This long weekend in Hamilton will be jam-packed with family-friendly festivals, events and activities, from the Festival of Friends happening in Gage Park, to SWAP Hamilton’s first Sex Workers Film Festival.
Emancipation Day
The Afro-Canadian Caribbean Association Hamilton is hosting a special Emancipation Day event on Aug. 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall. The association says the event is “an opportunity for us to come together, honouring those who have fought for our freedoms, and reaffirm our dedication to a future of equality and justice.” The programming will feature inspirational speakers and performers.
Festival of Friends
The Festival of Friends is back in Gage Park. The Festival of Friends is an outdoor music, art, and crafts festival in Hamilton. It has been produced annually since 1976. Admission to the Festival has always been, and will always remain, organizers say, free to everyone.
The three-day concert series will take place from Aug. 2 to 4. and will feature the Village People, War, the Washboard Union, Crash Test Dummies, and more.
The full schedule is available on the website.
SWAP Hamilton’s Sex Workers’ Film and Arts Festival
Sex Workers Action Program Hamilton has put together its inaugural Sex Workers’ Film and Arts Festival. The goal is to shift the public’s perspective about sex work, says organizer and activist Jelena Vermilion.
Seven films will be screened over two days. The festival starts this evening with Thursday’s programming being played at the Playhouse Cinema, then again at The Westdale Friday evening.
Lucky Lion Night Market
The Lucky Lion Night Market, organized by the Sprout Organization, is returning to Bayfront Park and runs from Aug. 2 to 4. Celebrate Asian culture and sample culinary delights from diverse and talented vendors. Over 40 food vendors will be there. In addition to the cuisine, attendees can stroll through the park and experience the interactive lion dancers and other performances.
Admission is free.
Fairies in the Forest
Join the folks at the Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area for a magical fairy event on Sunday, Aug. 4 and Monday, Aug. 5. Visitors can discover the unique world of the fairies’ tiny lives as they explore the buildings and forests. There will be miniature dioramas of the 1800s, including log houses, Victorian shops and little homes, and features in the woods.
A selection of historical buildings will be open with volunteers dressed in period clothing, providing historical demonstrations and activities.
A reservation is required and can be booked online. Each reservation is for a 2-hour time slot and are for six people maximum.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this long weekend, including Monday, Aug. 5. Many of its aircraft are scheduled to fly Saturday and Sunday, and the historic Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber is scheduled to return to the museum on Monday afternoon from its three-week tour of Western Canada and the U.S.
What’s open and closed
This Monday, Aug. 5., banks, libraries, recreation centres and post offices will be closed.
Buses will operate at a Sunday service level.
Garbage pickups for the week will occur one day later than regularly scheduled, according to the city website.
Community recycling centres and transfer stations will be closed on the civic holiday.
Hamilton Public Library locations are closed on Monday too.
LCBO and Beer Store locations will have adjusted hours for the holidays, and some locations may be closed.
Lime Ridge Mall will be open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m., Eastgate Mall will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jackson Square will be closed, and stores at Centre on Barton will have varying hours.