The Canadian National Exhibition Returns to Toronto - What to See and Do in 2022 - CNE

 

Every time that I go to the Canadian National Exhibition to provide media coverage, I have new experiences!

Being that this was the return of the CNE after the hiatus, I wasn't sure what to expect at THE EX. Plus the fact that the day began with rain, it was going to be a different experience altogether.  

Don't Let a Little Rain Dampen Your Experience at the Ex

There is a lot to see and do at the CNE even when the weather doesn't cooperate.  The best place to head when it is raining is to the Enecare Centre.  This building hosts a variety of experiences for the whole family to enjoy.

There are daily shows at the International Stage and Cooking Stage

You can visit the Exhibits which included the Nook of Gnomes, National Geographic: The Greatest Wildlife Photographs, CNE Heritage: An Immersive Experience and more,

There is even an indoor drone and laser show - Nevaeh and the NorthStar - happening at various times. 

You will also find the Gaming Garage, the Superdogs Show and lots of Shopping opportunities.

As a plus during the rain, the Busker Stage and the Mascots were inside the Enecare Centre that day.

The Enecare Centre has something for everyone, but that is not the only indoor experience at the CNE.

The Farm is another great building with lots of fun exhibits. There are animals, educational demonstrations, and fun displays.

Other buildings you can visit at the CNE include The Food Building, the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building and The Withrow Common Gallery just to name a few.

 You can see all the buildings listed on the CNE MAP.

Later in the day, the rain let up and I was able to grab a few outdoor pics and won a swag bag from the Shoppers Drug Mart booth.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Diane Morgan & Lisa McDonald (@those2girls)

There is still lots to enjoy at the Canadian National Exhibition no matter the weather conditions.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Diane Morgan & Lisa McDonald (@those2girls)

The CNE run until Labour Day - September 5, 2022

For more info visit https://www.theex.com

Welcome back CNE!

Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate at Scotiabank Arena Opening Night

This week Olaf finally got to do what frozen things do in summer!  He celebrated the return of Disney on Ice at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with all his Disney Pals!

Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate

It was an amazing show filled with memorable moments from Disney movies like Finding Dory, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Toy Story, Aladdin, Mulan and Frozen. The show was hosted by the Fab Four of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Diane Morgan & Lisa McDonald (@those2girls)

The performance dazzled the audience with ice dancing, costumed characters, sparkling lights, songs full of emotion and even SNOW!

Yes, Queen Elsa made it snow in Arendelle right inside the Scotiabank Arena. It was a magical moment that had all the spectators singing Let it Go altogether.

You can see full album by clicking the image below or heading to 

We always enjoy attending Disney on Ice, and after the hiatus of the past few years, it was wonderful to attend it once again! We love ice skating with the Magic of Disney.

Wondering when Disney on Ice is headed to your area? Visit https://www.disneyonice.com/

Minions: The Rise of Gru on Digital - Get Set for Gru and his Minions to Take Over a Screen Near You! Activity Kit and Colouring Sheets

Get set for the Gru and his Minions as they plan to take over screens everywhere with the Digital Release on August 30th of Minions: The Rise of Gru.

To help you get ready we have a Minions: The Rise of Gru Activity Kit

that you can download for free at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369595749/posts/10160206842445750

It includes Colouring Pages, a Maze, a Recipe and more!

It will be fun for the whole family and will have everyone excited for the film's release as the Despicable Me universe expands in this Minions sequel.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

Synopsis: In the heart of the 1970s, amidst a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making back-up from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto - a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please - deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons, and pull off their first missions.

For more information visit these links

 

Facebook: @Minions

Twitter: @Minions

Instagram: @Minions

Hashtag: #Minions: The Rise of Gru

Stay tuned for more Minions: The Rise of Gru content coming soon!

Drayton Entertainment's It Runs in the Family is Exactly What the Doctor Ordered to Tickle Your Funny Bone

Last week I attended the Opening Night of It Runs in the Family at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge Ontario.  Once inside the theatre you noticed that The Mattamy Auditorium had some strange scenery.  There were snowflakes projected on the curtains and there were Christmas Carols playing over the audio system.  This was to transport the audience to St. Andrew's Hospital in the midst of the busy Christmas Season.  As the show begins we learn that Dr. Mortimore is about to give an important speech while the other Hospital staff are consumed by their regular duties as well as learning their parts for the Christmas Panto. This already confusing time is about to get a whole lot more chaotic as a nurse from Dr. Mortimore's past shows up unexpectedly.  She refuses to leave until she explains to him why his past transgressions are about to impact him, and if he doesn't do something soon the whole Hospital will be turned upside down.

Neurologists from around the world are gathering at St. Andrews Hospital to hear Dr. Mortimore deliver the prestigious Ponsonby Lecture, but his shady past is catching up with him at the most inopportune time.   It seems that Dr. Mortimore had a brief liaison with nurse Jane Tate many years ago – resulting in an enraged, illegitimate son who appears on the scene looking for the father he never knew.

Desperate to protect his reputation and keep his lusty libido hidden from his wife, Dr. Mortimore enlists the help of his colleague, the unassuming Dr. Hubert Bonney.  Unfortunately, the dynamic duo only succeeds in spinning a web of mayhem and madness that gets worse by the minute.

Little white lies soon grow into gigantic whoppers, and more and more characters get helplessly tangled in the series of ludicrously improbable events.  The story is structured like a house of cards, as it builds up with one frantic situation after another, but ultimately, it’s the audience that collapses – with laughter.

This British Farce is sure to tickle your funny bone! Director Alex Mustakas made sure of that.  In his opening remarks, he mentioned how we all deserved to laugh together again

This incredible cast and creative team (including so many familiar faces!) will take you on a frantic, funny and completely outrageous journey. pic.twitter.com/d2d8KIgTK8

— DraytonEntertainment (@drayton_theatre) July 13, 2022

Get Your Tickets Now

It Runs in the Family runs until August 28th so now is the time to grab your tickets

It Runs in the Family is on stage from August 11 to August 28 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. Regular performance tickets are $53 for adults, $32 for youth under 20 years of age and $43 for groups of 20 or more and select Discount Dates. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased in person at any Drayton Entertainment Box Office, by calling the Box Office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online at www.draytonentertainment.com.

A Joyful Celebration Sets the Stage for Drayton Entertainment's Good Ol’ Country Gospel

 

Thursday night the Drayton Festival Theatre was transformed into the Little Brown Church for the opening of Good Ol’ Country Gospel.  This joyful celebration of music was opened with a tribute to the Drayton Entertainment Volunteers that give over 30,000 hours of time each season. As a theatre-goer, I appreciate how much time the volunteers contribute to the success of each production, and am thankful for their acts of volunteerism.

Once the show began, the performers transported the audience to a Southern Church filled with songs recorded by Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and Elvis. The singers and musicians on stage each played an integral part in engaging the audience with their songs and stories from the Country Gospel genre of music. The show included solo performances, duets and even a harmony chorus! Good Ol’ Country Gospel will keep your hands clapping, your toes tapping and even your knees slapping with the addition of the humourous Church Bulletin updates.

“Packed with humour and heart, Good Ol’ Country Gospel is a fun-filled tribute to the beloved and enduring canon of gospel music,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “Audiences will be uplifted, inspired, and amazed by the depth of talent on stage.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Drayton Entertainment (@draytonentertainment)

Good Ol’ Country Gospel will take audiences on a spirited musical extravaganza that covers the gamut of gospel classics such as “Amazing Grace,” “I’ll Fly Away,” Peace in the Valley,” “When The Saints Go Marching In,” and many more – all with a country twist!

Grab Your Tickets Now 

Be sure to see the show in its limited run for the month of August in Drayton!

Good Ol’ Country Gospel is on stage from August 11 through August 28 at the Drayton Festival Theatre. Regular performance tickets are $53 for adults, $32 for youth under 20 years of age and $43 for groups of 20 or more and select Discount Dates. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased in person at any Drayton Entertainment Box Office, by calling the Box Office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866), or online at www.draytonentertainment.com. 

Kidspark, Buskers, Outdoor Movies, Car Shows, Disney on Ice and More Events, Activities and Stuff to do in the Kitchener Waterloo Area - August 2022

 

Please check all the links listed as info tends to change without our knowledge.  We also suggest you go through the full list as some activities require you to pre-register and many have limited spaces. Dates/Times and Prices Vary.

The top part of our list is for ONGOING EVENTS (daily/weekly events) and further down you can see the MONTH SPECIFIC EVENTS

ONGOING IN AUGUST

Swimming and Splashpads - Prices vary
KITCHENER SPLASH PADS ARE OPEN – info at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/pools-and-swimming/splashpads.aspx

Kitchener Outdoor Pools https://www.kitchener.ca/en/pools-and-swimming/pools.aspx

Waterloo Pools and Splashpads https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/pools-and-splash-pad.aspx#

Ira Needles Splashpad at The Boardwalk https://www.the-boardwalk.ca/play-learn/

Grand River Conservation Areas https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Things-to-do.aspx

Bingemans Big Splash https://bingemans.com/bigsplash/index.php

Town of St. Marys SuperSplash https://supersplashstmarys.ca/

Attractions ONTARIO coupons for 2021 https://attractionsontario.ca/coupons

Max's Sportsworld https://maxssportsworld.ca/

Bingemans https://bingemans.com/entertainment_home.php

Skyzone Kitchener https://www.skyzone.com/ca-kitchener

Funvilla https://funvilla.ca/

Speedquest http://www.speedquest.ca/

THEMUSEUM https://themuseum.ca/families-kids/

Early Years events on Zoom for registration info visit https://earlyyearsinfo.ca

KPL Calendar https://kplca.evanced.info/signup/

WPL Calendar http://calendar.wpl.ca/eventcalendar.asp?lib=all

Region of Waterloo Library Calendar https://www.rwlibrary.ca/en/programs-events/virtual-programs.aspx

Cambridge Libraries Calendar https://ideaexchange.org/programs-events

City of Waterloo Museum Activities https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/city-of-waterloo-museum.?_mid_=1764

Region of Waterloo Museum (DOON) events https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/index.aspx#

Joseph Schneider Haus events https://www.schneiderhaus.ca/en/index.aspx

Woodside National Historic Site Self Guided Tours Thursday and Fridays https://www.facebook.com/WoodsideNHS/photos/a.797717783604573/4705277552848557

Wilmot Family Resource Centre https://wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.wordpress.com/events/calendar

Wellbeing Waterloo Region Calendar https://www.wellbeingwr.ca/calendar/

KW Adventure Walks https://kwescape.ca/games

Kitchener Market Events Calendar https://calendar.kitchenermarket.ca/default/Month

KW FOOD TRUCKS  https://www.instagram.com/kwfoodtrucks https://www.kwfoodtrucks.ca

Mobile Skatepark (TBD) https://www.kitchener.ca/en/recreation-and-sports/mobile-skatepark.aspx

Outdoor Fitness and Skateparks in Kitchener https://www.kitchener.ca/en/recreation-and-sports/outdoor-fitness-options.aspx#July

Chicopee Tube Park - it looks like they are only doing Zip Lining this year http://chicopeetubepark.com/summer/index.html

 

Mondays Show and Shine Car Show @ Partsource Highland Rd. https://www.facebook.com/events/405280684822148/405280724822144

Tuesdays Special Guest at THEMUSEUM (downtown Kitchener) https://themuseum.ca/events/summer-special-guests/?event_rdate=20220802110000%2C20220802110000

Open Tuesdays @ Steckle Farm https://stecklehomestead.ca/open-tuesdays

Pups and Poses Yoga Series Tuesdays @ Victoria Park https://www.dogfriendlykw.com/events

Music in the Park Tuesdays in Ayr https://calendar.northdumfries.ca/default/Index?__RequestVerificationToken=UqCjzgHlQdTB_dMerI5Ds8EbPHZpJMBb7t6Zvyyh832O_m0K32TQSwhxZ9pWHc7QPBjIAXGeqdtPwhoH-yALpsM3Mou1p_KPtm8JDF9Vhhw1&PrintView=list&StartDate=07/01/2022

Free Zumba Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings in Williamsburg https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369595749/posts/10160135862660750/

Yoga in the Park Wednesday at Lunchtime @ Victoria Park Clock Tower https://www.facebook.com/events/534577011692687/534579415025780/?active_tab=about

Yoga in the Park Wednesdays Evenings @ Victoria Park Clock Tower https://www.facebook.com/events/534577011692687/534579415025780/?active_tab=about

Rockin' it at Rockway Wednesdays @ Rockway Centre https://www.kitchener.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/rockin-it-at-rockway.aspx

Thursday Outdoor Movies at Cambridge City Hall https://calendar.cambridge.ca/default/Detail/2022-08-04-2030-Outdoor-Movie-Nights

Movies at the Market at Kitchener Market https://www.kitchenermarket.ca/en/whats-happening/movies-at-the-market.aspx

Yoga in the Park Thursday Evenings @ Civic Centre Park (between KPL and Centre in the Square) https://www.facebook.com/events/325698539720225/325810573042355

Uptown Night Market @ Waterloo Public Library https://uptownwaterloobia.com/night-market/

Salsa in the Square @ Waterloo Public Square Thursdays https://underdogdance.com/salsa-bachata-nights

Stroll Through Historic St. Jacobs Walking Tour - Thursdays and Sundays https://strollwalkingtours.com/st-jacobs-walking-tour/

Castle Kilbride Thursday Concerts https://www.wilmot.ca/en/living-here/Events-and-Exhibits.aspx

Friday Noon Concerts at Kitchener City Hall https://www.downtownkitchener.ca/en/festivals-events-experiences.asp

FRIDAY to SUNDAY Events in Hespler Village until October What's On | Events | Hespeler Village BIA

Sundays Waterloo Band at Waterloo Park Bandshell https://www.therecord.com/local-waterloo/entertainment/2022/06/15/summer-concerts-back-at-the-waterloo-park-bandshell.html

AUGUST EVENTS

ENTER OUR DISNEY ON ICE TORONTO GIVEAWAY at https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2022/07/disney-on-ice-lets-celebrate-in-toronto.html

August 1

Pirate Festival Guelph https://www.thepiratefestival.com/

August 1-6

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT On Golden Pond in Cambridge https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2022/07/simpler-times-with-complicated.html

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT The Sweet Delilah Swim Club in Waterloo at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2022/07/fierce-feisty-and-funny-female.html

August 4

Outdoor Movie at Waterloo Park

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx#Movies-In-The-Park-May-September-

August 4-7 

Kitchener Bluesfest

(Thursday night is a paid ticket event, Friday to Sunday is FREE)

Info https://www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com/

Schedule (including Children's Stage) https://www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com/schedule-2022

Springworks w/Puppetworks in Stratford https://www.springworksfestival.ca/

August 5-7

Drayton Fair https://www.draytonagsociety.com/

Ribfest in Brantford https://www.facebook.com/events/162772516049585

August 6

Day of Play in Waterloo Park https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx#Day-of-Play-August-6-

Waterloo Warbirds Open House

Waterloo Region Airport Hangar 9 Info https://waterloowarbirds.com/pages/event-calendar   and https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgo4AhSADGP/

August 7

Galt Jazz in Cambridge https://calendar.cambridge.ca/default/Detail/2022-08-07-1400-Galt-Jazz

August 9

Kids Hop w/Erick Traplin at Kitchener Market 10-11am https://calendar.kitchenermarket.ca/default/Detail/2022-08-09-1000-Summer-Kids-Hop-with-Erick-Traplin

August 10 (rescheduled July event)

Outdoor Movie from The Red Carpet Crew at 300 Gage Ave. Kitchener - Mary Poppins Returns https://theredcarpetcrew.com/community-movie-night/

Campfire Waterloo Public Square https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx?msclkid=5c2a3cb5a94e11ecb47a3e6c42ddb869#Campfire-May-October-

August 12

Outdoor Movie from The Davidson Realty Group & Storybook Events in Hewitt Park Kitchener - Spiderman No Way Home

Fill out the Google form to attend at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1stvMx3RnEq2foXBU6ai54RiU4zx59iEc50rokDfx-_E/viewform?fbclid=IwAR33o5UwYZyo7TvclUCgQmo9JEHezcABbL7Y0Ju_sdsEI-1jbWS7qL82sFM&edit_requested=true

August 12-14

Country Roots Music Festival in Burford (near Brantford) https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/27855

August 12-14

Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games

https://fergusscottishfestival.com/

August 13

Lunarfest St. Jacobs https://threesisterscentre.ca/event/lunarfest/ 

Leslie Motors Classic Car Show in Harriston https://calendar.wellington.ca/default/Detail/2022-08-13-0900-Leslie-Motors-Classic-Car-Show

eSports Summer Showdown Includes Kids Minecraft - Galt Arena Cambridge https://www.start.gg/tournament/100th-anniversary-of-galt-arena/details

August 17

Mix Week Mix Up at Max Becker Commons in the Williamsburg Neighbourhood https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159734995190973&set=p.10159734995190973&type=3

August 18

A Pop Up Picnic

Location & Time: Waterloo Public Library, McCormick Branch from 7pm-9pm https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx#Night-Lights-a-Pop-Up-Performance-Series-May-August-

Outdoor Movie at Waterloo Park

Sing 2 https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx#Movies-In-The-Park-May-September-

August 19

Outdoor Movie in New Hamburg

Spiderman No Way Home 

Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOj013HD859JYcIEiNDvFj4s4JcV-GgT-mnY7yAaVI0s4u3g/viewform 

Concordia Club Cruise Night 

https://www.concordiaclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022-cruise-night-poster-concordia-club.pdf

August 19-20

Strummerfest in Uptown Waterloo https://www.strummerfest.ca/sfest2022_performers.html

August 20-21 

Ragnarok 2.0 https://ragnarokxp.com/

August 21

KIDSPARK in Victoria Park Kitchener https://www.kitchener.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/kidspark.aspx - this is one of the best FREE FAMILY FESTIVALS in the area!

THEMUSEUM (downtown Kitchener) hosts the Out of this World by KMSB https://themuseum.ca/events/out-of-this-world-by-kmsb/

Tri City Expo Car Show at THE AUD https://www.facebook.com/events/4624821154310216/?active_tab=discussion

August 20-21 

Moparfest in New Hamburg https://moparfest.com/

August 25

Uptown Waterloo Art and Historical Tour https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/all-city-events.aspx#Public-Art-and-Historical-Uptown-Waterloo-Walking-Tour-June-9-July-21-August-25-

August 25-28

Waterloo Buskers Carnival Uptown Waterloo https://waterloobuskers.com/ Schedule https://waterloobuskers.com/schedule-11/

August 27

RCMP Musical Ride in the Town of Erin (near Guelph) TICKETS https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/40772/ 

more info at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/even/en/t/2/e

August 28 

RCMP Musical Ride in Burford (near Brantford) TICKETS https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/40959/ more info at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/even/en/t/2/e

August 30-September 2

DISNEY ON ICE IN TORONTO - Use code M1MS22 to Unlock 20% savings! Full info at https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2022/07/disney-on-ice-lets-celebrate-in-toronto.html