Fall In, Get Out!
As the days grow shorter and we embrace the fall colours, there’s no shortage of wow-worthy local events happening in and around our fine city. Here are but six that will help you have an awesome autumn.
Have Veggies, Will Travel
If you are thinking about following a path towards plant-based eating, Fraser Fitzgerald – owner/chef of The Planted Fork – is eager to be your guide. Whether you’re looking to expand your repertoire or simply find one great plant-based meal that you can always fall back on, Fitzgerald’s personalized in-home cooking classes will deliver – literally. After a consultation, he will come to your kitchen, groceries in hand, to show you that leafy greens, root vegetables and those little legumes are interesting (and tasty) enough to take centre stage. From $180. noboneskitchen.ca
Good Dirty Fun
The wow-worthy trail system that surrounds Hamilton is a lovely place to commune with nature, but Freewheel Cycle invites local women to kick their communing up a notch. Open to all skill levels, its free weekly Dirt Girls guided mountain bike rides encourage participants to build skills, stamina and friendships while exploring the nearby trails at a new, more exhilarating pace. Check out the website for more info on the Dirt Girls as well as on other weekly group guided rides. Tuesdays through October. Freewheelcycle.com
Belt It Out
While belts have dutifully fulfilled their role as a pants-keeper-upper since the dawn of time, the return of high-waisted jeans has sparked a renewed interest in giving those floppy belt-loops something to do. Forgo fast fashion and head to Tundra Leather in the International Village for its popular belt-making workshop, where students are provided everything needed to make a classic piece that will last a lifetime. Check out the website for info on this and other workshops offered, and to shop Tundra’s range of leather goods (if DIY isn’t your thing). Saturdays, $60-$80. tundraleather.ca
A is for Apple
Looking for something other than almond butter to supplement your daily apple? On Oct. 8, head to Battlefield Park’s Apple Fest to enjoy your snack with a side of history and fun. The full-day outdoor event at the National Historic Site celebrates everything harvest with a little bit of learning, offering games, demos, pumpkin decorating, and likely a few apples. Come early to enjoy the pancake breakfast, and if pastry is your jam, don’t forget to enter the Battlefield Bake-Off. Check out the website for more info. Hamilton.ca/battlefieldhouse
History On Hallowed Ground
Hamilton Cemetery is the oldest public burial ground in the city and serves as the final resting place for many historically significant Hamiltonians. Stories In the Stones walking tours allow participants to pay homage to the movers, shakers, and tragic figures that together helped make the city what it is. Breathing new life into the city’s history, the free 90-minute guided tours cover a variety of topics, including the War of 1812 and the Desjardins railway disaster, allowing visitors to learn about the city on a deeper level. 777 York Blvd., Saturdays 11 a.m. hamilton.ca
Spooky Stroll
You’re not imagining it, things really do go bump in the night, and taking a Hamilton Ghost Walk is a perfect way to learn about what is making all that racket. Covering a variety of topics at multiple ghostly locations, the master storytellers who lead the tours ensure that participants will learn all there is about the city’s spookier side. Side effects of ghost walking may include a greater knowledge of history and sleeping with the lights on. Check out the website for a full list of dates and tours. Until Oct. 30. ghostwalks.com
