TASTE OF WELLINGTON WEST (FREE!)
Taste what’s new on the ever-changing Wellington West streetscape as 35 restaurants and food shops show off their wares and offer up samples. More than 50 other retail businesses will also take part in the grand sidewalk sale and street fair. To complement the browsing, there’s a classic car show, kids’ play area, bike parade, street performers, and live music. The schedule: car show (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.); live music, street performances, sidewalk sale (11 a.m.to 5 p.m.); bike parade, starting at Hintonburg Community Centre (noon); food samples from restaurants and food shops (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.); Bill Jupp Sextet at the Carleton Tavern ( 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
HARVEST MOON: A NIGHT OF POETRY A-PLENTY
Cube Gallery hosts a poetry-filled evening in support of the League of Canadian Poets. Featured guests include Ian Ferrier, Eric Folsom (poet laureate of Kingston), and Catherine Kidd. There will also be a round robin of readings and performances by local poets, including Susan McMaster, Blaine Marchand, Sandra Ridley, Sergio (Hyfidelik) Gerra, rob mclennan, Ian Keteku, Stephen Brockwell, Ronnie R. Brown, Shane Rhodes, Claudia C. Radmore, Rhonda Douglas, Colin Morton, Rona Shaffran, and Sarah Muse.
The first ever “immortality auction” will be held to help raise funds for the League, with Ian Keteku and Monty Reid auctioned to the highest bidder for a commissioned poem. If you have a birthday, an anniversary, or any event you want to celebrate, bid on a poet to write a poem for you.
Saturday, Sept. 17. 6:30 p.m. start for the apple/pumpkin pies and social. $5 cover. Cube Gallery, 1285 Wellington St. W., 613-728-2111.
FESTIVAL OF FLAVOURS (FREE!)
More food! Visit the streets of Vankleek Hill for a celebration of food and culture. From curries to cakes, sausages to spring rolls, there will be over 50 foodies set up offering samples and recipes. Vankleek Hill Vineyard and Beau’s All Natural Brewery will be on-hand with refreshments. And it won’t all be strolling and stuffing your face: a 320-foot-long table will be set up for those opposed to eating on the go. Sunday, Sept. 18. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vankleek Hill Main Street.
ARMY RUN
Cheer them on and watch the action! More than 16,000 people will hit the streets on Sunday morning for this sold-out race that features a 5K and a half marathon. Whether running or cheering on the runners, it’s a fun, competitive event where those in the Canadian Forces, military friends and families, and civilians run side by side (plus participants get dog tag medals at the finish line, how cool is that?). Keep an eye out for three-time Paralympian medal recipient Jason Dunkerley and Lieutenant Ryan McKenzie (who won gold in 2008 and 2009) during this year’s 5K. Fundraising efforts go towards Canadian Forces Personnel Support programs, which include Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. for the 5K and 9 a.m. for the half marathon. Route starts will be on Laurier Avenue at the corner of Elgin Street.
HUGLI’S BLUEBERRY RANCH
This is the place to be as the leaves change colours and the air turns crisp. Saturday is the launch of Fall Family Fun Activities, which runs until Oct. 30. This seasonal event boasts a plethora of quirky and exciting entertainment that includes pig races on the Hugli’s speedway (seriously!), a six-acre corn maze, plus pirate ship, hay, and pumpkin mazes, pumpkin cannon shows, a hay jump, and puppet shows, among other activities. In the weeks coming up there are also giant pumpkin weigh offs (Sept. 24), giant pumpkin boat races (Sept. 25), and other Halloween-themed events. Sept. 17 to Oct. 30. Weekends $8-$10, weekdays $4, children under two free. 2139 Greenwood Rd., Pembroke, 613-638-1288. www.blueberryranch.ca
7oTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANADIAN WOMEN’S ARMY CORPS (FREE!)
The Canadian Women’s Army Corps was a branch of the army that saw women serve as cooks, mechanics, and administrators in Canada and abroad during World War 2. The head office for CWAC was Goodwin House — now the Canadian office for Amnesty International — in Sandy Hill. To mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of CWAC, which was dismantled in 1964, memorobilia collector Douglas Townend will display his collection and offer a chance to mingle with CWAC veterans. Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl. 819-776-8600.