At The Walker Team, we’re all about maximizing long weekends—and Simcoe County is bursting with local flair and family fun this Civic Holiday! From live music and vintage engines to pirate adventures and steam-powered spectacles, here are 10 vibrant ways to spend August 1–4.
1. Kempenfest – Free Admission (Concert Tickets Extra)
📍 Barrie Waterfront (Kempenfelt Bay)
Kempenfest returns to Barrie’s waterfront for its 53rd year and continues to be one of Ontario’s biggest summer festivals. You’ll find over 300 artisan vendors, midway rides, food trucks, a youth village, and live music on multiple stages throughout the weekend. The MainStage hosts evening concerts featuring big-name acts—tickets are required for those performances, but daytime access is free.
📍 ODAS Park, Orillia
This thrilling 90-minute circus show features a mix of classic and contemporary acts—including aerial silks, juggling, acrobatics, clowns, and the heart-stopping Globe of Death motorcycle cage. There are multiple showtimes each day, so you can find one that fits into your weekend plans.
3. Essa National Draft Horse Show – $10 General Admission / $25 Per Carload
📍 Essa Agriplex, Thornton
Watch majestic draft horse teams compete in wagon and hitch classes at one of Canada’s top heavy horse shows. This all-weekend event includes junior competitions, food trucks, vendors, and local entertainment. It’s a family-friendly showcase of strength, precision, and tradition—with plenty of rural charm.
4. Living in the Past at Simcoe County Museum – $8 Adults / $6 Seniors & Youth / $4 Children
📍 Simcoe County Museum, Minesing
Every Sunday in the summer, Simcoe County Museum invites guests to explore pioneer life through hands-on demonstrations like blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, rope-making, and candle-dipping. It’s an interactive way to connect with our region’s history—ideal for curious kids and history lovers alike.
5. Pirates of the Bay – $10.62 Admission / Kids Under 6 Free
📍 Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene
On Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Discovery Harbour transforms into a swashbuckling playground with pirate shows, cannon and musket demos, inflatables, crafts, mermaids, and costumed characters roaming the site. Set on a scenic historic naval base, this immersive event is a favourite for families.
6. Georgian Bay Steam Show – $10 (Fri & Mon) / $15 (Sat & Sun) / Kids 12 & Under Free
📍 Cookstown Fairgrounds
A celebration of antique steam engines, tractors, and early machinery! The 60th annual Georgian Bay Steam Show features log-sawing demos, blacksmithing, tractor pulls, live music, kids’ pedal pulls, and more. Don’t miss the crowd-favourite “spark show” by steam engine after dark. Great fun for all ages!
7. North by Northbound – Tickets Required
📍 Side Launch Brewing Company, Collingwood (200 Mountain Road, Unit 1)
Running Friday and Saturday, this two-day music festival highlights local and regional talent in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Expect live performances from bands like Bootlegged and Moondoggy, alongside food vendors and cold drinks in the beer tent. A great way to kick off the long weekend with a laid-back community vibe.
More info: Eventbrite – North by Northbound
8. Friday Harbour Long Weekend Escapes – Free Admission (Activity Fees May Apply)
📍 Friday Harbour, Innisfil
Enjoy live music, lawn games, paddleboard rentals, yoga on the boardwalk, and sunset views at Friday Harbour’s scenic marina village. Restaurants and pop-up vendors add to the festive atmosphere, making it a great destination for a relaxing summer day.
9. Splash ON Water Park – Tickets from $25
📍 Centennial Beach, Barrie
Looking to beat the heat? Splash ON is a giant inflatable water park floating right on Kempenfelt Bay. With climbing walls, slides, and obstacle courses, it’s a thrilling option for families and groups. Sessions are one or two hours long, and life jackets are included with your ticket.
10. Sunflower Experience at Rounds Ranch – $23.49 (Ages 10–64) / $19.99 (Ages 0–2 & 65+)📍 Rounds Ranch, Elmvale
Wander through winding sunflower trails, snap Instagram-worthy photos, and pick your own sunflower bouquet during this vibrant summer celebration. Admission also includes full access to the ranch’s 25+ attractions—like zip lines, giant slides, pedal carts, pony rides, petting barn, and more. A bright, joyful day in the country for all ages.
Wander through winding sunflower trails, snap Instagram-worthy photos, and pick your own sunflower bouquet during this vibrant summer celebration. Admission also includes full access to the ranch’s 25+ attractions—like zip lines, giant slides, pedal carts, pony rides, petting barn, and more. A bright, joyful day in the country for all ages.
Wishing You a Fun-Filled Long Weekend!
From big festivals to small-town charm, this August long weekend is a celebration of community, summer, and local discovery.
Have a safe and sunshine-filled weekend—from all of us at The Walker Team!
