Weinerfest is this weekend (June 24) in Embro
Colin James will be in Woodstock for a free Cowapolooza concert
By
Mark Schadenberg
Rain
. . . rain . . . go away.
That
was a cliché echoed several times last August in Southside Park when a free
community concert by Canadian music icon Colin James was cancelled as part of
the Saturday schedule of Cowapolooza in Woodstock.
Great
news !!
The
refrain “Colin James please please return” was heard.
On
August 19, Colin James will make an encore appearance in the Friendly City and
this time he will perform on the so-called toboggan hill in Southside Park – a
natural amphitheatre – a terrific venue for an outdoor concert as music lovers
bring their lawn chairs and their enthusiasm.
Tim
Tyler will be the opening act for James.
Cowapolooza
this year also includes The McCartney Years and The Mudmen on the Friday night
for a free show. The family activities are numerous, including a petting zoo,
children’s midway rides, crafting alley, skateboard competition, soapbox derby,
pony rides, strongman and strongwoman competition, cow milking, and naturally
the Lions Club of Woodstock beer garden.
MORE
SUMMER FESTIVALS
June
23-24
Canadian
Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum in St Marys inducts Roy Halliday and
Vladimir Guerrero, plus the Team Canada 2015 gold team from the Pan-Am Games
into the national baseball shrine. The ceremony is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June
24.
Attend
this venue in the summer of 2017 if you have never been there as the Canadian
ball museum recognizes the first recorded game in Beachville, honours the
Woodstock Wonder James ‘Tip’ O’Neill and Ingersoll’s Oscar ‘Lefty’ Judd.
June
24
Dog
lovers will flock to Embro for the annual Weinerfest Home County Festival at
the Embro community centre / arena.
Cynder
The Chaotic Dachshund is apparently the star of the show. This one-day
one-breed party is more than just a dog show.
July
1
Southside
Park in Woodstock is a great place to enjoy the fireworks at dusk. Midway rides
for the kids and lots of entertainment on stage too. Since Toyota is the annual
sponsor of the fireworks show, this is truly one of the better light shows you
will see anywhere in Ontario.
July
1
You
loved Embro for the dogs on June 24 and you will return for the annual Highland
Games on Canada Day at the same venue. The Highland Games is also a 1-day
festival to honour everything from Scotland – Highland dancing competitions,
tug-of-war, marching band tattoo, bagpipes, tartans, crafts, sheep herding, Celtic
music traditional strength competitions such as the caber toss and hammer
throw, and of course more bagpipes.
The
day begins at with the younger children’s divisions in Highland Dancing along
with a running road race (10 km) at 9 a.m.
July
1 - 2
Trackside
Music Festival is all about country music at the Western Fair District in
London.
An
impressive roster will be performing
July
1 – Thomas Rhett, Dallas Smith, Aaron Pritchett and others including London’s
rising star Genevieve Fisher
July
2 – Brett Kissel, Meghan Patrick, Brothers Osbourne, River Town Saints and
others
July
7 – 9
Ingersoll’s
Yvonne Mott Memorial Park is the place to be for three days of live free music
featuring folk and other genres, including Ian Thomas, Lennie Gallant, Valdy,
Gary Fjellgaard, Red Moon Road, Tia McGraff and Coig.
The
festival includes Friday pig roast, music workshops on the Saturday, community
breakfast on the Saturday, plus vendors and crafts in the park, a food court
area, and best of all is their zero waste program as all plates and cutlery are
washed and re-used.
July
12 - 16
London’s
Rock The Park Music Festival is certainly not only rock music as the Wednesday,
July 12 headlining act is Lady Antebellum. Kelsey Ballerina is also on stage on
the opening night.
On
Thursday, July 13th it’s Wiz Khalifa.
The
July 14 schedule includes All For One, Naughty By Nature, Salt N
Pepa, Colour Me Badd, and Vanilla Ice.
On
July 15, the stage features The Offspring.
The fifth day is Sunday March 16 and includes Canadian
sensation Alessia Cara, along with Marianas Trench, Scott Helman and Ruth B.
Proceeds
from this annual concert series go to Make-A-Wish, Big Brothers / Big Sisters,
the Brand Prust Foundation, and Western Mustangs football. The event has raised
over $2.7 million in its 15 years.
July
14 – 16
Hillside
Summer Festival is slated for Guelph with a huge roster of performers so be
sure to memorize their website and where each performer will appear as they
have four stages.
The
long list of performers includes Sarah Harmer, Billy Bragg, Kacy And Clayton,
Jenny Ritter, Begonia, and Kevin Breit.
July
21 – 23.
If
jazz is your favourite music genre, plan to attend the UpTown Waterloo Jazz
Festival. It should be a great weekend as it’s their 25th
anniversary season and Matt Dusk is scheduled to perform on Saturday, July 22
at 9 p.m.
Their
website notes the full lineup and stage times.
August
4 – 6
The
Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music doesn’t include the locale in its
name, but this weekend is in Cambridge
The
festival is in the Galt district of Cambridge and includes music and dance.
Free admission for this festival which began in 1993.
August
10-13
The
Woodstock BIA hosts its annual 4-day Summer Streetfest in Downtown Woodstock
with historic Museum Square as its backdrop. The Thursday to Saturday days are
sidewalk sales days for local merchants, but there are three stages of live
free music. Watch the BIA website noted here for details on performers for 2017
as the roster will include more than 30 singers / musicians. It can be said
that Rik Emmett of Triumph will be on the main stage at 7 p.m. on Thursday,
Aug. 10.
On
Sunday, Aug. 13 the main street of the city – Dundas Street – is transformed
into a giant car show called Streetfest Cruise (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and it
features all makes and models. Bring your appetite for the beef bbq.
August
10 - 12
The
Stanley Cup will be in Tillsonburg.
Many
hockey fans know that the NHL’s director of hockey operations and executive
vice president Colin Campbell is from Tillsonburg, so with his assistance and a
great committee in Tillsonburg there will be a 3-day summer hockey festival
called NHL Fan Centennial Arena.
Memorabilia
from the Hockey Hall of Fame will be displayed at the community centre, including
a 52-foot truck with trophies, historic jerseys, vintage equipment and so much
more.
Thursday,
August 10, Hockey Night in Tillsonburg Gala Event, 5 pm - 1 am will
feature Ron McLean as guest speaker.
Ron McLean
August
24 – 27
The
annual Woodstock Fair is a great way to end summer before kids return to
school.
The
Woodstock Fairgrounds is the venue and the midway, grandstand entertainment and
Old MacDonald’s Farm are key attractions.
There
are cattle competitions, plus prizes for quilting, crafts, horticulture and
baking.
With
Canada celebrating 150 years and the fair celebrating a remarkable 181 years,
be sure to check out their advertising and marketing about free admission to
the fair. Farm Fun is the theme for 2017.
August
25 - 27
London
Bluesfest is in Harris Park along the Thames River and near the downtown core.
Bluesfest
this year is highlighted by three distinct schedules.
August
25 – Wallflowers, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Rick Derringer.
August
26 – Burton Cummings, Robert Cray, Molly Hatchet, and guitarist Scott Holt.
August
27 – Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Bobby Kimball (Toto), John Payne (Asia), Pat
Travers, and legendary Canadian guitarist and Londoner Bill Durst.
Burton Cummings
LINKS:
www.cowapolooza.com
www.cowapolooza.com
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Information compiled by:
