Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Sept. 20 to 22
Well, fall officially arrives on Sunday, but you may not even notice it because there is so much happening this weekend.
The Waterloo Royal Medieval Fair will run Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Waterloo Park. The magical Kingdom of Mearth is made a reality with a day of storytelling, swordplay, music, dancing, vendors and food.
The Uptown Preston Con runs Saturday and will include heroes like Batman and Cambridge's Spider-Guy and Spider Girl.
The Kitchener Market Fall Fair runs Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with carnival games and rides, a drop-in funnel cake making class, live music and the usual farmers market vendors.
Fest2Fall continues Friday night at the Gaslight District in Cambridge with performances from Avalon Stone, Softcult, J.J. Wilde and The Beaches.
The Guelph Friends of the Library book sale also runs all weekend.
Praise the Ward Festival in Guelph will run Saturday with 40 separate concerts, workshops, events and tours in the neighbourhood known as The Ward.
There's also a Downtown Dog Promenade in Guelph Saturday afternoon, with games, a selfie station, portraits, vendors and more.
There are tree plantings and a Meet a Tree event planned in Guelph this weekend, too, as part of the kick-off to National Forest Week.
There's an Indigenous Art Market and Cultural Celebration at the Stratford Perth Museum on Saturday with a number of artistic and food vendors.
Art in the Park will run on Saturday in Elora with artist demonstrations and live entertainment.
On Sunday morning, there's an Autumn Equinox forest bathing session at Huron Natural Area in Kitchener. This mindful stroll along the trails will be led by a certified nature therapy guide.
There are also several fall fairs but the two closest to this area this weekend are Stratford and Grand Valley.
The Kitchener Rangers will head to Brantford on Saturday for a pre-season game against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, the Guelph Storm are on the road to Peterborough on Saturday evening to take on the Petes.
If you need to drive this weekend, here are some local gas prices:
Doors Open Waterloo Region
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Various stops throughout the region
There will be 26 spots on this year's self-guided tour of the region and many of the buildings aren't always open to the public.
Among some of the highlights: the region's ION maintenance facility, Indwell — St. Mark's Place, the Waterloo County Gaol and Governor's House, Middleton Water Pumping Station, OTTO Motors and the Waterloo Coin Society.
Be sure to wear good shoes for walking, take a water bottle and be prepared to wait in line at some of the sites.
The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is among 26 sites that will be open on Saturday as part of Doors Open Waterloo Region. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
Bonus: Culture Days in Guelph
Runs to Oct. 13
Culture Days begin this weekend in Guelph and will include various events, from art workshops to open houses, live performances, workshops, panel discussions, walking tours and a lantern parade.
Schneider Creek Porch Party
Saturday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Schneider Creek neighbourhood, Kitchener
There will be 30 bands on 15 porches as part of this indie music festival. This is the 10th anniversary of the porch party. There's a kitchen jam session at TWB Brewing, a park stage with various performers, the main stage at Schneider Haus and then lots of other performances on the porches in between.
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, snacks and bop around to different spots to enjoy local musicians.
Directions Indigenous Arts Festival
Saturday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Victoria Park, Kitchener
This festival will combine contemporary and traditional Indigenous music and art, vendors and live entertainment including comedy, drag and community building activities.
This free event is hosted by Be-Dah-Bin Gamik and Conestoga Students Inc. and is open to everyone.
Multicultural Festival of Elmira
Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Gibson Park, Elmira
Celebrate diversity in this community with lots of live entertainment including performances from the Indigenous Poets Society, SoulTurks, Waterloo King-Fu Academi, AfroxDance and Rescue Junction, a Mennonite bluegrass band.
There will also be food vendors and an activity area with workshops including drumming, chair yoga and children's entertainment.
People walk through a space in uptown Waterloo where they could write messages on leaves and leave them on lighted trees in the Forest of Dreams installation during a previous Lumen event. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
Lumen
Saturday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Uptown Waterloo
This festival combines light, art and technology. There are various installations throughout uptown, many of which people can interact with to be part of the art.
The event is free and appropriate for all ages. There is a lot to see and do so plan your evening accordingly.
