Kitchener-Waterloo

Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: July 4 to 6

This weekend, enjoy K-W Flamenco Fest, enjoy some sweet treats at the Cherry Festival, listen to local musicians at the Hespeler Village Music Festival and experience different performances at the Wellington County Multicultural Festival.

Enjoy sweet treats, and take part in a cherry pie eating contest at the Cherry Festival

baskets of cherries
The Cherry Festival in Kitchener features everything cherries on Saturday. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

Welcome to the first weekend of July and the forecast says it'll be a hot one in our area.

Make it even spicier with DTK Latin Heat where people can learn some dance moves with TenC Dance Co. at Kitchener's city hall Friday night. The free dance lesson happens weekly and starts at 7 p.m.

Friday night also means it's Sunset Sessions time, with a free concert in Vogelsang Green in downtown Kitchener starting at 7 p.m. The musician is a secret until the show starts.

There are two nature journaling hikes at the University of Guelph's arboretum Saturday. One in the morning is for families, one in the afternoon is for individuals. Registration is required and this month the journaling topic will be trees.

The Fergus Buttertart Festival runs Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex.

Friday night, enjoy local bands at the Post Canada Day Punk Party at Maxwell's Concert and Events in Waterloo. The bands performing are: Snailspace, Milhowse, Burnaby and Dew. It's an all-ages, licensed event.

The Kitchener Panthers will face the Toronto Maple Leafs twice this weekend. The first game is Saturday afternoon in Toronto. The second game is Sunday evening at Jack Couch Park in Kitchener.

The Guelph Royals will be in London Friday night, then will host Hamilton on Saturday evening before heading to Barrie Sunday evening.

If you're driving, here are some local gas prices:

K-W Flamenco Fest

Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Registry Theatre in Kitchener and Waterloo Public Square

The day starts with a free intro to flamenco dance class for kids at 11 a.m. at The Registry Theatre. At noon there's a song workshop and then the CalúJules Student Showcase.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., there's Flamenco in the Square in Waterloo and people can watch dancers perform.

Claudia Aguirre and Julian Berg
Claudia Aguirre and Julian Berg run CalúJules, which offers the K-W Flamenco Fest every year. (Joe Pavia/CBC)

Cherry Festival

Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cherry Park, 84 Strange St., Kitchener

This annual family-friendly festival includes lots of cherry themed fun, including food, games and the Cherry Train.

There are other rides, inflatables, mini putt, an antique car show, food trucks and a free architecture-themed activity for kids.

There's music, a magic show with JP Magic, a drum circle, Off The Ropes Wrestling shows and, of course, a cherry pie eating contest.

Hespeler Village Music Festival

Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Forbes Park, Cambridge

There's a full day of music planned in the park. Sandy MacDonald will kick things off, then hear a variety of performances including from: Pan waves, Dirty Pioneers, Mattie Leon, Power Glide, Route 6 and more.

You may also see the Amazing Spider Guy as well as craft and food vendors and the beverage tent.

Wellington County Multicultural Festival

Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wellington County Museum and Archives, 0536 Wellington Road 18, Fergus

This free, family-friendly event features cultural performances, music, activities, food and vendors.

There will also be a special screening of the film She Rises Up, a documentary about women entrepreneurs breaking barriers around the world.

Galt Kiltie concert

Sunday at 7 p.m.

Waterloo Park

Bring your lawn chairs, a snack and something to drink to the park to watch a free concert by the Galt Kiltie Concert Band.

The band is made up of approximately 40 musicians and they perform a wide variety of music from Big Band selections, show tunes, classical and more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Bueckert

Content producer

Kate has been covering issues in southern Ontario for more than 20 years. She is currently the content producer for CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. Email: kate.bueckert@cbc.ca