Festivals in Port Hope Port Hope is host to a plethora of festivals and events year round. Spring brings maple syrup time followed by the crazy Float Your Fanny River race. Warmer weather brings the garden tours, artisans and crafter’s shows and a variety of local events. Canada Day celebrations include a parade, music and entertainment and fireworks. The autumn brings colour and beauty and the annual Agricultural Fair, Jazz Festival and Historic House Tour. Christmas in Port Hope is a busy time of year with a festival of trees, lights in Memorial Park, a Candlelight Walk, and Santa Claus parade.
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny
To commemorate a devastating flood that crippled the downtown in 1980, Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is an exciting ten-kilometer race that takes place April 3rd 2010 on the Ganaraska River, and draws crowds of up to 15,000 spectators.The race includes just about anything imaginable that can float! Visit: www.floatyourfanny.ca
Canada Day Celebration in Port Hope
Port Hope Kinsmen celebrates Canada Day, July 1st, with the annual Calithumpian Parade commencing at 11am at the corner of Ridout and Bramley streets and continuing down Heritage Main Street. Live local entertainment in the Bandshell from noon to 10pm. Line up includes Joe Harvey & Crusin12pm-2pm, L-13 2pm 4pm, Dynamite Steven 4pm - 6pm, Summer House 6pm - 8pm and Marty & the Mojos 8pm - 10pm. There will be food booths, and a beer garden. The Annual Antique Car Show in Rotary Park and Town Hall Parking Lotat 9am and throughout the morning. Fireworks at the Waterfront East Beach commence at 10:15pm.
Estival
A Carnival of Arts, Entertainment, Food and Culture, Estival takes place on July 30th, 31st & August 1st 2010. Free Concert on Friday July 30th, 7pm at the Bandshell featuring 'Crisis Kings'. Park gates open at 11am both Saturday and Sunday for your enjoyment of main stage performances , artist and artisan vendors combined with international food & drink tastings . This year's theme is " The Circus" so there will be magicians, balloon artists, acrobats, and gymnasts to entertain. Feature bands Saturday is Trish Robb a folk singer/songwriter at 7pm, "Cuff the Duke" a country/alternative band at 8pm, and Stephen Fearing finishing off at 9pm. Sunday there will be an amazing fashion event in the afternoon, "My Sweet Patootie" band at 6pm.
Visit: www.porthopeestival.ca.
photo by Phil Ottman
Port Hope Farmers' Market and Arts Festival
Held on the lawns behind Town Hall with up to 35 artists and artisans as well as the Farmers' Market stalls are on display from 9am to 3pm Saturday August 14th, 2010. Shop for handcrafted jewellery, paintings, pottery, hand made clothing, crafts, carvings, beautiful hand hooked rugs and hand knitted items.
Northumberland Hills Studio Tour
Come, take a drive through the Northumberland Hills on an autumn weekend and explore the artistic interpretation of numerous local artists as they open their studios to visitors.
Admission is free. Next tour takes place September 11th, and September 12th 2010. For information and brochures call 905-342-3344, or 905-342-2631 or visit: www.northumberlandstudiotour.com
Port Hope Fall Fair
One of Canada's longest running fall fairs, celebrating its 179th anniversary this year. The fair is held September 17th-19th at the Agricultural Town Park. Attractions include the midway, antique car and tractor shows, horse shows, dog agility trials, demolition derby, blacksmithing and milking demonstrations, exhibitions, stage entertainment and much more. Visit: www.porthopefair.com/
The All-Canadian Jazz Festival
From Friday September 24th through to Sunday September 26th . This is a unique gathering of leading jazz musicians from across the country. Festivalgoers can experience it all: enjoying concerts by Canadian jazz headliners; marching in the Saturday Walton Street Jazz Parade; and celebrating the energy of the Young Jazz Showcase. For further information call the Festival Office at 905-885-1938 or visit: www.allcanadianjazz.ca
Port Hope Historic House Tour
From the Municipality's extensive collection of heritage buildings, eight private homes plus other public buildings of particular architectural merit are selected each year for what is now the oldest and largest house tour in Canada. The tour will be held Saturday, October 2nd, 2010. Tickets are limited, and one is advised to purchase prior to the end of August. The tour is sponsored by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario , Port Hope Branch. For further information call: 905-885-7929. or visit: www.acoporthope.ca
Port Hope Olde Tyme Christmas
Come to historic Port Hope this Christmas season and be transformed back in time. All the windows in the shopping district are decorated in an old fashioned theme for the holidays. Merchants are dress in Victorian garb, and visitors are invited to dress in costume to help us celebrate this magical time of year!
Nov. 19th-21st - Harvest of Christmas Delights & Gathering of the Greens. Artist's creations show & sale at the home of Kathryn Mcholm, village of Welcome.
26th - Downtown Midnight Madness
Nov. 26th - Dec. 19th Capitol Christmas Festival of Trees -
drop by the Capitol Theatre and view over 75 beautifully decorated trees (available for raffle). Thousands of lights decorated the theatre, enjoy a hot chocolate and cider.
Nov. 26th Candlelight Walk and Carol Singing 7 pm
Carolers meet at the corner of Pine and Walton Street to receive their candles, and then parade down main street to Memorial Park for refreshments and the lighting ceremony.
Nov. 26th Candlelight Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Thousands of lights decorate trees and a Victorian Village in Port Hope Memorial Park for your viewing pleasure until Jan. 2nd.
Nov. 26th, 27th, 28th Kinette Christmas General Store
Crafts, baking and Christmas gifts ideas held in the Knights of Columbus Building.
Nov. 27th Santa Claus Parade 1 p.m.
Dec. 4th - 19th Capitol Theatre Pantomime of Snow White and the Seven Little People - this hilarious fractured fairy tale is for the entire family.
Dec. 11th Christmas Market Town Park Recreation Centre 10am-4pm.
905-885-2004 or 1-888-434-5092
