Festival Season kicks off!

Burlington is home to many festivals and events throughout the year but during the summer months, we have an exciting festival/event happening almost every weekend! Throughout the summer, you can find our friendly Summer Travel Counsellors present, ready and eager at these events to help you enjoy the most out of your experience while you discover all that beautiful Burlington has to offer! This past weekend, 3 events called Burlington home; the Fine Arts and Craft Festival, Doors Open and the Relay for Life. We had some of our counsellors at each one of these events.

Saturday and Sunday welcomed hundreds of artisans from throughout Halton Region, Ontario and Canada to the Burlington Art Centre for the Fine Art and Craft Festival. With over 100 artisans in attendance, visitors were able to explore the BAC’s expansive art gallery while shopping for wearable art, hand-crafted pottery, hand-carved sculptures and enjoy some food with free admission. Stephanie, our Administrative Assistant, was a fan of all the vendors selling wearable art and jewellery. She customized her own charm necklace at Maris Fine Jewellery’s booth with 2 sterling silver charms and 2 dyed fresh water pearls strung onto a sterling silver chain. She also picked up a pair of their sterling silver corkscrew earrings. She also purchased a glass blown hibiscus flower from La Glasserie with gold plated trimming for decoration. Sally, our Visitor Services Co-ordinator, purchased a one-of-a-kind, unique gift for a friend. Kul Werks Candle Art was selling wax and glass votive holders with wax that that doesn’t burn! Amy and Natalie, 2 of our Summer Travel Counsellors were delighted by the scents surrounded by our table provided by Victorian Essence Tea. They tasted many different variations of tea available for purchase and bought such flavours as Mint-Gunpowder, Gingered Lime which was reminiscent of old English Wine Gums and Turkish-Apple-Lemon. Our office at 414 Locust St., has smelt delightful ever since!

During the same weekend, Burlington celebrated the 2nd annual Doors Open, where landmarks buildings, heritage and cultural gems opened their doors for FREE! It was a chance to give residents and visitors alike the chance to explore the city’s rich history with over 18 sites opening their doors to the public and through guided walking tours provided by Heritage Burlington. Our offices in downtown Burlington was Doors Open Headquarters and the meeting point for these guided tours which were extremely popular. Some of the other popular spots this year included a Brant Inn/Historical Society Q & A, the Gingerbread House Gardens, St. Luke’s Church, the Halton Mosque, Union Burying Grounds, the Joseph Brant Museum and the Royal Canadian Legion Wartime Museum.

Another event was Burlington’s 10th Relay for Life! For those of you who are unaware of this fantastic event, here’s how it works. In the months leading up to the event, teams collect money to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. Relay for Life itself is a 12-hour event in which participants walk throughout the night to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have passed away and help work towards finding a cure for cancer. It is an emotional, powerful and fun experience that brings together family, friends and complete strangers in the struggle against cancer.

This year’s Relay was the fifth one I have personally attended and it was definitely one of my favourites. Although my friends and I certainly are not campers, we managed to put up our tent (and in only forty-five minutes too!). We were well-prepared, having stocked up on snacks and caffeine products in order to ensure we’d be able to stay awake for the night. It was great to see so many people participating, including a number of old friends. As always, I was particularly moved by the Survivor’s Lap, during which cancer survivors start the event by walking the first lap of the track.  It was truly an inspirational and moving sight. Participants walk the track during Burlington’s 10th Relay for Life.  The track was lined by luminaries, lit in memory of those who have passed away following their battle with cancer.

This upcoming weekend is the popular Sound of Music Festival. Visitors and residents are able to enjoy 4 free fabulous days of music with acts this year including Bedouin Soundclash, Emerson Drive, Stereos, Tokyo Police Club, Jimmy Rankin, Devo, Men without Hats and The Nylons. New this year to the festival is a Saturday Beach Party on John St., and outdoor musical performances on the front steps of the new Burlington Performing Arts Centre. As always, visitors and residents are able to enjoy Downtown Streetfest and the Grande Festival Parade with Burlington’s own Teen Tour Band. With over 200,000 attendees, festival organizers offer free shuttle services to and from the festival, call our Visitor Information Centre, 1.877.499.9989 for times and locations.