Ribs, shopping, cars and more
It won’t be long before the wafting scents of smoke and slow-cooked meat from Rockin’ Rotary Ribs & Brews Bowmanville reward you with savoury creations by masters of the grill. But that’s just one of several must-attend events I look forward to each year, along with other members of our welcoming community.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the following (and if you see me, be sure to say ‘hi’):
Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11: Rockin’ Rotary Ribs & Brews Bowmanville
This popular event celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and in a new location: Clarington Fields at Baseline and Green Roads. Fancy yourself a bit of a food critic? You’re invited to be a judge as eight ribbers from across North America vie for ribfest supremacy. Their fate is in your sticky hands!
The event also brings together craft beer brewers from across the province and you can place your vote for ‘People’s Choice Beer’ on Friday and Saturday. As always, Ribs & Brews features great entertainment, including the Practically Hip and Fleetwood Mac Mania. This year’s event features more shuttle services, more parking, and more space overall.
The event is organized by the good folks at the Bowmanville Rotary Club and all of the money raised supports worthy causes, such as respite care for local families with special needs, the eradication of polio and providing clean drinking water to Third World villages.
http://www.bowmanvillerotaryclub.org/
Saturday, June 10: Doors Open Clarington
Unlock a piece of our community history and discover the Village of Kendal and surrounding area, including such sites as Brimacombe, Dare 2 Dream Farm, Ganaraska Wind Farm and Harvey Jackson Memorial Park (donated by parents in memory of their 24-year-old son, who was killed in action during the First World War).
You can also check out Kendal Community Centre (which was a schoolhouse from 1965-99) and Kirby Schoolhouse – Clarke Museum (featuring original blackboards and desks). Doors Open Ontario showcases the buildings, natural spaces, infrastructure and cultural landscapes that shape and define our communities.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/Events/Clarington.aspx
Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18: VARAC Vintage Grand Prix
Treat dad this Father’s Day weekend with a trip to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park to see beautifully-restored cars from the past 50+ years racing on the world-famous Grand Prix circuit located right here in our community. The event is organized by the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC).
https://canadiantiremotorsportpark.com/pages/canadian-historic-grand-prix.
Friday, June 16: Food Truck Friday
Sample gourmet street food for lunch, dinner or a late night snack at Food Truck Friday at Summerfest, hosted by the Bowmanville Business Centre. With food trucks from across the province set to roll into historic downtown Bowmanville, you’ll want to take your appetite to this culinary adventure!
https://bowmanville.com/events/food-truck-friday.
Saturday, June 17: Summerfest
Historic downtown Bowmanville’s three-day annual sidewalk sale shopping extravaganza kicks off Thursday and takes centre stage Saturday, when four city blocks become a pedestrian-only zone. Check out the vintage and classic cars during the Rick Patterson Memorial Show and Shine.
http://bowmanville.com/events/summerfest.
Saturday, July 1: Canada 150 Celebrations
Pull out your red and white! The Municipality of Clarington celebrates Canada Day in recognition of the true north strong and free’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Drop by the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex from 6 to 10 p.m. for live music, food and activities, including a closing fireworks show.
http://calendar.clarington.net/Default/Detail/2017-07-01-Clarington-Celebrates-Canada-150
Other events
The Outdoor Concert Series, held every Thursday from mid-June through the end of August in Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle and Newtonville, is also among the events you’ll want to enjoy this summer. Check out the Municipality of Clarington’s events calendar to learn more.
