Tap Dogs at the King's Wharf - Penetanquishene, Ontario 2010

If you love dance and the performing arts then join in and watch as the world reknowned male dancers known as Tap Dogs put their twist on tap dancing. Get your denim and exit cottage country (stage left) over to Penetanquishene. Shake it up with Dein Perry's Tap Dogs, this talented group of guys have reinvented the dance form and would love to entertain you with their rendition.

Dein Perry's Tap Dogs: The Reinvention of Tap Dancing
Live Theatre Performance at the King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, Ontario.



Yes, it does cost money but, for a unique live performance, it just may be worth while!

Regular Performance $39
Previews $33
18 & Under $20
Groups of 20 or more $33.

Live Performances until September 2010!!

Phone# 705-549-5555 or Toll Free 1-888-449-4463
Website: http://www.draytonentertainment.com/

Skip the Room Service & go Camping at Awenda one of Ontario's Provincial Parks

I love to get outdoors and go camping with family and friends. There's something about transporting tonnes of gear to the boonies just to enjoy fresh air and a roaring campfire that makes me smile! Depending on who's included, a camping excursion could range from roughing it with no amenties to deluxe with bathrooms and power. For the most part I prefer to rough it yet with little kids in tow this isn't the easiest task nor always the sanest option ;)

When our kids were younger we made a point of taking one whole summer to visit all of the provincial campgrounds within a two hour radius. We had such an amazing summer with a few camping mini drama's on the side but that's par for the course anytime one attempts to escape 'reality'.

If you haven't already discovered Ontario Provincial Parks has a website where you can view every campground within the province. You can then make online reservations in advance which is incredibly helpful. It's easy to do and sometimes the only chance you may have of securing a spot! Check out the birds eye view of each campground ie; the washrooms, playgrounds, water, garbage, firewood, parking, beaches etc. then pick your ideal spot according to your needs.

The first camping spot we chose was Awenda Provincial Park located in Pentetanguishene, Ontario. With camping gear in check we headed off to nature's paradise... the shores of Georgian Bay overlooking the island known as Giant's Tomb!

Awenda was beautiful and I felt as though I had been transported back to British Columbia (where I'm from). The forest cover was incredibly lush, thick and green and the hills well, that leads me to a little story FYI...

Once settled we figured we'd head down to the water and be back up by dark. So, off we went and went ...it was the longest 'shortcut' we'd been on in awhile, or so we thought ;) Georgian Bay was stunning and the beach was perfect as you can see below our feet. But, downhill there means up hill to get back! Only this time we took the road...the second longest 'shortcut'! ...about 2 hours later we finally reached our campsite, the kids went to bed without a second thought and we hit the cooler for bevies and munchies. That's when we discovered our gigantic bag of M&M's (cracked open earlier and not put away) was now empty and jammed in to the bushes. Hmm, sneaky racoons! Beside's a few silly oversights on our part Awenda was a gorgeous place to camp and I'd recommend it to all nature lovers.

General camping tips...

- Read the map (more accurately than we did ;) or take the car first!
- Do bring enough water to accommodate little 'shortcuts'
- Don't leave food out for the critters, oops!
- Dress appropriately, it can get cool once the sun drops.

While camping at Awenda we did find Poison Ivy within the dry, grassy sand dune areas down at the beach. Stay on the trails or on the sand, don't wander into the bushes or off the beaten path.


Awenda Provincial Park
Phone # 705-549-2231
Penetanguishene, Ontario

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.

Cottage Country's Winter Festivals & Carnivals

Tis' the Season for Outdoor Fun & Frolic!

Winter Festivals & Carnivals within Cottage Country

What an amazing time of year to spend with family, friends and other members of your community or surrounding area, as opposed to hibernating all winter long! Join families across cottage country who are celebrating the 2010 winter season with pond hockey, polar bear dips, ice sculptures and mazes, slide, dog sled races, ice skating, toboganning, hot chocolate, warm fires and refreshments! Check  specific carnivals or festivals if you are searching for a particular event, every community is unique.  

Midland’s Winterfest

Friday, February 5th 2010 - Sunday, February 7th 2010
Visit Tay Township for more information.



Barrie's Winterfest & Festival of Ice

Saturday, February 6th 2010 - Sunday, February 7th 2010
Downtown Barrie - Heritage Park & Memorial Square
Heritage Park & other Downtown Locations
Visit City of Barrie for more information.



Beaverton Lion's Winter Carnival

Saturday, February 6th 2010
Downtown at the Town Hall & other Downtown Locations
Visit Beaverton and Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.


 
Orillia Winter Carnival

Friday, February 12th 2010 - Sunday, February 14th 2010
Downtown Orillia at Couchiching Park
Visit Orillia Winter Carnival or here for more information. 


 
Victoria Harbour & Tay Township's Frosty Frolics

Friday, February 12th 2010 - Sunday, February 14th 2010
Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, Wye Marsh, Oakwood
Visit Tay Township for more information.



Penetanguishene Winterama

Friday, February 19th 2010 - Sunday, February 21st 2010
Downtown and other locations within the community.
Visit Town of Penetanguishene for more information.



Gravenhurst Winter Carnival

Thursday, March 4th 2010 - Sunday, March 7th 2010
Downtown and other locations within the community.

Visit the Town of Gravenhurst for more information.