 Bayview Dr.
Barrie, ON L4N9B4
Phone # 705-737-6851



Gravenhurst Centennial Centre

101 Centennial Dr.
Gravenhurst, ON P1P1S9
Phone # 705-687-6774

Gravenhurst is home to the world's largest pond hockey tournament!
 


Bracebridge Memorial Arena

169 James St.
Bracebridge, ON P1L1R6
Phone # 705-645-8888



Huntsville Centennial Centre

100 Park Dr.
Huntsville, ON P1H1A1
Phone # 705-789-6421

Huntsville is home to the world's largest pond hockey tournament!



Parry Sound

Bobby Orr Community Centre

7 Mary St.
Parry Sound, ON P2A1B4
Phone # 705-746-2701

 
Kinsmen Park Rink (outdoor rink)

Parry Sound Dr. & Hwy-69
Parry Sound, ON P2A1B4
Phone # 705-746-2101



Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre

61 Maria St.
Penetanguishene, ON L9M1A5
Phone # 705-549-8492


Wasaga Stars Arena

425 River Rd. W
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z2P1
Phone # 705-429-0412


Visit Arena Maps for an extensive list of all Ontario's hockey arena's.

Splendor of Muskoka - Ontario, Canada

Muskoka is another stunning,  year-round playground making it the ultimate travel destination. There are over 2,500 square miles of pine trees and maples, sparkling lakes, rivers and shoreline. Muskoka extends from Georgian Bay in the west, to the northern tip of Lake Couchiching in the south, to the western border of Algonquin Provincial Park in the east.

Located approximately two hours north of Toronto, Muskoka makes an ideal retreat location for those residing in or around the city. Cottage country, which the area has become known is home to well over a thousand lakes, picturesque villages, lakeside vacation hotels and resorts along with golf courses, country clubs, and marinas.

The regional government is located in Bracebridge and encompases Lake of Bays township, Georgian Bay township, Muskoka Lakes township and the towns of Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.

Muskoka has just over 50,000 permanent residents with over 100,000 additional seasonal property owners who spend their summers in the region every year not to metion daily visitors.

Many of the seasonal properties are large seasonal estates some of which have been passed down through families from generation to generation. Luxurious country living encompases the forests and shorelines of Muskoka including its three major lakes which are Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph. Seclusion and privacy is easily attainable which attracts some of Hollywood's  rich and famous who escape to relish in country living at its finest.

Camping, skiing, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking and canoeing are some of the many activities located in the region. Offering opportunities that stretch from the vast wilderness of Algonquin Park in the east to the rugged windswept shores of the Georgian Bay Islands. Of course fall is an amazing time to go for a scenic road trip to view nature's colours. A full bounty of reds, yellows and oranges dappled within forests of Canada's infamous Maple trees. Picturesque little towns are speckled along route through cottage country such as historic Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville who offer authentic, homespun hospitality. Be sure to visit the quaint little shops and boutiques along your journey and explore some of Ontario's finest artisans and artists who reside in the area.

Bracebridge - Chamber of Commerce
Huntsville - Chamber of Commerce