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August 27, 2009
When New Meets Old...
Anyone who thinks that new can’t compliment old and still maintain the integrity of old, has never been to Fanshawe Pioneer Village! Fanshawe is a wonderful heritage village that honors the “old” while conforming to modern realities! (More)

August 12, 2009
Search Me...
About a month ago Judi and I were coming home from the Brockville Riverfest. On our way back home we traveled along Highway #2. We reached Trenton at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Just as we reached the eastern outskirts of the city, we heard a roar overhead! (More)

July 18th, 2009
Living History...
On July 1st of this year our 15 year old nephew became a soldier! No, he did not join the Canadian Armed Forces! He did, however, join his fellow students and their history teacher in a re-enactment demonstration at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival. (More)

July 15th, 2009
Special Feature – St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival
Every once in a while we visit an event that is so outstanding that we want to share it with others! The Festival that we attended last Saturday evening was such an event! (More)

July 8th, 2009
Bayside Boutique and Gallery
I am standing in a room surrounded by wonderful original art. Beside me is my longtime friend, floral artist Mary Kendrick. Outside the room’s windows I can see the sun dancing over the wave of a lake as they roll onto the shore! (More)

July 3rd, 2009
Sunset Cruises - Captain Randy Potts
I would not have believed if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! One day last spring I drove to Bracebridge to meet Captain Randy Potts. Randy owns Sunset Cruises and the M.V. Idyllwood (More)

June 30th, 2009
Timber Works - Wood Turning
Back in January I wrote about a couple, Nancy and Rolly Hill that we met at the Kleinburg Binder Twine Festival. It was a wonderful festival, because we also met a fabulous “wood turner”, Arnold Veen! Arnold owns Timber Works Wood Turning and presents his creations all over Southern Ontario. (More)

June 23rd, 2009
McLean Berry Farm
"A short time ago I traveled north to the Buckhorn area to visit the McLean Berry Farm and Sam McLean. This is my article about Sam, his family and their farm." (More)

June10th, 2009
IlluminAqua
On Friday, June 12th Welland’s Merritt Park Theatre hosts the first in a series of seven concerts. IlluminAqua is about to start its 3rd triumphant season. (More)

June 6th, 2009
Special Article... New and Improved!
Hershey Chocolate has now left town and the festival has a new name, but the spirit and tradition lives on! Smiths Falls has always known how to throw a great party ... (More)

June 1st, 2009
Special Article… Special Festival
It has been designated as one of Ontario’s “Top 100 Festivals” by FEO (Festivals and Events Ontario)! It has won numerous awards of excellence! And, it is one of the top 5 festivals that Judi and I have visited! I am talking about the Mississauga Waterfront Festival! (More)

May 15th, 2009
The House That Jack Built…
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a play in Toronto, “The House That Jack Built”. The play was created and produced by members of the Suitcase Theatre Company. I had been invited to see the play by one of its creators, Whitney Smith. It was a “Puppet Musical” and had been developed especially for kids! (More)

May 10th, 2009
Toronto Harbourfront Centre
If you have never been to Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, you have missed a lot of fun and entertainment!. (More)

May 9th, 2009
Choosing Where to Go...
Going to a festival or event is very personal. Where you decide to go will depend on many factors, interests, location, costs, dates, etc. Finding out about festivals and events can be frustrating. (More)

May1st, 2009
Stratford Festival
My earliest memory of the Stratford Festival was when I was a kid in public school! Just getting there was a big adventure! My school friends and I excitedly boarded the school bus and then we were off! (More)

Archived Articles


It Makes Me Wonder Why…
Not often, but sometimes when I approach a crafter, artisan or artist at a festival to take a photo or to talk to them about their creations, I get turned down. (Read More)

Vendors Talk…
A few weeks ago Judi and I had dinner with friends of ours. They were in town (Cobourg) to attend the Cobourg Highland Games as vendors. (Read More)

Road Blocks to Success...
This past weekend I was at a festival helping my sister-in-law set up her art booth. During the set up I talked to an artist acquaintance who I knew participated in a number of shows throughout the year.(Read More)

Pricing Your Event…
Judi and I have been debating lately about the pros and cons of festival and event pricing. There are two thoughts. The first is to include all activities in the admission price, while the other is to price activities separately. (Read More)

Government Funding ...
Ever wonder why some festivals or events are awarded government funding, while others are not! Last week Judi and I visited a festival in eastern Ontario and this topic was discussed. Many festival organizers, who have not received funding, may feel that it is not about what you have but who you know in the government.(Read More)

Go Green...
I’ve talked about it before, but I believe that “Going Green” is not only the right thing to do, but it is also the smart thing to do! Jana Campbell owner of LunchWithoutWaste.com and a leader in “Going Green Products”, tells us in her recent “Practical Tips on how to have a Litter-less Lunch” article (Link: http://www.lunchwithoutwaste.com/LitterlessLunches), pointed out the trend that “more and more people are becoming conscious about how their everyday habits impact the future of the Earth”. (Read More)

There Is No Free Lunch…
Whoever coined the phrase “there is no FREE lunch” (or should I say “no FREE promotion”), must never have worked on a festival or event committee! Getting FREE publicity or promotion is fairly easy. Getting a lot of the “right” kind of FREE publicity is an art! (Read More)

Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) Achievement Awards
Okay, okay, I know it’s a bit early! The FEO Achievement Awards submissions aren’t due until early next year! However, I feel it’s never too early to think about them. As a matter of fact, call me crazy, but I think the award submission process should be started the day you begin planning for your next event! Let me explain. (Read More)

The Way of the Future…
I, and others, have spoken about it before, but I believe that it needs to be re-mentioned! With the economy as low as it is, more families will be staying close to home this summer. That being said, festivals and events will have to become more “kid and family friendly”.(Read More)

Crossing the Line...
At what point do festival or event organizers “cross the line” putting profits (dollars) ahead of value for their attendees? I believe that some organizers eventually loose sight of the things that made their event successful. Most festivals and events in the beginning try to offer more to encourage people to visit their event, but what happens when the event becomes really successful over an extended period? (Read More)

Communities in Peril…
We all know that the economy in North America and, for that matter the world, is in deep recession. As a result this has created great turmoil within communities! Businesses have closed their doors. 1000’s of people have been laid off or worse, lost their jobs. (Read More)

 

 

 


Hot Topics

  • Go Green (More)
  • FEO Achievements Awards (More)
  • Government Funding (More)
  • Crossing The Line (More)
  • Road Blocks to Success
    (More)
  • Family Friendly Festivals (More)
  • Event Pricing (More)
  • Free Publicity? (More)
  • Are Communities In Peril? (More)
  • Vendor's Talk (More)
  • It Makes Me Wonder Why (More)