Heritage Days is so much fun. It is such a great way to experience so many wonderful cultures at once. Between the performances and the food, I am easily sold on attending with the family. Throw in our gorgeous Hawrelak park as the location and you are going to want to come back every year.
The festival this year is from Saturday, August 4 to Monday, August 6.
Times:
-Saturday: Noon to 9pm
-Sunday: 10am to 9pm
-Monday: 10am to 8pm
Here are some tips and info I have picked up from previous years bringing the kids (and baby!)
Admission is free
(Yay!) There is no cost to get in. However, donations for the food bank are very much appreciated, although not obligatory. Any non perishable food items can be collected upon entry.
Getting there is going to take time.
Public transit is the most popular way to get to Hawrelak park, as there is no parking on site during the festival. Buses fill right up, so expect to be standing in line and possibly be waiting 1-2 bus rotations for your turn at the transit station of your choice, especially if you have a stroller, as this takes up more space. Once the bus arrives on site, the line of vehicles dropping people off is very long. Some buses do not have air conditioning, so it can get hot. Bring bottles of water and expect delays. Park & ride locations can be found here.
If you are getting dropped off, the line for drop off is pretty long, and you will have to walk from there to the park. Don’t worry, it’s worth it once you get there!
Dress for the weather.
Shoes, jackets, layers. This weekend calls for rain, clouds, sun, and who knows what else. I suggest layers for everyone, since our weather will change by the hour, the buses are hot, the wind can get cold. And above all else – wear comfortable footwear! You will be walking – a lot.
There are bathrooms on site. Find out where they are before you get there.
Port a potties are set up and they are actually decently clean. Find the location of them beforehand, so you know where the closest one is. There are not signs, although the volunteers should be able to point you in the right direction. They can be quite the walk to get to, so if you have a little one that can’t hold it very long, it’s best to know where they are beforehand. Check out the google map here.
Food tickets are $1 each.
Some food items are more than one ticket though. But the servings are usually pretty big, so sharing is a great option. We found that some tents last year sold out of certain menu items, so watch for them updating their signs, especially if you are waiting in line for something specific.
Some of the food tents do not serve drinks.
If you (or the kids) are thirsty, line up at a drink booth first! Or check that the place you are waiting in line for serves drinks. If you have another adult with you, it might be a good idea to split up to get food & drinks in a timely matter, as lines can be LONG. The food is totally worth it.
There are lots of things for the kids to do.
They shouldn’t get bored. Live performances are happening all over the park throughout the day, and there are several stations set up specifically for the kids to explore. Take a look at the Servus Credit Union tent, or the Fly EIA tent for set activities, which include coloring, making crafts, exploring and playing games.
Bring wipes.
This is just a Mom tip in general for pretty much any destination. But food + drinks + kids (and adults, too) usually means a bit of a mess.
Find out more info on the festival on their official website, here. If you decide to go down with the family, send us a message or comment on one of our posts with some of your favorite foods you try! It’s always good to have tips on what the yummiest choices are when there are so many to pick from!