In Guelph for the summer?
Our writers compiled the best places to visit and favourite festivals to attend in and around Guelph, and included some tips on how to stay cool in the heat. And don’t forget to listen to our Summer Songs playlist on Spotify while you’re on the road there!
Beautiful places for a day trip are just around the corner
By Leslie Thompson
Rockwood
If you head down York Road towards Victoria Road and keep going, you’ll reach the small town of Rockwood. Just before the town, there’s a sign that says “Rockwood Conservation Area.” Hang a right here and you’ll find the entrance. There’s an awesome lake where you can go canoeing as well as a bunch of walking trails.
Fun fact: Disney’s Camp Rock was filmed here. Don’t pretend you’re not geeking out a little bit.
Elora
The town of Elora is bustling in the summer, especially on weekends. There are some super cute restaurants here as well as ice cream stores and shops. A walk along the main street is adorable and free, but if you have some money to spare, grab some food at the Elora Brewing Company or check out the Elora Mews, a tiny shopping center near the historic Elora Mill.
Elora Gorge/River
The river in Elora makes for some great exploring. If you head past the Mill and up the hill (and fetch a pail of water, just joking), you should find a bunch of cars parked in a roundabout on your left. There’s an entrance off to the right where you descend some rock stairs and find yourself by the river. You can walk through the stream, or head down to the main part of the river to swim.
Pro tip: you can rent tubes from the Grand River Conservation Authority and explore the river by tubing!
Elora Quarry
The man-made Elora Quarry is great for a summer’s day. It’s a bit farther down the road, but if you plug “Elora Quarry” into your GPS, you’ll get there in no time. This spot is super fun and features some smaller areas that you can jump off of into the water. Just note though that jumping from the higher surrounding cliffs is not permitted and is dangerous. There is also a nice area to sunbathe when you’re done swimming.
St. Jacobs
The small town of St. Jacobs has an adorable main street with quaint shops and restaurants. The highlight of the area, however, is the farmers’ market, located three kilometres south of the town. The market is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and in the summer it’s open on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are also some awesome local vendors to check out and amazing food to enjoy!
Summer hacks: How to keep sand out of your snacks and your cracks
By Tiann Nantais
With no school and hot weather (usually), summer can be the best season of the year for many of us. Going to the beach and road trips — two of my favourite activities — are so much easier when you’re not freezing your buns off. With that being said, the summer season does come with its own challenges. Here are a few tips to help you keep your drinks cold and your cracks sand-free this summer.
1. Keep your phone dry and free from sand at the beach by putting it in a plastic bag. You can still use the touch screen through the plastic. Just make sure to keep it out of the sun as well so it doesn’t overheat.
2. Hate those little ice crystals in your ice cream? Put your ice cream container in a large freezer bag before sticking it in the freezer. Works every time.
3. If you forget to put your drinks in the fridge ahead of time, or you simply run out of cold ones, wrap the can or bottle in a wet paper towel and then place it in the freezer for 10 minutes. The freezing paper towel up against the bottle will chill your drink in record time. Bam, science!
4. Ice cubes are great for keeping a drink cold, but sometimes when they melt they can dilute your delicious beverage. Try using frozen fruit as a substitute, or pour juice into an ice cube tray to prevent your drinks from getting watery.
5. Hate those painful sunburns? Try staying inside all summer long! Like abstinence, it’s the only method that’s 100 per cent effective.
6. To keep sand from getting in all those awkward places, try… just kidding — there’s no solution. Enjoy that sandy crack.
Guelph festivals that will keep you entertained all summer
By Karen K. Tran
There are plenty of festivals in and around Guelph to keep you entertained for every month of the summer. Whether it’s music, literary arts, or a cultural festival, there’s something new for everyone.
Many of the festivals provide shuttle buses and volunteer opportunities so you can sometimes get into the show for free. Here are a few festivals close to Guelph that are worth visiting.
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Guelph & District Multicultural Festival
WHEN: June 8 to 10
WHERE: Riverside Park, Guelph
PRICE: Free
WHAT TO EXPECT: Family event featuring cultural performances, food from around the globe, a traditional outfit parade, children’s activities, Highland games, and midway rides.
Hillside Festival
WHEN: July 13 to 15
WHERE: Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph
PRICE: Weekend passes starting at $129
WHAT TO EXPECT: A local favourite, Hillside Festival is lovingly referred to as the “hippie festival” by festivalgoers. Their green initiatives are some of the best in the business and the festival organizes much more than just musical performances. Between visiting the spoken word stage, attending a DIY workshop, and listening to some local or internationally-acclaimed tunes, there’s lots to see and do.
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Vans Warped Tour
WHEN: July 17
WHERE: The Flats at Budweiser Stage, Toronto
PRICE: $59.50
WHAT TO EXPECT: It’s the final cross-country run of the legendary touring rock festival, so you can expect this year’s Warped Tour to be the best one yet. The festival is known for its unpredictability when it comes to their performance schedule — which isn’t released until the day of — so get there early because you never know what time your favourite band may be playing and if there will be any surprise guests!
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: Sum 41, Mayday Parade, 3OH!3, Simple Plan, Tonight Alive, The Maine, Silverstein
Riverfest Elora
WHEN: Aug. 17 to 19
WHERE: Bissell Park, Elora
PRICE: Weekend passes $130
WHAT TO EXPECT: This year’s iteration of Riverfest Elora celebrates their 10th anniversary, and the festival organizers did not disappoint with their lineup. Not only is there an emphasis on Canadian acts and local talent, but over 50 per cent of the performers on the lineup include at least one woman as a member. That’s significant considering that the music industry is still dominated by men.
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: The Flaming Lips, Blue Rodeo, Carly Rae Jepsen, July Talk, Bedouin Soundclash, Dear Rouge
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Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
WHEN: Sept. 7 to 9
WHERE: Village of Eden Mills
PRICE: $20; $15 students (advanced tickets)
WHAT TO EXPECT: Dozens of acclaimed and emerging authors and poets visit this annual festival for readings and book signings. The festival includes programming for children, teens, and adults. Past visiting authors include Margaret Atwood, Miriam Toews, Emma Donoghue, and Naomi Klein.
Guelph Jazz Festival
WHEN: Sept. 12 to 16
WHERE: Various venues around Guelph
PRICE: Ranging from $10 to $30, or free, depending on the scheduled event
WHAT TO EXPECT: Now in its 25th year, the annual five-day festival has consistently strived to make its program accessible to everyone by offering free and affordable pricing for their events, and by engaging audiences through educational initiatives.
Summer Songs
Sarah Seukeran & Karen K. Tran
1. Brand New — Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake
2. Flat Champagne — Dan Caplen, RAY BLK
3. Summerboy — Lady Gaga
4. Tuesday on the Rocks — KES And The Band
5. Out Of Time — Skosgrå
6. Up Top — Busty and the Bass
7. Island In The Sun — Weezer
8. Ocean Avenue — Yellowcard
9. High of 75 — Relient K
10. Rebel Sun — Beach Weather
Listen to this playlist on Spotify here!