Many of our parks hibernate through the winter, but for others, the fun’s just getting started!
From Victorian farmhouses to dryland dogsledding, we’ve got some exciting events this November and December!
Watch a dogsledding derby at MacGregor Point Provincial Park
If you’re looking for excitement, c’mon out to MacGregor Point‘s Dryland Sled Dog Derby, November 9-10, 2019.
Cheer on the racers and learn about their incredible sport! Races start around 9:00 am and finish around 3:00 pm.
Lunch will be available for purchase from the Friends of MacGregor Point – come support your Friends!
Please leave your pets at home.
Celebrate “Christmas at Presqu’ile”
Christmas at Presqu’ile is held in Presqu’ile Provincial Park (near Brighton), and the show and sale is one of Ontario’s best, attracting thousands.
The event runs throughout the first two weekends in November and the Wednesday in between (November 2-3, November 6, and November 9-10, 2019).
Come early. Close to 150 artists are represented this year, and the Christmas Tearoom (along with its famous rum cake) is back!
Entry is free, and includes access to the park, as well as parking. This is a Friends of Presqu’ile fundraising event.
Citizen science at Pinery Provincial Park
If you’re a budding birdwatcher, don’t miss the annual Christmas Bird Count at Pinery Provincial Park on Lake Huron. This year’s date is December 14, 2019.
North America’s oldest citizen survey has been taking place every December since 1900. Across the continent, thousands of volunteers count every bird they see or hear in a day. The amount of data collected is far more than scientists could do on their own and is invaluable to preserving species.
Pinery’s Christmas Bird Count requires being able to tolerate cold conditions for prolonged periods as surveying takes place outdoors, beginning before dawn for owls and continuing until late afternoon. If snowy conditions prevail, hiking in snow or using snow-shoes may be required.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the Visitor Centre (519-243-8574) early to learn more about the day, to share your birding experience level, and to get a better understanding of how you can assist with this Citizen Science Program!
Celebrate winter at Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s Victorian Christmas
A special holiday treat awaits you and your family! Take a step back in time to the year 1900 to visit a Victorian homestead during the Christmas season. Spruce Lane Farm at Bronte Creek Provincial Park will be trimmed and decorated in all its seasonal splendor.
Your Victorian Christmas experience will include traditional Christmas games and activities, designed for all different age groups from toddlers to adults. Make hands-on crafts with daily special feature crafts where you will get to see and use historic tools and skills to create your own take home souvenirs.
Enjoy touring the elegantly decorated Spruce Lane Farmhouse and experience seasonal stories and songs in the parlor, learning about the holiday traditions of the Victorian era!
The 2019 festival runs December 27-30 and January 3-5, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (weather permitting). More information here.
P.S. Don’t miss Bronte Creek’s New Year’s Eve Coyote Howl!