Things to do in Simcoe County in August
The heat and height of summer is upon us when August rolls around! There is still so much to see and do around the region. Looking for waterfront fun or classic BBQ fare? Or how about taking in a little arts and culture? There’s something for everyone happening around the region this month!
Kempenfest
When: August 3 – 6
Where: Kempenfelt Bay waterfront, Barrie
What Is It: Kempenfest is recognized as being one of the largest outdoor festivals in the province. Browse over 300 artisan vendors, the antique roadshow, enjoy live entertainment, grab a bite to eat from numerous food vendors or create memories at the midway. There’s something for everyone!
www.simcoe.com
Creemore Children’s Festival
When: August 4, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Downtown Creemore
What Is It: Enjoy a day of activities and entertainment for the whole family, including face painting, games, music, entertainment, food and so much more!
creemorechildrensfestival.com
Pirates of the Bay Festival
When: August 4, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene
What Is It: Become a pirate for the day at Discovery Harbour! Walk the plank, learn to speak pirate lingo, enjoy a treasure hunt for dubloons and enter the pirate’s lair for fun activities and games.
www.discoveryharbour.on.ca
The Keys to Collingwood: Street Piano Festival
When: August 4 – September 15
Where: Downtown Collingwood
What Is It: August marks the return of an amazing, public collaboration of music and community in Collingwood. Enjoy the sounds of a variety of musical genres while buskers and entertainers fill the downtown streets.
www.collingwooddowntown.com
Sunday Evening Band Concerts
When: August 5,12,19,26, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Rotary Aqua Theatre, Orillia
What Is It: Sunday Evening Band Concerts is set to bring music back to the bandstand! Don’t miss this night out of live musical entertainment celebrating the region’s musical heritage.
ontarioslakecountry.com
Boots and Hearts Country Music Festival
When: August 9 – 12
Where: Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte
What Is It: Spend the weekend immersed in country music. This four-day festival offers numerous musical performances from some of country music’s hottest stars. Over 30 performers including Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and more!
bootsandhearts.com
Coldwater Steampunk Festival
When: August 10 – 11
Where: Coldwater
What Is It: Calling all lovers of the Steampunk arts and culture – don’t miss this unique celebration showcasing gifted artisans and their passions.
www.steampunkfestivalcoldwater.com
Orillia Waterfront Festival
When: August 10 – 12
Where: Port of Orillia, Orillia
What Is It: A classic in-water boat show set on the picturesque shores of Lake Couchiching. Enjoy an array of boats for viewing, over 100 vendors showcasing watercraft equipment and must-have outdoor products, waterski shows, the Cardboard Boat Race, the Dog Diving Contest and more. Fun for the whole family!
www.orillia.com
45th Annual Alliston Potato Festival
When: August 10 – 12
Where: Alliston Fairgrounds
What Is It: One of the top 100 festivals in Ontario, this event celebrates Alliston’s famous potato-growing heritage. Featuring a market, live entertainment, midway, food vendors and activities for all ages!
www.allistonpotatofestival.com
Sidelaunch Days – Collingwood Harbour Festival
When: August 11 – 12
Where: Collingwood Harbourfront
What Is It: A family event celebrating the joy of recreation on and by the waterfront. Featuring live music, local culinary fare, watersport demonstrations and trials, kids zone and walking course.
www.collingwood.ca/sidelaunchdays
Family Camping Weekend
When: August 11 – 12
Where: Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket
What Is It: The Recreation and Culture Department, in partnership with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, invites you to enjoy an evening of camping under the stars, right in the heart of town. Enjoy all the traditions of camping right at the park! Cost: $15 per person.
www.newmarket.ca/events
5K FoamFest
When: August 11
Where: Lot 2, 3rd Street North, Wasaga Beach
What Is It: This isn’t a hardcore run, it’s a funcore run! Challenge yourself to this 5 km run and obstacle course all while fighting your way through heaping mounds of bubbly foam.
www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-5k-foam-fest-wasaga-beach
Gathering of the Classics
When: August 11
Where: Edenvale Airport, Stayner
What Is It: A gathering of aircrafts from past and present. Come out to the airport to view airplanes up close, speak to the pilots and watch a spectacular airshow.
www.classicaircraft.ca/gathering-of-the-classics
TugFest Georgian Bay
When: August 17-18
Where: Midland Town Dock, Midland
What Is It: A festive day filled with history and family fun, focused around Midland’s marvellous workboats and authentic tugboat vessels.
www.tugfestgeorgianbay.com
20th Annual Downtown Orillia Classic Car Show
When: August 18, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Downtown Orillia
What Is It: Over 400 classic cars will line the streets of downtown Orillia for this spectacular one-day show and shine. Come out to see beautiful restorations of old and new beauties. Enjoy live entertainment, vendor shopping and dining.
www.ontarioslakecountry.com/event/20th-annual-classic-car-show
I Love the 90’s Tour
When: August 18, door open at 5:30 pm
Where: Burl’s Creek Event Ground, Oro-Medonte
What Is It: A popular worldwide tour visiting the community of Oro-Medonte to showcase a lineup of the 90’s most crowd-pleasing acts. Iconic performers include: Vanilla Ice, Salt-N-Pepa, Montell Jordan, Rob Base, Young MC, and Black Sheep
www.ontarioslakecountry.com/event/i-love-the-90s-tour
Carrot Fest
When: August 17 – 18
Where: Downtown Bradford
What Is It: One of the top 100 festivals in Ontario, Carrot Fest celebrates Bradford’s carrot-growing heritage. Featuring live entertainment, a midway, food and craft vendors, and tons of family fun!
www.carrotfest.ca
Wasaga Under Siege
When: August 18 – 19
Where: Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga
What Is It: Commemorating the 204rd anniversary of the sinking of the HMS Nancy, visit naval encampments on the Nancy Island historic site. View re-enactments of the war of 1812 with musket and canon firing, cooking, fashion and surgeon demonstrations. Admission: $5/person/day. Children 12 and under are free!
www.wasagabeachpark.com
Farm Fresh Food Fest
When: August 18 – 20
Where: 4230 Crossland Road, Tiny Township
What Is It: This event is a celebration of agriculture! Learn, shop and eat! Enjoy demonstrations, vendors, numerous food trucks, live entertainment, and fun for all!
www.farmfreshfoodfest.ca
Rhythmfest
When: August 18 – 20
Where: Heritage Park, Barrie
What Is It: Celebrate the universal language of rhythm! Enjoy workshops, vendors and live entertainment that will have you up off your seat moving and joining in!
www.barrie.ca/Culture/Festivals/Pages/Rhythmfest.aspx
Garlic is Great Festival
When: August 18, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Riverwalk Commons, Newmarket
What Is It: This annual celebration of Ontario’s garlic harvest features live cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment, and interaction with Ontario garlic farmers.
www.newmarket.ca/events
Zucchini Mania
When: August 19 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Little Lake Park, Midland
What Is It: Celebrate everything zucchini at Zucchini Mania! Sample numerous zucchini-based products, shop from numerous local vendors, and gather some new culinary inspirations and recipes!
www.zucchinimania.com
Annual Chippewas of Rama First Nations Pow Wow
When: August 24 – 26
Where: John Snake Memorial Multipurpose Grounds, Orillia
What Is It: Celebrate the aboriginal culture at an authentic pow wow with the Chippewas of Rama. Enjoy singers, dancers, drummers, authentic food and crafts and so much more!
calendar.powwows.com/events
The 165th Barrie Fair
When: August 23 – 26
Where: Essa Agriplex, Thornton
What Is It: Celebrating its 164th year running, and in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, this event promises fun for the whole family with a weekend of classic fair fun. The fair’s agricultural heritage brings you livestock demonstrations, home craft competitions, truck and tractor pulls, and a demolition derby. Enjoy live entertainment, a midway, exhibits, vendors, food trucks and more!
essaagriplex.ca/event
Orillia Ribfest
When: August 24 – 26
Where: Tudhope Park, Orillia
What Is It: The northern Heat Rib Series brings this classic rib fest to Orillia’s waterfront. Enjoy mouthwatering barbeque prepared by top chefs as well as other tasty treats and live entertainment.
northernheatribseries.ca/orillia
Dragon Boat Festival
When: August 25, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Heritage Park, Barrie
What Is It: Promoting community spirit, vitality and unity, the dragon boat festival draws the community together in friendly competition. This fun-filled event provides an opportunity for charitable fundraising and local business promotion.
barriedragonboatfestival.ca
Copper Kettle Festival
When: August 25, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown Creemore
What Is It: Celebrate the Creemore Springs brewery, town and beer with live music, wagon rides, kids’ activities, brewery tours, a classic car show, and vendors lining the streets. www.copperkettlefestival.ca
Cycle Camelot
When: August 25
Where: Penetanguishene
What Is It: Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just a beginner, this guided tour offers a scenic route for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy a leisurely cycle through some of the most scenic routes in the province.
cyclecamelot.com