Italian Festival 2009: Hamilton, Ontario

Today was quite an eventful day for me. Wasn’t too bored, or lazy at all. I spent all day pretty well outside. Well, the later half anyway. All afternoon outside. It was a blast. There has been many festivals here this weekend. Three to be exact.

Friday to Sunday there was the WingFest at Hamilton Harbour which looked like a blast with bands, chicken wings, entertainment for the family, carnival, and arts and craft show, boat cruises, fireworks, and what restaurants/ vendors had the best tasting wings. Fun for all to say the least. Honeymoon Sweet, The Spoons, April Wine played at the show, plus many others. I can’t really say anything about a review because I didn’t go. I should have went because it would have been awesome to see the fireworks, and the floating museum – a Canadian warship. Not sure if they’d let me take pictures inside as it’s part of the navy down at Hamilton Harbour. I’ll probably go next year if they have other more popular bands. The radio said that they’re giving Buffalo a run for the money, or well … competition since Buffalo was the first ever place to have a WingFest.

The second festival I went to this weekend was the Turkish Festival down at Gage Park. It was today, Sunday afternoon. It’s really nice to see different cultures, and foods and just overall differences in human beings. Turkish people have my utmost respect. The festival was an all day jamboree of music, dancing, food, and drink. Even though I can only speak english – it was still awesome. I bought a Turkish tea, and a Qur’an. I encourage everyone to go to the festival next year. At least anyone around the area, or at least anyone who wants to go. It was really nice to see a bunch of happy people, and different characteristics of different cultures. I loved it.
I liked it so much, I went back a second time. This time it was quite late in the afternoon, around dinner time. I picked up a Shish Kebab on pita from a food vendor. Originally I wanted a Chicken Shawarma, but they didn’t have anyone there selling any. Then I figured I’d go in line to get a Donair. But, ended up in the kebab line, which was still alright. Albeit, quite expensive, but it was well worth it. I also picked up a Turkish coffee that time, too. Drank about 6 waters throughout the day. It was the perfect day! Coming home from the Turkish festival, I realized that there was a lot of activity at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
I took my dog for a walk around the stadium after getting home, and sure enough – the Italian Festival was a sure sign of the activity. I waited for a few hours, and around 9:30pm I headed over to the stadium with my camera strung around my neck, and patiently awaited for the fireworks. While take a few pictures of the fireworks from the middle walkway in the stadium seats(the walkway), a security guard told me I was a fire hazard standing there taking a picture. So I thought about it, took a few more pictures and went and sat down in the east part of the stands.
Once the fireworks arrived, it was awesome – the pictures started rolling out of the camera. A bit loud, but the display is really awesome. They do a good job every year with the pyrotechnics. The Italian community loves it. The other onlookers love it, too. The italian festival consists of a free concert, Italian merchandise, food, and beer. A lot of  talented musicians play there.

I’m glad I live in such a diverse community. I’m proud to be Canadian. I’ve never said that before, and I’m so glad we have such festivals around. It brings people together in such an event where people can be happy, and be social at the same time. I love different cultures, food, music and happy people. I’ve yet to find a person to tell me stories of how they’ve became to be, or how life was when they were not in Canada. I’d love to hear, and see the expressions of such people. It’s one of the things that interests me the most about people.

Anyway, that was pretty well the extent of my weekend. It was a great weekend. Hopefully tomorrow is just as good.

Here’s a link of the fireworks, and a few shots of the stage area.

Proudly Canadian.
Have a good one.
Until next time.
Justin