Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: May 24 to 26
There may be a little rain this weekend, but otherwise it looks like it will be warm and sunny and a great time to get out into the region.
It's Public Works Week which means many local municipalities will be opening their doors on Saturday for people to check out how their pubic works works. In Guelph people can talk to staff about roads, sidewalks and parks or ride a new electric bus. In Waterloo, there will be equipment rides on dump trucks and excavators, free helmet fittings and a charity barbecue. In Cambridge, the Bishop Street operations centre will be open for tours.
On Saturday, regional paramedics are also hosting an open house at its north headquarters at 1001A Erbs Rd. in Waterloo and people can take tours and check out some demonstrations. That event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fergus Fibre Festival is on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in downtown Fergus. There are many exhibits and vendors including sheep and shawl spinning, supplies for knitting or crocheting, Angora rabbits and, because it's Fergus, a performance by the pipe band.
WEFT Fest (Woolwich Expressions in Fibre Traditions) is on for a second weekend, too.
The Homer Watson Gallery is holding a clothesline art sale on Saturday, with a goal of making art more accessible to people with a wide range of pieces and prices.
Girls Can Fly is being held at the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre at the Region of Waterloo International Airport Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a free event and registration is not required. There will be airplane displays, interactive activities and and flight simulators.
Spring Rural Romp is on Saturday in Wellington County where people can stop by local farms, greenhouses and food destinations as part of a self-guided tour.
And the Idea Exchange in Preston is holding a planting day extravaganza on Saturday, too.
For local baseball, the Guelph Royals host the London Majors Saturday afternoon while the Kitchener Panthers host the Brantford Red Sox Sunday afternoon.
Also, keep an eye on the K-W Titans! If they need to go to Game 5 in their series against the London Lightning in the Super Basketball League finals, it'll be at The Aud Sunday afternoon.
If you're driving, here are some local gas prices:
Special Olympics provincial spring games
Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Various venues around Waterloo region
Spend some time cheering on the athletes taking part in the Special Olympics provincial spring games this weekend.
There are five sports: basketball, bowling, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics and swimming and the events are being held at venues throughout the region.
The closing ceremonies are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, and people can watch that online if they're not able to attend in person. The ceremonies are not ticketed events and people are welcome to attend.
Welcomefest / Palette x Palate
Friday 5 p.m. to 10:45 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown Kitchener
This is a new event for the city and it's meant to get people downtown.
On Friday, there will be live music, a keg tapping event with the folks from K-W Oktoberfest, a subsequent licensed bar area where Chef D will be making food.
On Saturday, the Downtown Kitchener BIA is hosting Palette x Palate, which is celebrating art, food and patios. There will be live sidewalk murals along King Street and live paintings happening at various locations. There's also live music at different venues and wandering entertainment including fire juggling, stilt walkers and balloon artists.
Take in interactive activities like clay or face painting or visit the pop-up art market in Vogelsang Green.
K-W Bookfest
Saturday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Waterloo Public Square
If you need a new summer book or two (or 10), this is a great place to start your search. More than 60 local authors will be on hand for this event.
There will be author signings and family story hour starting at 2 p.m. The event is put on by the Grand River Writers and K-W Writers Alliance.
Hohner Ave. Porch Party
Saturday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hohner Avenue, Kitchener
Porch party season is getting underway and this neighbourhood music festival is a free event where you get to walk through the community, sit on front lawns and enjoy local music.
Some of the bands playing this weekend include Folklore Junction, Eric Jackson and The Willow River Band, Onion Honey, The MacQueens and Steve Breen and the Woolwich Three.
There will also be food trucks in the area so you can picnic while you listen to the music.
Re:Purpose Fest
Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Old Quebec Street Shoppes, Guelph
This event by the Guelph Tool Library will help something old become new again. The idea is for attendees to recycle items that might normally end up in the landfill. It includes local groups that are accepting donations of items, including bicycles, art supplies, coffee bags, comic books, sewing machines, wine corks, tools and so much more.
The event will also include some vendors who make upcycled items.
