Northern Lights Festival Boreal

Hey!
I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

One of the most highly anticipated summer events of the year has always been the Northern Lights Festival Boreal. Amanda and I arrived at the Festival at around 1:30pm just in time to catch some musical acts taking place on the various stages located around the grounds. With Bell Park undergoing a major face lift, this year’s festival took place at Laurentain University, which happens to be celebrating their 50th year reunion. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect with the new venue, but I was surprised that it was just as good as Bell Park minus the view of Ramsey Lake.

The Northern Lights Festival Boreal is always my favourite festival of the summer, I always look forward to it every year. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and it was extremely hot. I was shocked at how fast the festival filled up with people from all around North America and Europe as well. Everyone looked like they were having a great time. They had a childrens stage set up with musical acts for children. They were all up dancing and singing along -it was great to see them having so much fun. They had another two stages set up with different musical acts happening throughout the day. Then there was a main stage for the nightly entertainment with the beer tent. So much happening at one time….what an event.

Vendors were located throughout the site selling clothing, jewlery, and different arts and crafts. There were so many neat things to see and do. Of course what’s an event without a food court area.. They had everything from Nana's Kettle Corn, Beavertails, and My Thai Palace plus so much more, let’s put it this way, no one went home hungry, It was difficult to pick one place to snack from. Once again the Northern Lights Festival Boreal was a hit. If you didn't get the chance to check it out this summer, I suggest you try for next summer with our newly constructed amphitheater on July 8-10 2011. Its a great three days of music, art and fun! Hope to see you next year.

Italian Festival

This past weekend (July 9-11), the Italian Festival took place at the Caruso Club. Like I said last year, I always look forward to the Italian Festival because I am Italian. There’s so much to do at the festival, A lot of which takes place at night, but there is still a wide variety of events happening throughout the day.

Amanda and I took the opportunity to show up at the Caruso Club at noon, just in time for lunch (we planned it that way of course ;) ). You will never go hungry at the Italian Festival because there is so much food to offer, just the way I like it. Friday nights supper had a unique twist to it. On the menu they were serving various types of dishes from the different regions of Italy. For example, from the region of Calabria (where my nonna and nonno were from) they were serving up Backala and Polenta ( Cod and cornmeal), although I never got the chance to sample it, my dad said it was delicious when he was a young boy. That was followed by the crowning of Miss Teen Caruso and Miss Caruso along with Mr. Caruso.

On Saturday they were serving porketta sandwiches (which were absolutely delicious) and sausages. Both looked extremely yummy, but I just had to go for the porketta sandwich this time. It gets even better at dinner when they have their HUGE pasta dinner, it is absolutely amazing. Nothing like a good home cooked Italian meal. Following the Pasta Dinner night, the tables were cleared and the stage was set for their talent show. The night was filled will music and talent acts.

The festival is great for every age. There is a kid zone set up for the children, a stage set up for live music, and a tent set up with lots of seating for everyone to enjoy their favourite beverage…if you know what I mean.

Ontario Summer Games 2010

As some of you might already know the Ontario Summer Games are coming to Sudbury this summer August 10-13. The Ontario Games is the largest multi-sport event in the province; it prepares the athletes under 22 for national and international competition. There are going to be over 3,650 athletes, coaches and officials. This is a great opportunity to showcase what Sudbury has to offer.

I am a crazy sports fan and I couldn't be more excited for the games to begin! I personally had the opportunity to participate in the Ontario Winter Games a couple years back in female hockey. It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget……, we actually came second place! I’m sure this up and coming athletes will share in the same experience I once did.

Sudbury has so much to offer, beautiful lakes, great tourist attractions (Science North for one) and excellent restaurants.

The Ontario Summer Games will feature 32 official sports events being held at nearly 40 different venues around Sudbury.

I am definitely going out to catch some of the games. But choosing won’t come easy as there are so many? Beach volleyball is always entertaining to watch. I’ve never experienced Fencing, Rugby, Rifle or Sailing- so I really want to check all those out. But whatever sport you decide to choose one thing you shouldn’t forget is your sunscreen, as Sudbury is one of many communities that boast the most hours of sunshine per year in Canada.
Come on Sudbury let’s get excited about the games!!

Hope to see you all there :)

For more information please visit their website: http://www.2010ontariosummergames.ca/

Canada Day Celebrations

I hope everyone had a fabulous Canada Day.

I know I sure did! The weather was great and there were so many celebrations happening around Sudbury.

First, Amanda and I went to the Sudbury Arena to join in on their Canada Day Celebrations.

The arena was packed with people wearing red and white-it was definiately the place to be.

Amanda and I arrived at the Sudbury Arena around 11:00am, just in time for the stage acts and all the amazing food. Each year the Sudbury Arena hosts Canada Day Celebrations. Inside they have a stage set up with performing arts. They have performances by Happiness is Dancing (a local dance studio), Ukrainian Dancers, Irish Dancers and the list goes on and on- they are all amazing performances. It is great to see dances from different cultures because they are all so unique and entertaining. There was such diversity in the Sudbury Arena yesterday it was amazing. Amanda and I were talking to a group of people from Saudi Arabia, it was intriguing to listen to them talk about their culture.

So, I mentioned food earlier...the Sudbury Arena is FILLED with delicious food from around the world. There is probably about 30-40 booths set up with food from around the world. The smell in that place is mouthwatering! If you love food like me, it's another reason why the Sudbury Arena was the place to be on Canada Day. You could eat for hours! One year I am going to see if I can try food from every single booth set up. I will have to start training my body for that right now, because there is just SO much food.

Science North also had Canada Day Celebrations taking place during the day and at night. Kevin and Sarah went to Science North while Amanda and I were at the Sudbury Arena. They said they had an amazing time as well. Science North has a main stage set up with bands playing throughout the day. They have a lot of activities for the whole family. There is a lot to see and do. They end the night off with fireworks at around 10:00pm. I went to see the fireworks (I wasn't missing those)- they were amazing!

Well this wraps another amazing Canada Day. I hope everyone was able to check out the Sudbury Arena or Science North or both!
:)