Send your calendar submissions (a phone contact number MUST be included) to Diane Tierney – email: dtierney@metroland.com

Thursday, July 1
8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.: Canada Day in Burlington – At Spencer Smith Park at the waterfront downtown the celebration includes performances on two stages, children's activities throughout the day, the Scholars in Collars dog training show and fireworks after dark. Start the day with a 5 km run followed by a pancake breakfast. For details go to www.halton.ca/discovering-halton.

11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Oakville Celebrates Canada Day – Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park with great food, lively entertainment, lots of shopping, and fun activities. The day ends with a concert and fireworks just off the Bronte Pier. For information go to www.brontevillage.net.

11 a.m. -4 p.m.: Strawberry Social by the Lake – Come celebrate Canada Day at Joseph Brant Museum and have some sensational strawberry fun at this colourful event. Take part in games, festive crafts, activities, museum tours and so much more. See special performances and live entertainment; explore the famous trifles & treasures market and have fresh strawberries and ice cream. Admission is free. Call 905-634-3556

12:30 -4 p.m.: Canada Day at Westfield – Tour historical buildings of the village or walk the 120 hectares of nature trails. Celebrate our heritage with famous historical characters. An historical fashion show will take place at 2 p.m. followed by a period dance. For more information, call 1-800-883-0104 or 519-621-8851 or visit www.westfieldheritage.ca.

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Dominion Day Open House – Whitehern Historic House and Garden is recognizing Canada Day with an open house. Pay what you can admission. Call 905-546-2018 for details.

July 1 to September 6
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Season of the Three Sisters – Self guided games and stories, free craft making or win a prize in the discovery hunt at Crawford Lake. Take the boardwalk trail and explore the silent lake waters. Call 905-854-0234 or visit www.conservationhalton.on.ca.

Saturday & Sunday, July 3, 4
12 noon –5 p.m.: Farm Fun for Kids – Country Heritage Park in Milton features a rural celebration with miniature horses, tractor drawn wagon rides, scavenger hunt and prizes, pedal tri-cycles and more. Call 905-878-8151 or visit www.countryheritagepark.com.

July 5-11
During the week of July 5-11, more than 600 National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA) will offer free golf to kids under the age of 16 who are accompanied by a paying adult. Visit www.kidsgolffree.ca or www.ngcoa.ca or call 613-226-3616.

Friday, July 9
12 noon - 2 p.m.: Family Picnic Day – Grandparents and grandchildren alike will enjoy old fashioned family fun, including egg and spoon races, three-legged races, croquet and other outdoor fun. Bring your own picnic and blanket to Whitehern. All you can drink lemonade $1 per person. Call 905-546-2018 for details.

Saturday, July 10
John Burns Memorial Fishing Derby – Catch a big one and win a prize in adult and child categories at Valens Conservation Area. For information call 905-525-2183. Bait and boat rentals available. Go to www.conservationhamilton.ca.

Friday, July 16
6 –10 p.m.: Cruisin’ On a Hot Summer Night – A classic car and motorcycle show in downtown Milton with live bands and late night shopping. Rain or shine. For details go to www.downtownmilton.com.

Downtown Oakville Midnight Madness – Music on every block, strolling entertainers, food and bargains for the 33rd year, presented by Downtown Oakville. For information visit www.oakvilledowntown.com.

Saturday, July 17
9 a.m. -1 p.m.: Victorian Family Picnic – Spend the morning at Dundurn Castle exploring the grounds and historic kitchen garden and make a Victorian garden craft to take home. Pick heirloom produce from the garden to prepare delicious recipes with the cooks in the historic kitchen. Finally, enjoy the selection of dishes out on the beautiful grounds, playing games and making merry. For ages 10 and up. Call 905-546-2872

Sunday, July 18
12:30 - 4 p.m.: Canada and World War Two – Westfield Heritage Village welcomes Canadian World War Two re-enactors to the site honouring the Canadian contribution to the War. A tactical demonstration will take place. Call 1-800-883-0104 or 519-621-8851 or visit www.westfieldheritage.ca.

July 23 – 25
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Christmas in July – Santa has traded in his sleigh for an inner tube during a celebration at Wild Waterworks that includes live music, Christmas-themed food and crafts. At Confederation Park. Call 905-547-6141 or 1-800-555-8775 ext. 5007.

Burlington Jazz Blues Festival – The festival in cooperation with the City of Burlington presents this world-class event free of charge. In addition to music, the festival features an eco symposium, United Way Seniors Day, Holistic Health Fair, Arts & Crafts Showcase, kids zone and the healthy foods of the world court. For information visit www.burlingtonjazzbluesfestival.ca.

Saturday, July 24
An Evening with the Bats – Watch as Mountsberg’s resident bats drop from their daytime roost to begin their nightly hunting for insects. Get up close and personal with bats specimens. This great family event also includes activities such as a puppet show, storytelling, and games. Pre-registration required. To register, email: mtsberg@hrca.on.ca Phone: 905-854-2276

Sunday, July 25
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Golden Horseshoe Live Steamer Days – Catch a ride on a coal-burning steam powered miniature train at the Museum of Steam and Technology. Free outdoor event. Call 905-546-4797

ONGOING EVENTS

Soundsational Summer Series: Milton Concert Band presents four free 90-minutes concerts at the Victoria Park Gazebo at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays July 8, 15, 22 and 29. To find out more visit www.miltonconcertband.com or call 416-508-6106.

All Summer, All Free: - The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre will showcase a summer group exhibition. entitled Adaptation: Between Species, an exhibition, which explores encounters and exchanges between the species. For more information on this free program call 416-973-4949 or visit www.thepowerplant.org

China’s Terracotta Army at ROM: The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army is set to conquer the Royal Ontario Museum. The exhibit showcases one of the most significant archaeological finds in history. Beginning June 26, some of the thousands of the terracotta warriors along with artifacts will be on display. For details visit www.rom.on.ca or call 416-586-8000.

Dinosaur Eggs and Babies: Remarkable Fossils from South Africa – Until July 4, as part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s ongoing Out of the Vaults series offering visitors an opportunity to see exceptional and rarely-seen artifacts, the exhibition displays the oldest fossilized dinosaur eggs with embryos ever found, as well as other impressive discoveries never before displayed to the public. For details visit www.rom.on.ca or call 416-586-8000.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition: Experience dramatic environments inspired by the Harry Potter film sets and see the craftsmanship behind more than 200 authentic costumes and film props at the Ontario Science Centre until September 5. For information call 416-696-1000 or visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.

Midsummer Magic: An exhibition of fairy paintings and prints from The Illustrated Fairy Gazette at Sovereign House, 7 West River St., Bronte, Oakville. Children and fairies welcome. Wear your wings. Fairy refreshments. July 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 14 from 1-4 p.m.Call 905-827-5621.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers): Two hours of adult conversation with other moms, guest speakers, crafty creations. Children newborn to six are cared for in the MOPPETS program, second and fourth Thursdays each month, 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., at St. John United Church 195 East 38th Street, Hamilton. For more info call 289-389-9181 or hamiltonmops@gmail.com.

Music in the Parks: All summer long at various park in Burlington, enjoy a free afternoon or evening of music. The schedule includes a variety of music for all ages. For details, visit www.burlington.ca.

NFB Weekend Workshops and Screenings: Every Saturday in July and August NFB Mediatheque is offering animation workshops for families with a different animation techniques and themes each week. Ages 3 to 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, screenings from noon to 12:30 and workshops for ages 6 to 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Details at www.nfb.ca/mediatheque or call 416-973-3012 to register.

Picnics in Paradise – Pack a picnic and the family enjoy the day exploring the Royal Botanical GardensArboretum, visit the Nature Interpretive Centre, hand feed the chickadees and chipmunks (feed available by donation), enjoy the wide-open grass areas for games and family fun and hike Cootes Paradise Marsh. Saturdays and Sundays until Labour Day. Call 905-527-1158 or visit www.rbg.com for details.

Snoopy Rocks on Ice: Cool off this summer with this rocking skating performance hosted by Snoopy and featuring his friends Lucy, Linus and Charlie Brown at Wonderland Theatre, Canada’s Wonderland. Until September 6, no Wednesday performances. Go to www.canadaswonderland.com for details.

Summer Arts Camp: While the Weston Family Learning Centre is under construction, Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) Summer Camps are offered at neighbouring Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD). Campers aged 6-13 take part in programs that ignite creative imagination on the AGO/OCAD “art campus” - exploring the galleries at the AGO and making art in the OCAD art studios. Visit www.ago.net/summer-camp.

Summer Camps: Toronto’s historic sites offer a range of week-long summer day camps for various ages with a range of themes and activities. For details visit www.toronto.ca/culture/museums.

Summer Music in the Garden: Free concerts, dance performances and tours at the Toronto Music Garden on Thursdays at 7 p.m. until September 19. Take a guided tour or an audio tour, with commentary from the Toronto Music Garden’s designers Yo-Yo Ma and Julie Moir Messervy. Contact 416-973-4000 or www.harbourfrontcentre.com/torontomusicgarden

TD Dream in High Park: Romeo and Juliet, the tale of star-crossed lovers and fighting families is presented in the High Park amphitheatre from June 25 to September 5. Family Day Sundays feature free interactive activities for children, parents and families with backstage tours, crafts, games, meet the cast and more. For details contact family@canadianstage.com or 416-367-8243 ext. 280.

Taming of the Shrew: Shakespeare returns to the Humber July 6 to August 2 presented by Humber River Shakespeare Company for its third season. The performance promises to entertain, delight and inspire with a mix of high adventure and low comedy. The show travels in the Humber and York Region. For details visit www.humberrivershakespeare.ca.

The Fringe: Toronto’s Theatre Fringe Festival: Toronto’s 10-day festival on independent, unjuried theatre includes a Kid’s Venue at the Palmerston Library Theatre in downtown Toronto. From June 30 - July 11. Features 8 shows for children and their families. Visit www.fringetoronto.com for the complete program.

Toronto Conservation: Parks and Black Creek Pioneer Village are open all summer long. Enjoy the facilities of Toronto and Region Conservation and the many activities offered. For information visit www.trca.on.ca.

Weekend Family Fun at the Bata Shoe Museum: Parents, the next time you hear "There's nothing to do!" bring your children aged 3 to 9 over to the Museum to paint a mini-clog, try on shoes, and go on a treasure hunt in the galleries. Every Saturday at 10a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday at 12 noon - 4 p.m. in June. For information call 416-979-7799 or visit www.batashoemuseum.ca

World Routes Summer Festivals: Every weekend from July 1 to September 6, Harbourfront Centre presents a series of free outdoor festivals featuring music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, activities for kids and food in a family-friendly environment. Visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/worldroutes2010 or call 416-973-4000.

Zoo’s Crabby Exhibit: Sharks at Stingray Bay are back with some interesting friends - Horseshoe Crabs. Visit Toronto Zoo for a chance to bond with these sea creatures until October 11. For details visit www.torontozoo.com.