January 2013 Volume 6 Issue 2

Ontario Vis i ted, P.O. Box 272, Cobourg, ON, K9A 4K8, Canada www.ontariovis i ted.ca gary@ontariovis i ted.ca (888) 818-0255

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Thank You!!!

1 Speaking of 2013...

2 Festival Nomad's Report...

3 Come To The Fair!!!

5 Congratulations!

6 Pathways to Peace...

8 Alive and Well in Newmarket...

Thank You !!! By Gary McWilliams, the Festival Nomad

Speaking of 2013...

Once again, the old year ends and a new one begins. Of course, we are always thankful to those people who support us … our advertisers, our festival correspondents, the wonderful people we and our correspondents visited throughout the year, and you, our readers and visitors to our websites. This past year, I am especially thankful for those who helped me through my month long illness and then recovery. Words do not express my true feelings. Judi and I hope that everyone has a healthy and happy 2013!

NOTE: As in past years, we are displaying last year's (2012) Banner Ads. We do this as a "thank you" to our advertisers. Ads are linked to each advertiser's website.

Avonmore Fair

Algoma War of 1812

It is hard to believe that we are now entering our seventh year! A lot has happened over the first six years! What’s incredible is that Judi and I have so much more that we wish to accomplish. New technology and ideas keep flowing and there is always something to do or plan. In the past, I have pre-announced the changes that I had planned to make to our websites and adventures. This year I’m going to just let things happen and then share the excitement with you. With that said, I know that this is going to be a “fun” year. So, let the year begin!

Buckhorn Community Centre

Artfest

Ancaster Fair

Page 2 THE INSIDER

Festival Nomad's Report...

Even though Judi and I were not able to visit a lot of festivals and events, Ontario Visited and its great “Festival Nomads” did. Starting at the beginning of the year, here's a list of the festivals and events visited in 2012 including the name of the "Festival Correspondent" who attended: Winterlude (Ottawa) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Canadian War Museum (Ottawa) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams War of 1812 Bicentennial Exhibition (Ottawa) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Cobourg Winter Festival (Cobourg) ~ Kevin Stuart Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade (Peterborough) ~ Kevin Stuart Canada Blooms (Toronto) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Peterborough Garden Show (Peterborough) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Carassauga Festival of Cultures (Mississauga) ~ Travis & Ina McWilliams Canadian International Military Tattoo (Hamilton) ~ Chris Spraakman Spencerville Mill Heritage Fair (Spencerville) ~ Jan Bonhomme Flight of the Royal George (Bath/Kingston) ~ Jan Bonhomme Celebrate Barrie (Barrie) ~ Kevin Stuart Grail Lady Faire (Bancroft) ~ Tammy Wilson Raid on Gananoque (Gananoque) ~ Thomas Cole City of Newmarket (Newmarket) ~ Carol Law St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Dedications (Various) ~ Jan Bonhomme 200 Years of Peace - Scouts Canada (Niagara-on-the-Lake) ~ Carol Law Orono Chili Cook-Off (Orono) ~ Terry Mulcahy Buckhorn Fine Art Festival (Buckhorn) ~ Jon Law War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration (Lang Pioneer Village, Keene) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Sharon Temple Founders Day (Sharon) ~ Carol Law Codrington Family Night (Codrington) ~ Kevin Stuart Bayfest (Sarnia) ~ Kevin Stuart Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto) ~ Kevin Stuart Norfolk County Fair (Simcoe) ~ Chris Spraakman International Plowing Match 2012 (Waterloo Region) ~ Anne Brooks Lindsay Exhibition (Lindsay) ~ Kevin Stuart Battle of Queenston Heights (Niagara-on-the-Lake) ~ Benn Fisher A Haunting We Will Go (Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London) ~ Anne Brooks Spooky Halloween (Lang Pioneer Village, Keene) ~ Kevin Stuart Please see Festival Nomad's Report ... on page 3

Beaverton Fall Fair

Buckhorn Fine Art Festival

SLF Waterloo Busker CarnivalBinbrook Fair

Cabbagetown Festival

Blessfest - Newmarket

THE INSIDER Page 3Festival Nomad's Report from page 2

Buckhorn Pumpkin Festival (Buckhorn Berry Farm, Buckhorn) ~ Kevin Stuart Cobourg Santa Claus Parade (Cobourg) ~ Gary & Judi McWilliams Christmas By Candlelight (Lang Pioneer Village, Keene) ~ Kevin Stuart Port Hope Santa Claus Parade (Port Hope) ~ Gary McWilliams As I have said previously, our thanks go out to all those "Festival Nomad Correspondents" who helped us in 2012. Now we look towards 2013 and all of the festivals and events that will take place. Judi and I are already planning our "visiting" schedule, as are our Festival Correspondents. The following is a short list of some of up coming festivals and events ~ January 11 - 27, 2013 ~ Niagara Icewine Festival (Niagara Region) January 12 - 20, 2013 ~ Toronto International Boat Show (Toronto) January 19, 2013 ~ Wingfest (Lindsay) January 25 - 27, 2013 ~ Canadian Woodcarving Championship (Hamilton) January 26, 2013 ~ Chocolate & Cheese Festival (Campbellford) January 26, 2013 ~ Polar Bear Winter Festival (Campbellford) January 26 - 27, 2013 ~ Cannington Dog Sled Races (Cannington) January 27, 2013 ~ Snowshoe Festival (Goulais River) January 31 - February 2, 2013 ~ FIS Snowboardcross Worlds Cup (The Blue Mountains) February 1 - 10, 2013 ~ Bon Soo Winter Carnival (Sault Ste Marie) February 2 - 3, 2013 ~ Barrie Winterfest (Barrie) February 14, 2013 ~ Love Train Revue (Richmond Hill) NOTE ~ If you know of any festival or event that should or would like to be listed on either our Ontario Event Calendar and our Ontario Event Finder (search engine) websites, please send their information to us at mailto:gary@ontariofestivalsvisited.ca. Come To The Fair!!!

Canal Railway & Music Festival - Smiths Falls Collingwood Arts & Music

Festival

Carassauga - Mississauga Colourfest - Haliburton

Over the past couple of years we have focused quite a bit of our attention on Ontario’s Agricultural Fairs. This year we are going to go even further. We have become members of the Ontario Agricultural Association of Ontario and are taking out a booth at their annual Conference and Trade Show in February. Please see Come To The Fair!!!... on page 4

Eastern Ontario Events Centre

A Country Christmas Remembered - Spencerville

Page 4 THE INSIDER

Come To The Fair!!!... from page 3

We are looking forward to presenting ourselves to Ontario Agricultural Society’s and their Fairs, Harvest Festivals, Maple Syrup Festivals, Apple Festivals, Pumpkin Festivals, horse shows and the many activities held throughout the year. If any of our readers plan to attend this event, please make sure you come and visit us at our Ontario Visited booth! Congratulations! This year was successful for many festivals, events, attractions, fairs, heritage sites and communities alike. Ontario Visited is please to acknowledge a few of the “winners”…. Lang Pioneer Village Museum was the recipient of the 2012 Peterborough Business Excellence Award for Tourism awarded at the Business Excellence Awards Ceremony held by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a real honour, particularly as we are celebrating our 45th Anniversary this year and we have had such a successful year with some of our highest levels of attendance and revenues yet. In the nine years of the tourism award history, we have been the recipient three times." Joe Corrigan, Lang Pioneer Village Museum Manager, told the crowd as he accepted the award.

Joe Corrigan, Museum Manager, noted proudly that this year there were 200 plus nominees and 51 finalists. ”To be selected as a finalist every time we have been nominated is an achievement in itself. To have won the tourism award every time we have been nominated for it is a major achievement. To have captured fully one third of all the tourism awards ever handed out shows just how much the passion and dedication of our volunteers and staff means to our success and the Museum’s public recognition as one of the Greater Peterborough region’s premier cultural heritage attractions”.

Another proud “winner” was our Grail Springs, Grail Lady Faire, an amazing festival held in Bancroft at Grail Springs. The Hastings County's "Opportunities in Tourism" "HOTie Award" was awarded to Grail Springs, Madeleine Marentette, who won Festival of the Year Tourism Award in recognition of significant achievements made by tourism businesses and organizations within Hastings County.

Georgetown Fall Fair Barrie Fair

Grail Lady Faire

Bancroft

Gardens Plus Peterborough

GONE WRONG Grail Springs

Bancroft Please see Congratulations... on page 5

THE INSIDER Page 5

Congratulations... from page 4

The Hasting County “HOTie Awards" were created to give recognition to tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals who have made significant achievements from September 2011 to August 2012.

We read that the 5th Annual Savour Stratford Perth Culinary Festival, held in September, was awarded the Tourism Event of the Year by Ontario Tourism. The Ontario Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the tourism industry and recognize individuals and organizations who have successfully promoted Ontario as a must-see destination. The awards program featured five marketing awards, two travel journalism awards, two culinary tourism awards and five industry awards of excellence. Winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony held October 23rd at the London Convention Centre.

We are sure there were and are many more, well deserving “winners”. Ontario Visited believes that the communities and visitors to them are the “winners” as we get to travel across Ontario and enjoy the many festivals, events, attractions, heritage sites, fairs, and communities. In our opinion a key component in the success of most these event “winners” are the many, many wonderful “volunteers” who provide a critical and vital part in offering such enjoyable and successful events.

We congratulate all the volunteers, organizers, participants and communities across Ontario. Ontario Visited wishes everyone much success in 2013!

International Plowing

Match 2012

Grimsby Antique Show

Hope Stream

Water Bottles

Love Train Revue Richmond Hill

Ontario Forage Council Forage Focus 2012

Grey Bruce Farmers' Week Jazz & Blues in the

Village - Sarnia

Page 6 THE INSIDER

Time marches on and so do the War of 1812 Bicentennial activities. Many regions in Ontario continue their journey with War of 1812 activities and celebrations …This year promises to be exciting with the Tall Ships 1812 Tour stopping at many Port’s throughout Ontario. Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations will be putting out an early edition of the War of 1812 Celebrations Spring Newsletter … stay tuned for exciting news!

Here are some of the exciting events planned for 2013 ~

The St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance will host February 22-24th 2013, as the towns of Prescott and Ogdensburg commemorate the Battle of Ogdensburg. Moving on to June 14-16 is Brockville – First Port of Call for the Tall Ship Tour followed in with A Regency Wonderland, June 15-July 14. They tell us … “While Canadians mark the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, much of our commemorative programming appeals to a broad range of interests, welcoming Janeites, English Country Dancers, Napoleonic, Regency and War of 1812 re-enactors, alike. If there is one month for you to live Regency, it is next June 14 to July 14 along the St. Lawrence River”.

Our friend, Dave Brunelle, Project Director with Southern Georgian Bay 1812 Region, will be extra busy as they host Wasaga under Siege – Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga Beach and the War of 1812 Tall Ship Rendezvous, Wasaga Beach, Nancy Island Historic Site, Collingwood & Owen Sound.

The City of Toronto celebrates the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Battle of York, April 27, 2013 and The Fort York War of 1812 Festival, June 15-16, 2013.

Pathways to Peace... Our Journey Continues... By Judi McWilliams – Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations

Please see Pathways to Peace... on page 7

Kempenfest - Barrie Lindsay Exhibition

Lindsay Ribfest Kingston Jazz Festival

Lakefield Fair

Mariposa Folk Festival Orillia

THE INSIDER Page 7Pathways to Peace... from page 6

War of 1812 Bicentennial (2013) activities continued...

The Niagara Legacy Council, Discover 1812 hosts The Battle of Fort George, May 25-26. Toronto also celebrates the Redpath Waterfront Festival June20-23rd with the Tall Ships visiting their port.

Another signature event for 2013 is the St. Catharines Tall Ships visit at Port Dalhousie Harbour during June 29-July 1st.

Our friends in the Western Corridor War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance have many events planned, starting with Burlington Heritage Day February 16, 2013 to the Tall Ships appear at the pier in Hamilton June 28-30th, 2013.

New Liskeard Fall Fair The South West Region tell us … “to show the first of a series of advertisements featuring prominent television and film actor Graham Greene. Graham took time out of his busy schedule to shoot a series of videos to promote the Battle of the Thames and several of the other projects here in Chatham-Kent. The major events are scheduled between September 28 and October 6, 2013 and are sure to make the South West Region unforgettable in the legacy of 1812 commemorations”.

McLean Berry Farm Buckhorn Algoma 1812, Sault Ste. Marie hosting the Tall Ships

July 19 to 21, 2013 for "Sails on the St. Marys" an 1812 Tall Ship event at the Roberta Bondar Marina as well as History Fest at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. Also, Algoma1812 hosts September 19 to the 22nd - 1812 Rendezvous at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site.

Norfolk County Fair Merrickville's Jazz Festival Simcoe

Ode'min Giizis - PeterboroughKingsville Migration

Festival Peterborough Concert Band Norwood Fall Fair

Page 8 THE INSIDER

Alive and Well in Newmarket...

Last year I told about the Aurora jazz+ Festival and how it had been treated by the Town of Aurora and politicians. Fortunately that's "old" news and a new chapter is being written by the originators of the festival, George and Sher St. Kitts. I have just received an announcement from George and Sher that a new and better (if that's possible) that a new "jazz+ Festival" is to be launched in York Region this coming year. This is great news for those of us who enjoyed this award winning event. Aurora's loss is Newmarket's gain. Here the web link for the new festival's, soon to be launched, website. (

Newmarket jazz+ Festival

). Yes, that is where this new event is to take

place! Newmarket has a wonderful reputation for working with and holding great events. It is ironic that just a few weeks ago (before the new festival had been announced) that Carol Law, once of terrific "Festival Nomad" Correspondents, wrote an article about Newmarket and its events. Carol, who has lived and worked in Newmarket for many years, has had a lot of experience with Newmarket festivals and events.

Picton Fair St. Lawrence War of 1812

Bicentennial Alliance

Please see Alive and Well in Newmarket... on page 9

Port Hope Fair

Sarnia Lambton County Quinte Exhibition

St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival - Prescott

Southern Georgian Bay Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival - Mississauga War of 1812 Bicentennial

Summer Fun Guide

THE INSIDER Page 9Alive and Well in Newmarket... from page 8

Carol is a long time member of the award winning Newmarket Citizens Band and she and her group have performed many times at area festivals and events throughout the years. Carol is also involved with community events through her work as the volunteer co-ordinator for "Inn From the Cold", a non profit shelter for the homeless. Carol, herself, is in the process of organizing a fund raising event for the "INN". The event is part of the "Coldest Night of the Year" walk to be held on February 23rd. Funds raised in the Newmarket walk will be donated to "Inn From the Cold". Here are the web links to both Inn From the Cold (

Inn From the Cold | York Region Emergency Shelter ) and Coldest Night of the Year (Coldest Night of the Year - Location

War of 1812 Exhibition Canadian War Museum -

Ottawa

) websites. The following is the article written by

Carol Law about festivals and events in Newmarket. "Community celebrating and contributing to a community builds character and strength within that community. Newmarket is alive with community events. In today's hectic, electronic age, community has been redefined. Stroll the Farmer's market, not just for the fresh produce but to visit with your neighbours. Neighbourhoods today are defined by our common interests not just our geographic location. In Newmarket, clubs, organizations, events, and the town work together to create a vibrant community that is our new neighbourhood. The recent success of the Rebel Heartland 1837 re-enactment exemplifies this unique community where resources and interests of many groups were shared and celebrated. When Ninos Kon Tim a unique, blended local First Nations group held a celebration, the whole town was invited, not just to observe but to be a part of the festivities. The word "festival" was first recorded in 1539 and has found to be in use since 1200. Although the history of the word dates back many centuries, festivals are alive and well in Newmarket."

Stellar Literary Festival Oshawa

Toronto Ribfest

Sunset Cruises - Muskoka

Lang Pioneer Village Keene

Ontario Visited

P.O. Box 272 Cobourg, ON K9A 4K8 CANADA

Phone/Fax: Trenton Scottish Irish Festival1-888-818-0255

E-mail: Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival gary@ontariovisited.ca

Hamilton Westben Arts Festival Theatre

Campbellford