It’s hard to believe, but the Ontario Festival of Small Halls gets underway in less than a month!
We’re thrilled that it’s approaching so quickly. It seems that shows are selling out daily, with Winchester Old Town Hall’s show of Fred Penner with Teagan McLaren selling out this week alongside the DACA Community Centre’s show featuring Ashley MacIsaac with Change of Step. The show at the Tatlock Community Hall, welcoming Old Man Luedecke with Bill Connelly, also sold out online this week with just a handful of tickets available to purchase at The General Store in Clayton. If you have your eye on any other shows on the schedule, get your tickets in a jiffy before it’s too late!
The community events are now posted on our website here. Take a gander there to learn about what some of our small halls are offering in terms of events surrounding the shows. Some are hosting markets, community dinners, and even tapas for interested festival attendees. At its core, the Festival is about celebrating community. As such, FOSH encourages local hall boards, volunteers and organizations to team up and expand on the concert in an effort to further build community.
In that vein, the following are some local events happening this weekend in a few of our hosting communities.
The Pakenham Fair is set for Aug. 19 and is a traditional country fair that has been running for over 100 years! Set in beautiful downtown Pakenham, it’s a day of country fun. The tradition continues with log skidding, horse/beef/dairy, horticultural and craft shows, a local food market, demonstrations as well as some terrific children’s activities. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast at 7 a.m. For more information visit: www.mississippimills.ca
The DACA Community Center in Dacre is welcoming people home at its Old Time Country Fair and Homecoming this weekend! From Saturday Aug. 19 to Aug. 20, the event includes fair activities, a pig and corn roast and lots of friends, family and fun!
The Morton Community Hall is playing host to a free community barbecue celebrating Canada’s 150th on Sunday, Aug. 20. Starting at noon, this event is rain or shine – bring your own lawn chair! The free family event features award-winning wildlife carving displays and demos, bluegrass music, heritage displays, line dancing and more!
Cornfest is taking over Athens on Saturday, Aug. 19 celebrating the corniest time Eastern Ontario! With continuous musical entertainment, a children’s parade, scarecrow contest, magician show, face painting, crafters and vendors, firefighting demos, paintball, zip line, old time country auction, antique car display, book sale and of course fresh, buttery corn on the cob – there is something for everyone!
Rideau Lakes Doors Open is set to impress by throwing open the doors of numerous sites in the township Aug. 19 to 20, 2017.Take in the view from Spy Rock near Westport, experience Ontario’s only working grist mill, see a modern-day farming operation, hear the story of our rich boat-building history, marvel at the rescue of one of our history-laden resorts and much more! See www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/rideaulakes for more info.