Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

Celebrate Mother's Day in Burlington!

She’s the one who kissed our boo-boos away, lends an ear and is there for us through thick and thin – thanks MOM!  With only a week until Mother’s Day you still have time to plan the perfect celebration for your mom, grandmother or other special lady in your life.  From events to brunch to gift ideas, Tourism Burlington is here to help.

If you are looking for a special event to share with your mom consider heading to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm for their Queen’s Jubilee Mother’s Day Royal Tea.  This celebration to honour the Queen’s 60^th Jubilee includes live entertainment, tea workshops, horse & carriage rides, gardening demonstrations, hands-on activities, a visit from “the Queen” and tea parties (1:00pm, 2:30pm & 4:00pm).  Tickets for the tea party are sold in advance.  What a great way to enjoy this special day at this historic site. 

For mom’s that prefer something a bit more outdoorsy, plan to visit Crawford Lake for their wildflower walks for mom.  This guided walk through the park woodlands begins with a spring slideshow then you head outside where a guide will accompany you and explain the natural and cultural history of the area wildflowers.  Post walk, mom can relax with a serving of Nature’s Tea. 

For mom’s that like a bit of entertainment, the Halton Region Museum celebrates mother’s day with their spring jazz series featuring the George Grosman Quartet.  Spend the afternoon enjoying the sounds of this outstanding jazz quartet and noshing on some light appetizers.  Tickets should be purchased in advance as a limited number will be available at the door.

The best gift “fore” mom.  On May 12th and 13th at Hidden Lake Golf and Lowville bring your mom out for a round of golf and she plays free when accompanied by a full-paying green fee and purchase of a power cart. Consider adding brunch at Lowville to your day out only $12.95 per person from 9am-1pm.

For the sweetest mom consider spending the day exploring the Burlington Chocolate Trail.  This self guided trail of all things chocolate includes 5 chocolatiers making amazing creations; five restaurants featuring decadent desserts; six artisan food producers with a wide variety of chocolate treats and two spas where you can relax with a chocolate treatment.

When is brunch not just brunch - when you head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for their Mother’s Day brunch. Enjoy entertainment and spectacular food prepared at the Gardens Café.  Your package includes shuttle service to the garden areas where mom can view the Tulip and Lilac blooms.  Reservations are required.

Burlington is home to such an array of great restaurants that you are sure to find the perfect spot to treat your mom.  Here is a listing of restaurants offering Mother’s Day brunch/buffet:

Alloro; 11am-2pm - Sunday Brunch

Beaver & Bulldog; starts at 10:30am - Mother’s Day Brunch

Downtown Bistro; 11am-3pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 5pm-9pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Honey West; 11am-4pm - Mother’s Day Brunch & 6pm, 8pm - Mother’s Day Dinner

Jake’s Grill &Oyster House, Lunch & Dinner Specials, live jazz & gift for mom

LaCosta Nuova; 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm - Italian Style Buffet

Local Eatery & Refuge; All day - Mom’s enjoy a complimentary entrée*

Martini House; Mom’s meal is on us, restrictions apply. One Mom per table of four.
Pepperwood Bistro; Mother’s Day Buffet

Red Canoe Bistro; 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm - Mother’s Day Buffet        

Spencer’s at the Waterfront; Mother’s Day Brunch

Stone House Restaurant; 4pm-8:30pm - Sunday Buffet        

Water St. Cooker; Sunday Brunch

If you are looking for the perfect mother’s day gift we have some suggestions to fit every budget.  Flowers are always nice and chocolates (check out our chocolate trail vendors) are a guaranteed hit. For those looking for something more unique consider visiting Art Etc. at the Burlington Art Centre where you can find Canadian handmade items ranging from jewelry to pottery and more.  If mom is a gardener, head to the Shop at the Gardens (RBG) for the perfect gift.  For the foodie, look no further than Springridge Farm, they carry a wide variety of gourmet goodies and cookbooks, as well as home and garden gifts.  Downtown Burlington is home to many one of a kind shops that are sure to please even the hardest to buy for mom.  For fashion, head to Joelle’s, Mirella’s Ladies Boutique, Ohh!! Beautiful Things, Pearl Street Fine Shoes, Promises and Lace and the list goes on!  For home décor and gifts think Artist’s Walk in the Village Square, Centro Garden, Fairhome and Stir Kitchen.  Visit the Downtown Burlington website for a complete list of retailers.  Of course you can always find what you’re looking for at Mapleview Centre or Burlington Mall and if you can’t decide a gift certificate is always appreciated.

Of course some moms are happy with a homemade card and gift and we think that is just great too! 

Happy Mother’s Day 

 

Tourism New Year’s Resolutions

Okay so I admit, it is already the second week of January and I have procrastinated on creating a list of New Year’s resolutions.  In fact, I asked our staff team for some ideas since resolutions are not really my thing.  Don’t get me wrong, I have made lots of resolutions in my time, however I have not been so good at keeping them. Once we started on the resolution list, we found that there were so many great ideas that it will be a challenge to complete them all, but it sure will be lots of fun trying!  Have a look at ours and send us others we can add them to the list.

Tourism Resolutions

In 2012 I am going to be a tourist in my own hometown by encouraging friends and family to come visit Burlington to do the following activities:

1. Try snowshoeing at Crawford Lake (Jan 6-Feb 25; 6:30-8:30 pm) – this is assuming that old man winter actually arrives in our neck of the woods!
2. Visit at least 2 new restaurants during Taste of Burlington (Feb 20-March 11, 2012) – This is one of my favorites!



Walkers Chocolates

3. Learn more about the benefits of chocolate by taking the new self guided Burlington Chocolate Trail tour.  Then visit the RBG for Chocolate: The Exhibiton (Jan. 28- Apr. 15)
4. Go to a performance at the new state of the art Burlington Performance Arts Centre.
5. Visit the Tourism Visitor Information Centre – a hidden treasure of information about Burlington, surrounding area and Ontario with postcards and lots of Burlington and Canadian souvenirs.
6. Shake up those creative juices by taking a course at the Burlington Art Centre.
7. Check out all the Famous Burlingtonians on our Tourism Burlington site and send in a nominee.
8. Bike, walk, jog or roll along the 23 km. of Waterfront Trail in Burlington.
9. Stand at the compass on the waterfront promenade, face north and say something – you will hear your voice strangely amplified.  This is so cool!
10. Try out the magnetic hill on King Rd. Be careful of other traffic and note all warnings indicated in link!



Spencer Smith Park - waterfront


11. Gaze at the stars in the summer sky during the star-gazing programs at the Waterfront.
12. Learn about one of our first citizens and landowners in Burlington Captain Joseph Brant at the Joseph Brant Museum.
13. Join 3,000 others and run in the Santa 5k this December.
14. Try tubing at Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre.
15. Take a wagon ride out to the sugar bush and see Maple Syrup being made.  (offered at both Bronte Creek or Mountsberg Conservation Area).
16. Watch the sunrise over LaSalle Park Marina.
17. Golf at one or more of the great golf courses in the city.
18. Walk the Iroquoia portion of the Bruce Trail that runs through Burlington.
19. Watch salmon run at Lowville Park.
20. Go bird watching for Bald Eagles at the RBG, Trumpeter Swans along the waterfront or the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike breeding program at Mountsberg. 
21. Take a self guided walking tour of historic Burlington. 



BTTB @ Sound of Music Festival

22. Attend local special events, here are some ideas but check out events calendar for many more suggestions: Winter Carnival, Women’s Show, Easter Eggstravangza, Youth Fest, Kite Festival, Doors Open, Art and Craft Festival, Sound of Music Festival, Canada Day, Country and Blues BBQ, Celebrate the Brant Inn, Zimsculpt, Joseph Brant Day, Lakeside a la Carte, Children’s Festival, Canada’s Largest Ribfest, British Car Rally, Fall into Nature, Art in Action Studio Tour, Wearable Art, Soup Bowl and Christmas Sale, Doorways to the Holidays, Christmas Parade, Festival of Lights, Santa Run, New Year’s Eve and Day.  Wow are you going to be busy! Also consider volunteering for one or several of these great events.
23. Take a scenic drive or day trip in Burlington.  (Here are some ideas to get you motivated.)
24. Enjoy some night life at a local club for comedy, music and dance.
25. Try geocaching (a type of scavenger hunt) at the RBG, Bronte Creek or Conservation Halton.



Burlington Mall Farmers Market

26. Visit one of the local farmers markets or on farm markets in season.
27. Treat myself to a spa treatment at one of Burlington’s many fabulous spas.
28. Catch a trophy salmon, lake trout or steelhead on Lake Ontario.
29. Enjoy a day (or two) at Burlington’s best kept secret Beachway Park.
30. Listen to the Burlington Teen Tour Band in concert, Canada’s Musical Ambassadors.

We probably could have given you 30 more ideas, but we want you to keep your resolutions and hope you find time to do many of these throughout the year. 

Enjoy all that Burlington has to offer and be a tourist in your hometown.

P.S. Don’t forget to invite your family and friends to join you by sending them an epostcard. 

P.S.S. Send us your pictures of doing a resolution and you could be featured on a postcard or included in future blogs or on our website! 

tourburlgirl

The Kids are bored, now what?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Then you realize the kids are off school for 2 weeks and you are out of ideas on what to do with them. We have put together a blog full of activities to keep everyone entertained.  For more detailed information on events (times, cost, etc) please visit the individual websites.  Now, get out there and have fun!

Ring in 2012 with any one of the exciting events happening in Burlington this New Year’s. For a family-friendly event, go to Central Park for the City of Burlington’s Family New Year’s Eve. Celebrate from 6pm-10pm and see how the park is transformed into Seussville for the evening! With performances of “Seussical the Musical” by Student Theatre, free skating, crafts and games, and fireworks at 10pm, your family will have a fabulous night! Bronte Creek will keep you partying until midnight with their New Year’s Eve Family Skate and Coyote Howl. Starting at 5pm and continuing through until 12:30am, you and your family can skate, snack, hike, and howl your way into 2012.  At Glen Eden you can enjoy free hot chocolate, a bonfire and music at the tube park and skiing and snowboarding until 8pm.

On January 1st you can continue celebrations with a New Years Day Party from 12–4pm at Tansley Woods Community Centre. This Suessville family fun is a free event with entertainment, free swimming, open gym, and activities. Enjoy a performance of Suessical the Musical and more.

Skating at Rotary Centennial Pond

Lace up your skates this holiday season.  Many local arenas are part of the Tim Hortons Free Skate, check the website for dates, times and locations.  For those that prefer an outdoor rink consider heading to Rotary Centennial Pond on the waterfront for free skating daily from 10am to 10pm.  Be sure to phone ahead and check the ice conditions 905 634 7263.  Bronte Creek Provincial Park is home to a huge outdoor rink that is can be in good condition even with a mild spell. It's a good idea to call ahead to listen to the automated recording of current rink conditions. 905-827-6911. If the recording is a few days old it means the rink conditions have not changed. The rink is open daily 9:00am - 9:30pm. (weather permitting) and on New Years Eve the rink stays open until 12:30am.

Mountsberg

For more outdoor fun, consider Conservation Halton parks.  All the parks have amazing hiking trails and some offer snowshoeing and/or cross-country skiing (weather permitting).  Crawford Lake also has moonlight snowshoe hikes (suitable for ages 8 and up) every Friday and Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm. Each hike begins with basic instruction and some historical background on the sport of snowshoeing. Next, you will strap on a pair of snowshoes, and take a guided trek through the Crawford Lake woodlands. Your guide will point out some of the natural features of the area, and motivate you along the way. At the end of the evening relax by a fire with a steaming hot chocolate. Pre-registration is required and if there is no snow a guided hike is substituted. On Jan. 6 from 6:30-9:00pm participate in a Guided Moonlight Ski at Hilton Falls (suitable for ages 5yrs and up). Enjoy the magic of a winter's evening with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows over an open fire by the falls after a guided moonlight ski. Pre-registration is recommended and limited ski equipment rental packages are available, be sure to reserve yours early.

 At Mountsberg, you can enjoy a wagon or sleigh ride through the fields and forests of the park. The jingle of the harness and the sound of the horses tromping along the trail will make for an enjoyable trip. Wagon Rides are offered daily along with birds of prey presentations from Dec. 26-Jan. 7 and weekends until Feb. 20.

Glen Eden

No need to head north, Glen Eden is officially opening on Dec. 26 for skiing and snowboarding.  Hit the slopes for a day of fun on one of their 14 runs.  Private lessons can be arranged for first-timers or those wanting some expert training.  The week of Dec. 27-31 there will also be camps running but you need to book early as these fill up quick. 

Doorways to the Holidays

For indoor and outdoor fun look no further than, The Royal Botanical Gardens. The RBG is open 10am-4pm daily with beautiful gardens and lots of great outdoor trails you can spend a day exploring.  Doorways to the holidays featuring cleverly decorated holiday themed doors throughout the Centre is still on display and you can join RBG interpreters for a variety of family activities this holiday season. Go for a walk in the woods with the birds; explore winter traditions and the plants that have influenced them over time; or make a bird-friendly or holiday craft to take home. If you have to work you can always sign the kids up for a week of discovery and adventure at RBG’s discovery camps running Jan. 2-6.

Visiting the BAC

For those of an artistic nature the Burlington Art Centre is a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the exhibits and collections and best of all it’s free!  Currently there are 2 exhibitions to enjoy. “Black + White = Grey” , a collection of works by a number of artists, including Kayo O’Young, Diane Nasr, Jane Hill, and Sadashi Inuzuka, showcases the relationship between ceramics and technology through the use of glazes, colour, and clay and “Gino Lorcini: Significant Forms” offers visitors a unique look at the range of three-dimensional works and wall reliefs by the artist. The BAC will be closed until January 2nd and then open daily. 

If you are feeling crafty, consider Art Glazed Over a paint your own ceramics studio, offering drop in fun or pre-registered workshops for the winter break.  Or you could head to Art Felt  for art based day camps for children 5-12 years the week of Jan. 2-7.   

Joseph Brant Museum

Step back in time and learn about local history at the Museums of Burlington. If you love fashion you will want to visit the exhibit The Gilded Age: In Pursuit of Pleasure - Fashion in Edwardian Times currently housed at Joseph Brant Museum or head to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm and tour the historic house that housed three generations of the Ireland family.  With admission rates under $5.00 per person you can’t find a better deal.  Museums of Burlington are closed until January 2nd when regular museum hours resume.

We have highlighted some of the great things to see and do over the break here in Burlington, be sure to visit our website for more ideas and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for other updates.

 

Lots of Soup for you!

Why is it that whenever I think of soup it immediately brings to mind the classic episode on the t.v. show Seinfeld and that famous line – “No soup for you!”

Well fortunately for us here in Burlington there is an event coming up with lots of delicious soup for all.  The annual Soup Bowl event held at the Burlington Art Centre’s Shoreline Room is happening November 17-20 and this year we have a whole table of us going on Friday for lunch. 

Here is how it works.  You choose a fabulous handcrafted ceramic soup bowl from the hundred of choices made by the BAC Potters guild members.  Then you fill it with your choice of gourmet soups made by local restaurants.  Add a crisp, fresh salad, roll and yummy ice cream for dessert.  The best part is that and you keep the bowl you chose, a volunteer wisks it away, and it is returned to you clean and packed for you to take home!



TourBurl girl's bowl selections

 The most difficult task is trying to decide which bowl and soup to chose.  The local restaurants support this event by providing the delectable soups and salads to assist this annual fundraiser. 

Over the years I have gotten a number of beautiful bowls in many shapes, sizes and colours that I proudly display at home and use for dips, Christmas candies, and soup of course! 

The Soup Bowl sells out quickly, in fact the Friday lunch is sold out so you need to reserve your seat early to avoid disappointment.  There are still spaces available for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday lunch (12 noon) and Friday evening (6 pm).  You can book tickets online or purchase in person at the Burlington Art Centre. 

Holiday decor @ Art Etc

With the Christmas Sale presented by Arts Burlington going on at the same time at the Art Centre, it is a great opportunity for you to do some shopping for the art lover in your family.  With over 95 Canadian Artisans participating, there is a lot to choose from for everyone on your gift list.  I usually pick up some great hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and one of a kind items for that hard to buy for someone.  I also have bought some lovely items for myself to jazz up my holiday wardrobe.  There is no fee to attend the Sale and the parking is also free.  The sale hours are from Thursday from 11 am – 3 pm, Friday 11 am – 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm. 

For more information about this event or other things happening in Burlington contact Tourism Burlington at 905 634-5594. 

Enjoy your soup and the sale.
TourBurl girl.

Lots left to do in Burlington before summer ends

Although it’s already halfway through August (and who can believe it?), there is still plenty to do in Burlington before the summer ends. 

There are two great events running in August at the Royal Botanical Gardens.  Food lovers should be sure to check out their “Edible Weekends” featuring cooking demonstrations, educational workshops, special menu items, taste-testings and more!  A different taste is highlighted each weekend, with tomatoes and salsa featured August 20th and 21st, garlic highlighted August 27th and 28th and gourds showcased September 3rd to 5th.  With so many flavours, this event certainly promises to be delicious! 

Music lovers should also visit the RBG for Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues  which takes place Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Hendrie Park.  Performances run until September 7th, so you still have lots of time left to enjoy the music!  Enjoy a cold drink, some barbecue and the lovely garden while listening to award-winning jazz and blues musicians.  Concerts take place rain or shine.      

If you’re up for something a little spookier, then Ghost Walks at Bronte Creek’s Spruce Lane Farmhouse are definitely for you.  Staff members will guide you through the house and barn, providing an educational tour highlighting occurrences, beliefs and unexplained happenings.  The walks take place Sunday evenings beginning at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and last 45 minutes.  Meet at parking lot F to join the tour which is included with regular admission to the park.  Although the walks are more educational than scary, they are best suited for children over seven.     

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family?  Look no further than this weekend’s Children’s Festival!  This fabulous two day event is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and promises to be filled with fantastic activities and entertainment that kids will love.

The festival kicks off Saturday August 20th at 10 a.m. with the 4th Annual Discover Sandcastles Competition at Beachway Park.  There are four categories in which you can compete: child (ages 4-12), youth (ages 13-17), adult (ages 18+) and family (all ages with a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children).  Simply visit the event’s web page to register using RecExpress.

Love sandcastles but don’t necessarily want to compete?  There is plenty for you to do too!  Come and watch Master Sand Sculptor demonstrations, listen to live music, take part in fun activities, grab a bite to eat and enjoy a marketplace all on Burlington’s beautiful beach.  Local children’s book author Sylvia McNicoll will be emceeing the day, so bring your books down to be signed.  Also be sure to vote for your favourite sandcastle for the People’s Choice Award and stick around to watch the award ceremony at 4 p.m. to see the winners.   

The fun continues on Sunday August 21st at 10 a.m. with the Children’s Festival in Spencer Smith Park.  Come on down and enjoy play zones, pirate ship inflatables, a SpongeBob SquarePants meet and greet, talking parrot shows, entertainment and more!  From 12:30 until 1 p.m., kids are encouraged to participate in the Promenade Parade.  Come dressed as a pirate, prince or princess and join the fun!  Although the day’s activities end at 4 p.m., you can come back to the park at 7 p.m. to join the Amazing Captain Corbin for a magical Pirate show followed by a 9 p.m. outdoor screening of a pirate movie.  Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the show! 

Speaking of fabulous festivals, who can resist the deliciousness that is Canada’s Largest Ribfest?  Come down to Spencer Smith Park September 2nd to 5th and sample some of the best ribs from 18 of North America’s top ribbers.  Visit their website for a $3.00 off ribs coupon, valid Friday September 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Ribfest isn’t only about the ribs though!  You can get all sorts of food including chicken, hot dogs, pizza, corn, French fries, fried onions, doughnuts, ice cream and more!  There is also fantastic musical entertainment, crafters and activities and games for kids of all ages.  It is definitely not to be missed!

So shake off those end of summer blahs and go out and enjoy all that Burlington has to offer!      

TC Kat

Canada Day in Canada's 3rd Best City to Live in!

Burlington came down in droves this past Canada Day to show off their national pride in Canada's 3rd best city to live in for the 3rd straight year by Money Sense! Our Summer Travel Counsellors worked alongside City of Burlington's Special Events to help visitors during the festival. Our girls provided information on the celebrations in Spencer Smith Park, Burlington and the area as well as other notable events coming to town!

The day started out warm down on the breezy waterfront. The dogs were prepped for the Purina Dog Show with bandanas, tshirts and even a dog in a bowtie and the Burlington Teen Tour Band was warming up in preparation for the Opening Ceremonies with Mayor Rick Goldring, MPP Mike Wallace and elected members of Burlington council.

Next to the park at the Joseph Brant Museum, the held the annual Strawberry Social where visitors were able to cool off by being served some delicious honey-vanilla ice cream smothered in local strawberries as well as be entertained by live performances and stroll through the local vendors.

As if this wasn't enough, the 2 stages down in Spencer Smith Park had a fabulous line up of live entertainment featuring local Burlington band, Spoons, as the headlining act. As always, Canada Day in Burlington ends with a smashing fireworks display over our picturesque waterfront.

If you missed out on Burlington's Canada Day Celebrations, you're in luck! This weekend, Spencer Smith Park plays host to a new festival, the 1st annual Burlington Country & Blues BBQ - July 8-10. At 4pm on July 9th, they festival is attempting the longest line dance along the promenade so come on down with 'yer cowboy boots and boot-scoot and boogie!

The Sound of Music Festival

The Sound of AWESOME Festival, More Like.

A violinist in a cowboy hat. Onion Blooms. Tiger-faced babies. A breathtaking view complete with sailboats, waterfowl and buskers that would take away the breath of even the most cynically cynical cynisist. One might ask, “What do these seemingly unconnected phrases have in common, other than being sentence fragments that sound like the ramblings of an incoherent drunkard?” The answer, my esteemed colleagues in Burlingtonian-ness, can be summed up in 3 words. Nay, 3 letters. S.O.M.

Nowhere else is there an event that allows you such visual, auditory and taste-related stimulation. That’s just science.  My own personal 2011 experience started with Bedouin Soundclash on Thursday night and LET ME TELL YOU, they were amazing. To be fair, I am a tad biased as I attend Queen’s University (their Alma Matter), and so consider it to be my duty to pledge my allegiance to the band. Of course, their outspoken support for the recently annihilated (yes, I know that’s harsh but it’s also completely accurate) Vancouver Canucks voiced on stage in the middle of the set was NOT appreciated by the hockey fans in the crowd (myself included!), but their performance was so impressive that it more than made up for their Vancouverness. 

Friday night was similarly joy-evoking: I had a couple of buds in from out of town to see Emerson Drive, who were so wonderful that a regular word is merely does not suffice, and so I am forced to make one up: fabulisciosome. Yes. The band was fabulisciosome. Also, not too hard on the eyes. In fact, my Oakville buddy who was visiting said that the show was the best concert she’d ever seen. Pretty high praise, fellas! Following the set we met the band and, after facing the harsh realization that they all had wedding rings on, recovered our zeal and headed through the park for a walk around the rides, mourning the fact that as students we’re far too poor to avoid even a spinny strawberry ride. Good times.

Saturday night was the capper, as I attended a balcony party downtown and got to see the action from a bird’s eye view. While I was very disappointed that a fight did not break out in front of the beer store when it closed at 10 (and believe me,the other spectators and I expected it!), I suppose it does attest to the inspirationally peaceful downtown atmosphere (wink wink plug plug). However, my disappointment was subdued when—suddenly—the sweet lusciousness of Otis Redding’s ‘Sittin on the Dock of the Bay’ wafted (as much as sound can ‘waft’) into my ears. Of course, it wasn’t the real Otis, but the cover band truly did the man proud.  The night was full of mooching about the vendors, getting together with old friends and new, and seriously appreciating the street festivities. All in all an amazing weekend. Great music, vendors and atmosphere: a complete success!

We walked along the waterfront, thinking “what could possibly make this weekend of music, rides, sunglass shopping and Lugano’s pizza any better?”.  And then we stumbled upon the answer.  Cupcakes.  In a truck.  Now I know what you’re thinking.  Cupcakes can’t drive.  But that’s not important.  What you need to know is that the cookies and cream cupcake I had was absolutely fantastic and a perfect end to the night.  Be sure to check out the Cupcake Diner while you’re at the festival!

Here at Tourism Burlington, the majority of us Summer Travel Counselors go to McMaster University. I, however, representing the minority, attend Queen’s University. So on Thursday night I decided it would be excellent to support the talented band Bedouin Soundclash who forged their friendship at Queen’s University around a decade ago. They made Queen’s proud as lead singer, Jay Malinowski, belted out hit songs such as “Walls Fall Down” and “When the Night Feels my Song”. The pressing question many of you may be asking is “is Jay as good looking in person as he is on TV?” The answer: even better looking in person (yes, it is possible).

Now, although the tourism staff enjoyed the festival, we also actually did some work there.  You know - that stuff we get paid to do. Not that we don’t enjoy working at tourism, it’s a pretty sweet gig actually. And I didn’t get paid to say that! Unless you count the fact that I’m blogging during my work day. So technically, I did get paid to say that, but I would also have been paid had I said something else.

Anyhoo, we travel counsellors donned our official Sound of Music shirts and settled into our lakeside information tent. It was a gorgeous weekend, and we were lucky enough to be helping very happy people, while being treated to free music all day.  Most common occurrence: people asking for a schedule/map. Least common occurrence: dog walking on its two hind legs. No joke. Two thumbs up for working at Sound of Music.

Also, in response to Ellen’s University of Queens thing, I would just like to point out that our SOM shirts were not only maroon (McMaster colours WHAT), but were also adorned with the Mohawk college logo, an institution which has several joint programs with Mac.  WHAT YOU GONNA DO?

I’m sure you are wondering what sort of shenanigans some of the Tourism girls got up to this Saturday during the Sound of Music Festival!

… no? Well now that you know shenanigans were had maybe I have piqued your interest.

During the day, we spent most of our time down at the Waterfront in front of Discovery Landing and boy was it hot out! That didn’t stop those determined music lovers and shoppers though because Spencer Smith Park was packed! Everyone seemed to be having a great time, especially the children at the splash pad.

You might be surprised that while the Sound of Music is an event most Burlingtonians wait all year for, there are people from everywhere coming to experience this amazing event! We even met a couple from Germany!

After we finished work we decided to FINALLY go and visit the festival we have been talking about! But we just finished work so obviously dinner was the first priority.

Since we were downtown already we decided to go to arguably the BEST pizza place in Burlington, Lugano’s (Kat seems to think that Mount Royal Pizza at the north end of Burlington is the best). We ordered two medium pizzas and only had to pay 18 dollars! Delicious and price savvy. The best combo.

After the pizza and a little wandering around the shops (we will get back to those later), we took our place in the crowd to see Hollerado. Admittedly, Natalie and I were quite tired so we took our place among the “Sitters” in the park while the more energetic Kat took her place with the “Standers” by the stage. The band was amazing and so much fun to watch! They played one of my favorite songs, Juliette, and even started crowd-surfing! After the show we were even able to go behind the stage and meet them. One of our friends, Dave, was able to get his CD signed by them. He was very excited about that.

Now that we had no place in a crowd to save we were able to walk through all of the vendors and see what they had to offer. First off we bought some coffee (for the slowly fading Amy who survives only because of coffee) from the Tim Horton’s booth and some cotton candy, clearly a staple for an event such as this. There were so many shops for us to look through ranging all the way from electronics to didgeridoos.

Sadly the weekend had to end. We all had to leave but there is always next year!

Also, in response to my Queensian colleague Ellen,

Oilthigh na Banrighinn a' Bhanrighinn gu bràth!

I feel ya, sister.

RBG – Spring Paradise Found

If there is ever any doubt whether spring has arrived, your fears can be quelled at the RBG.  I always love going to events throughout the year at the RBG as the beautiful gift shop and indoor & outdoor gardens are a pick me up for all your senses. 

The day I was at the RBG centre, it was a busy place with several tour buses of visitors and many meetings on the go.  The front flower beds were full of yellow and red tulips, a bright welcome to everyone!   I had a meeting in one of the far classrooms, so I had a chance to walk through the Mediterranean Garden – the hyacinths in the greenhouse smelled heavenly.  I buy forced bulbs in winter so the house is filled with that wonderful aroma.  The flowering vines and many other plants were in bloom.   I always find the Mediterranean Garden a hidden oasis with its fish ponds, benches tucked away in quiet corners and canopy of blooming tropical plants. 

The other weekend was Mother’s Day and the café at the gardens served brunch to over 600 people!  Since we finally had some spring-like weather, many people visited the Rock Gardens to see the tulips in bloom.  Once the Tulip Festival finishes, the Lilac Festival begins on the May long weekend and then the Rose Festival follows in June and July in Hendrie Park.

There are so many things to see and do at the Gardens.  I can’t mention them all here, but will give you a taste of things to come:

• Music at the Gardens Summer Concerts: Tranquil Tuesdays and Red Hot Jazz & Cool Blues
• Used Bulb Sale
• Auxiliary Garden Party
• Public Programs: Painting/Canoeing/Gardening
• Facebook Contest (with membership)
• Stargazing
• North American Lily Society Show and Convention
• Garden Tours for RBG Members
• Guest Speakers
• Kids Camps
• Veggie Village: 100 Mile Produce Gardens
• VIA Rail Garden Route Contest
• Photo Contest: Never-ending!
• Meetings
• Garden Shop Sale: June 22nd

We will blog some more about some of the above over the next few months but in the meantime check out their website.               

tourburlgirl