Nomad's Top Ten 2009 Festival Highlights

All of the festivals and events that Judi and I have visited this year have been excellent, but there are a few that have really stood out. The following is our 2009 Top Ten Festiavl Highlight list.
1. FESTIVAL OF TEXTILES AT LANG PIONEER VILLAGE – This past year Judi and I were invited to visit the new Festival of Textiles and to participate in the textile fashion show. Judi and both enjoyed “dressing up” and meeting so many wonderful people!
2. CANAL, RAILWAY AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL – This event takes place annually in the charming town of Smiths Falls. Judi and I were invited to “re-visit” the festival by festival chair, Jim McPherson. At the festival we were treated to a Voyageur Canoe trip up the Rideau Canal into the Smith Falls’ “Swale”. This was a wonderful opportunity to visit and enjoy Smiths Falls’ conservation area. This amazing area is home to many unique animals, fish and flowers. We also attended the Festival’s opening ceremonies and were presented with a commemorative print. The event was further highlighted when Judi and I, along with Deputy Minister, Jim Brownell, M.P.P., judged the “Chocolate” contest! A fitting end to a terrific day!
3. ST. LAWRENCE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL – In July we had the pleasure to travel to Prescott for the opening of the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival. The opening play they were presenting was Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”. This was our first visit to Prescott and their Shakespeare Festival. Not only was the play wonderful, so was our reception by the people of Prescott! Fate seated us directly in front of Prescott’s Mayor, Suzanne Dodge. After Judi and I found out that the Mayor was seated behind us, we introduced ourselves. From then on we were treated like “long lost friends”! After the play the Mayor insisted that we come to the Opening Night Gala! We did, and had a great time. It's Prescott’s bi-centennial in 2010 and the town has plans for many bi-centennial celebrations. I know that Judi and I will go back to help our “friends” celebrate!
4. ILLUMINAQUA – Every second Friday the City of Welland hosts a concert at their new amphitheatre in Merritt Park. This new facility is absolutely amazing as was the opening night of IlluminAqua! The theme of the concert series is FIRE-MUSIC-WATER and the festival followed the theme in “spades”! Flames from the floating “fire pits” glistened and danced on the rippling waters of the old Welland Canal while the “Destino Tenors” entertained an enthusiastic audience! This was definitely a “night to remember”!
5. WASAGA UNDER SIEGE – If you enjoy historic battle re-enactment (which Judi and I do), Wasaga Beach was the place to be during the Wasaga Under Siege re-enactment. The re-enactment included both a naval battle and a land battle, each depicting the challenges of war. After the battles were over, we all marched to the Nancy Island Historic Site where battle participants had set up their re-enactment encampment.
6. NORWOOD FALL FAIR – I’m not sure why I was so surprised, but I was, pleasantly! The Norwood Fall Fair gets top marks! I guess I should have known the event would be great when I visited their website. It was very informative and well designed. The fair grounds and events were even better! Judi and I really enjoyed our visit to Norwood. For anyone who likes to visit fall fairs, Norwood is a “must see”!
7. FORT FRIGHT – In late fall Fort Henry in Kingston transforms itself into “Fort Fright” and frightening it is! So much so that Judi refused to go with me. That was okay because I invited my son-in-law, Eddy, who loves to be “frightened”! The “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is his favourite movie! Our first “adventure” was the famous “ghost walk” tour. Here we learned of the many “ghostly” sightings that have been experienced over the years! After the ghost walk we ventured down to the lower fort where all of the “frightening” activities were taking place. The whole lower fort had been “transformed”! Eddy and I explored each of the rooms and walkways and enjoyed the “frightening” displays and performances! Eddy was in his element and, judging by the amount and volume of screams around us, I would say so were many other visitors!
8. BOBCAYGEON WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – The Kawartha Settlers Village hosts the Bobcaygeon Wine & Food Festival each year. This year’s event was of particular interest to Judi and I because of their featured chef, Chef Corbin Tomaszeski. We had seen the Chef several times on the TV show, Restaurant Makeover and had even seen him live at the Norfolk County Fair, so we knew what to expect and we certainly were not disappointed with his performance in Bobcaygeon! As an added bonus for Judi, she met her new “BFF”, retired CTV weatherman, Dave Devall. Dave was at the festival acting as MC for the festival’s events. Judi, who has admired Dave for some time, quickly introduced herself and then proceeded to have several photos taken with him! Yes, I was the unwitting photographer!
9. FANSHAWE PIONEER VILLAGE – We had traveled to the village for their Harvest Festival and as a result experienced one of the best pioneer villages we had ever visited! Not only were the village and its buildings very interesting, but the village interpreters were exceptional! They were both knowledgeable and enthusiastic! When I expressed an interest in the farm animals to one of the interpreters, she immediately asked if I would like a personal tour of the barn where the animals were housed. This was a special treat because she was not specifically assigned to the barnyard area. Dressed in her period costume she led me back to the barn area to show me the “restricted” inside. The pride that she showed in her knowledge of the animals was catching. As we walk back to her village “station” she explained to me that the village management had entrusted her with the feeding of the livestock! Fanshawe’s attention to detail was very interesting. Even their “modern day” conveniences, “wheelchair ramps” and “recycling containers” blended in with period construction of the buildings!
10. WARKWORTH CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS – The Warkworth Canada Day Celebrations were held in Warkworth’s local park. When we arrived it seemed like the whole town was there preparing for the day’s events! They had gathered together and were offering park visitors everything from games to cake and popcorn to concerts! There was so much to do and to eat and, it was all FREE! Our thanks go out to the residents of Warkworth who truly know how to celebrate the spirit of Canada and its birthday!

Nomad’s Top Ten Festival Tips

Over the years Judi and I have discovered a number of festival tips. Many of these have been learned through the “School of Hard Knocks”! Although I have mentioned a number of these in various articles, I thought I would present them again in this “Top Ten” list.
1. CHECK THE FESTIVAL’S WEBSITE – Most festivals and events now maintain a website. If you are planning on visiting a festival or event, this is the best place to start. On the festival’s website you should be able to find out important information such as festival dates and times, exact location, costs and activities.
2. PRE-PLAN YOUR ROUTE – Nothing can be more frustrating then getting held up on the highway because of a traffic jam! Having an alternative route plan can help eliminate or minimize “traffic frustration”. The “Google Map” is the festival visitors’ best friend. Judi and I use it all the time. By using their “Get Directions” (Link to Get Directions) feature, you can find and print plenty of alternative routes. And, who knows, the alternative route will likely be a lot more adventuresome and fun then the direct route!
3. DEVELOP A CHECKLIST – Having a festival/event checklist can make visiting an event more enjoyable, especially if the visit includes children! Forgetting something important can be quite bothersome, if not downright annoying! No-one likes to have to turn back the retrieve an important item! Planning what you need, in advance, cuts down the chance of this happening. Once you have created your initial list, you can use it for all the festivals and events you plan to visit!
4. BRING A FRIEND - If you enjoy visiting festivals and events as much as Judi and I do, you’ll likely want to share the experience with your family and friends! When you are deciding what festival or event you plan to visit, ask around to see who else would like to go with you. If not your family or friends, consider asking a “senior” to go with you. “Spread the festival joy and fun!”
5. PACK A PICNIC LUNCH – Not all festivals and events have a wide selection of nutritious food. If you are concerned about this, pack a picnic lunch. This way you can choose food that is appealing to the whole family and you’ll likely save a little money in the process! As Judi keeps reminding me, “Don’t forget the sanitary wipes to clean your hands!”
6. WATER – It is very important to bring water with you. Not all events have water available. This is particularly important in the hot summer months! Without enough water in your system, you can easily become dehydrated quickly! Using a refillable water bottle is best, especially for the environment!
7. TAKE A PICTURE OR FIVE – Capturing the memories of a great event is so easy and inexpensive these days because of digital cameras! You no longer have to worry about wasting “film”! A word of caution, though, make sure you have enough memory space on your “Memory Card” and that you have an extra set of batteries.
8. CLOTHING – Always plan your clothing for the event you are visiting! This goes for both clothing and footwear. If it’s a summer event, remember to bring a hat and sun block. If it’s the winter, "layer" your clothing so that you can “strip” down or up depending on how hot or cold you feel! As for footwear, make sure you wear your most comfortable walking shoes or boots.
9. BRING CASH – Many festivals and events only accept cash for their admittance fee. The same goes for food booths amusement rides and parking. Make sure you bring enough cash to cover all contingencies! Some festivals and events do offer ATM machines, but most don’t.
10. WASHROOMS – If you are like some of us (me), knowing the location of event washrooms is a must! Some events mark the location of their washrooms on their program and that’s great! However, you can’t always count on that convenience, so make sure you ask festival staff where they are located. If that’s not possible you might want to reconnoiter the grounds while you still can!

P.S. Let us know if you have any "Festival Tips" you'd like to share.

The Great Ontario Communities Series (Campbellford)

During the past few years Judi and I have visited almost 150 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The fifth article will be about Campbellford, located along the banks of the Trent River.
CAMPBELLFORD – Fortunately for Judi and me, Campbellford is only an hour’s drive away! This is one of the most picturesque towns along the Trent-Severn Waterway. As you enter Campbellford from the south on County Road 30, you encounter a long park strip that is nestled between the county road and the waterway. Follow the park (Old Mill Park) far enough and you come to the downtown area plus you will be greeted a giant replica of the Canadian “Toonie” (two dollar coin). Campbellford is the hometown of the Toonie’s creator, internationally collected artist, Brent Townsend. In the summer, the park is a beautiful place to stop and have a picnic lunch! Judi and I try to do this a least twice a year. As you can probably tell from my enthusiasm, Campbellford is a wonderful place to visit (and live)! There are lots of interesting shops in the downtown area including Bennett’s Furnishings and a “to die for” bakery! I can still feel the “sugar rush” from their decadent donuts! So far Judi and I have visited two of their annual events, the Polar Bear Plunge (January) and their Canada Day Celebrations (July 1). Other annual events include the Campbellford Bridal Fair (February), the Trillium Walk in Ferris Park (May), Chrome on the Canal (July), Campbellford BIA Waterfront Festival (July), Campbellford-Seymour Agricultural Fair (August), the Santa Claus Parade (November) and finally, the Showcase of Lights (December). Nearby, “must see” attractions include Westben Arts Festival Theatre and Ferris Provincial Park. Westben Arts Festival Theatre is renown for its “World Class Music and its Wide Open Countyside”. The following is an excerpt from their website. “Bringing culture and nature together in perfect harmony, the magnificent 400-seat timber-frame barn opens onto a lush meadow, surrounded by the gently rolling hills of Northumberland County.” and “The stage hosts an incredible array of renowned Canadian and international artists, from full symphony orchestras & choruses to chamber music and soloists.” Ferris Provincial Park is located just outside of Campbellford. It’s trails are open summer and winter. The 300 foot long suspension bridge, 30 feet over the Ranney Gorge, gives all its visitors an adventure to remember! So, whether it’s picnicking along the waterfront, shopping in the downtown or visiting on of the town’s terrific festivals or attractions, Campbellford is a “must” visit! To find out more about Campbellford, visit the BIA website at http://www.campbellfordbia.ca/.

Festival Correspondents WANTED

There are some 5,000 festival and events in Ontario. Judi and I have visited about 45 events per year over the last three years. While this is large number of events for us to cover, it’s not enough to satisfy our desire to cover and write about as many Ontario’s festivals and events as possible. That is why we have developed our “Festival Correspondents Program”. So now we are seeking individuals and couples to join our “Festival Correspondents Team”. “What’s involved”, you ask? It’s simple, all you have to do is to choose a festival or event you are interested in visiting and the let the “old” Festival Nomad (me) know which one you want to visit! Once you’ve made your choice, we will contact the event’s organizers and let them know that you are coming. Where possible we will arrange for media credentials. After you have finished your visit you will provide us with your report on the event plus any digital photos you have taken. Yes, we want digital photos to enhance the festival’s article and the more, the better. Judi and I usually take a hundred or so photos per event we visit. This allows us to choose the best photos possible. From there, Judi and I will do the rest. We will your publish your article (with photos) and you will get full credit! Your name “in lights” so to speak! You’ll be a “Festival Insider” with the opportunity to tell others about your festival experiences! It’s all fun and simple. Heck, we’ll even give you your own “Ontario Festivals Visited” baseball caps! If you’d like to find out more about joining our “Festival Correspondents Team”, call the Festival Nomad (Gary McWilliams) at 1-888-818-0255 or e-mail him at gary@ontariofestivalsvisited.ca.

Incredible Dad

A little while ago I discovered a great new website call “Incredible Dad”. It’s actually created and managed by a friend of mine. That’s my disclosure! However, it is so clever that I thought I would tell you about it. Although it doesn’t actually fall under the category of “festivals and events”, it does deal with kids and parenting, so what could be more “festivalish” (new word) then that? Okay that may be a bit of a stretch, but it’s still a great website and one that I think you should take a look at. This is especially true if you have children or grandchildren of your own. The “Incredible Dad” takes a common sense, fun approach in dealing with kids and their problems or, as my Dad use to say, their “challenges”! Take the Incredible Dad’s “Dad Tips” as an example. One of the “tips” is “Top Ways to Store Your Kid’s Art and the Funny Things They Say”. In this tip the Incredible Dad shows you how to easily store you kid’s arts and crafts plus he gives some great ideas on how to preserve some of the precious things your kid’s say! Another tip, “Top 5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat Broccoli” talks about fun ways to make the “challenges” of eating Broccoli “enjoyable”! Heck, I might even eat some Broccoli myself! The Incredible Dad’s range of topics include “Dad Tips”, “Fun Tips”, “Restaurant Reviews”, “Vacation Reviews”, “Activities Tips”, “Instant Expert” and “Book Reviews”. These are all from the perspective of kids! As I said, this is a new website, but one with huge potential. I think it could become the standard for “common sense and fun parenting”. Who knows, perhaps some day the Incredible Dad will take his kids to one of Ontario’s fabulous festivals or events and tell us all about it, from his kids’ point of view! Check out the Incredible Dad website at http://incredibledad.com/.