Things to do in Hamilton this Thanksgiving weekend: Oct. 8 — 10

We are in autumn, jacket-wearing season, as leaves on the trees are changing colour, pumpkin-spiced everything fills the stores and many of us are emotionally contracted to engage in family gatherings this Thanksgiving weekend.

There's also lots to do in Hamilton while the weather is still nice. Here are just some of the events:

Bulldogs home opener

The Hamilton Bulldogs play the Oshawa Generals in their home-openin game in Hamilton's First Ontario Centre on Saturday (Oct. 8). The game starts around 7 p.m. and the first 5,000 fans will get a replica 2022 OHL Champion Bulldogs ring.

Tickets range from $24 to 28 for adults, and kids get in for $15 each.

Apple Festival in Stoney Creek

An apple festival at 77 King St. W Battlefield Park in Stoney Creek will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The free event is outdoors, so bundle up for the chilly morning.

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, games, pumpkin decorating, demonstrations, entertainment, and don't forget to enter the Battlefield Bake-Off.

Advanced polling for Oct. 24 election

It may be a different kind of excitement from other events filling this Thanksgiving weekend — advance polling is open and stations can be found using the City of Hamilton's website here. Advance polls opened today (Friday, Oct. 7), from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tribal Drumming and Herb Walk

The Children's Garden Project is holding a tribal drumming and herb walk Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Children's Garden at Gage Park. Each child will receive their own drum and play during the circle.

Kids will learn drumming techniques, learn to understand beat and rhythm, enjoy playing in a community, and possibly discover a love of drumming and co-operation.

The herb walk will help children and adults identify common plants and herbs that grow around local neighbourhoods. It will also teach about responsible harvesting and preservation while allowing families to enjoy the environment around the Children's Garden.

Rockton's World Fair

The annual Rockton's World Fair is running all Thanksgiving weekend, with live performances, and motocross events and a barbecue planned.

It's being held at the Rockton Agricultural Society on 812 Old Highway with free parking nearby, and a free HSR shuttle to the event from downtown is available. On Monday, it leaves the fair to return to the city at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. only.

Tickets for a weekend pass are available online: $50 for an adult, $20 for a student; for one day, it's $18 for an adult and $15 for a student. Tickets for seniors (age 65 and above) are $15 any day, and kids age five and under enter free.

Arts Centre Second Saturdays

Another free family day event is being held at the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre on Saturday. Every second Saturday from Oct. 8 to Dec. 10 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.), families can tour the galleries or do an activity.

All children must be supervised by an adult.

The Oct. 8 theme is, "Where Did I Come From?" and features lessons with artist, activist and musician Becky Katz.

"In this hands-on workshop, kids and caregivers will use printmaking to think critically about everyday objects. Families will consider how common objects make their way to us through the actions of working people. An object and its journey will become inspiration for printed works of art!"

Desi Adda Diwali Party

If you feel like brushing up on your Bollywood dancing skills, there's a party in the Armenian Community Centre on 191 Barton St. E. in Stoney Creek.

The dancing begins at 5 p.m., and there will be food, dance workshops and some games with prizes.

Good Shepherd Thanksgiving Dinner

Good Shepherd will provide a nutritious "to-go" meal straight from The Good Shepherd Centre kitchen. The hot turkey Thanksgiving dinner, including vegetables and dessert, is free and open to everyone in the community.

It will be served as a takeaway meal on Monday (Oct. 10) from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at The Good Shepherd Centre, 135 Mary St., Hamilton.