Canada Day stuff?

Jon Dalton · #1 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 3:57 AM**

There was very little talk about this today. Did anyone else take part in whatever Hamilton had to offer on our national holiday? It was just another workday for me until I dragged myself out to the Bayfront fireworks around 10. I must confess my lack of enthusiasm for for the whole thing but it is a rare occasion to see the north end streets so full of people and I quite enjoyed that aspect of things. They had Bay St. blocked to traffic shortly past Barton and they were redirecting cars to turn right. Bayfront Park was full at that point and there were even cars all over the grass part at the top. I heard James was closed off as well in the northbound lane. After the fireworks I retired to This Ain't Hollywood (old Copper John's) on James and for the next hour or two there was a steady stream of pedestrians along James and the side streets, and traffic was moving slow.

I guess this is all normal but seeing that action on the streets tonight made me think, there's still a relevance to our historic gathering points that brings people down here, even a few times a year, to weather the 'traffic chaos', even God forbid take a bus and endure the sketch of downtown to be a part of something. Something that for whatever reason isn't happening in the parking lot of Mountain Plaza Mall. I think the waterfront has a pull to it, and that could be capitalized for the rest of downtown.

highwater · #2 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 5:00 AM**

The crowds were lack lustre at Gage Park. More people on stage than in the audience practically. An awesome show though, what little I was able to see of it. Glad to hear there were lots of people at Bayfront.

flar · #3 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 5:09 AM**

Last year I stumbled upon a well attended festival at the Spencer Gorge conservation area. I assume they have something up there every year. It's Hamilton's style to have a bunch of small decentralized festivities.

FairHamilton · #4 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 5:51 AM**

Son's of the Hammer at Gage Park rocked, though we need to have more people out to experience this type of FREE entertainment.

matt602 · #5 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 11:44 AM**

Didn't make it to Bayfront but I took the Barton bus downtown around 8pm and it was packed the entire way from Woodward to downtown. Lots of people milling about downtown as well.

Went for a few too many drinks at the Cat and the Fiddle, which was also pretty filled up (or at least that I can remember)

SteelTown · #6 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 1:05 PM**

I worked yesterday. Going to take Friday off instead.

Went to Bayfront last year and yea it's PACKED! In the past the City used to have fireworks in a bunch of parks. They cut it down to just a single location now.

BrianE · #7 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 1:09 PM**

Went to it's your festival. A good turnout of people until about 3pm when it started to rain. Cleared the crowd pretty good after that. The neighborhood was hopping and popping all day tho. I expect Saturday to be an awsome day for the festival. Calling for Sunshine finally after the last 5 days of rain.

sofasurfer · #8 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 7:57 PM**

I was working

(but will be getting the time back!)

My wife took our little'un down to Gage Park around lunchtime, they were gone for ages - sounds like there was lots for little Hamiltonians to enjoy

Did the fireworks take place? Seemed to be very wet for 'em... some folk let off a few in the park overlooking ours.

Really p1ssed off at missing out on my first Canada Day cos of work, but there'll be plenty of others!

highwater · #9 Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Did the fireworks take place? Seemed to be very wet for 'em... some folk let off a few in the park overlooking ours.

Yes. We saw them on our way home from Gage Park. We usually go to the Bayfront fireworks. If you go next year, I suggest parking as close to Princess Point as you can get and taking the Bayfront trail. You get a great view across the harbour and don't have to contend with the crowds on Bay St. We're fortunate to be able to bike it 'cause the parking can get a little crazy around Princess Point too.

mic67 · #10 Posted **Jul 4, 2009, 2:12 AM**

http://www.itsyourfestival.ca
July 1 to 5 from noon to 11pm according to the ad in view mag.

I was there early evening on Fri (tonight), its a great outing, particularly for the kids.

-foods of the world
-beer tent - looks like Carling is the sponser
- lots of jewlery, sunglasses hats, arts and crafts
- on the band shell stage was Buffy StMarie and then in the field there was an excellent South American Band, Andes music
- some midway rides, minigolf, pony rides with photo option
-shiatsu - massage>hey try it out!!

Basically from the Gage fountain up to the tennis courts with many kiosks in the west side by and under the tree line

mic67