Autumn

The kids are back home from university for the first time this school year. The family are coming to visit grandma and grandpa. It’s your turn to host the Thanksgiving dinner. Whatever the case, Thanksgiving is coming this weekend, and we have a great idea for how to spend it – have a staycation with your family in Brockville!

Staycations are great because they let you explore your city with new eyes. For residents of Brockville, we take many of our attractions for granted. Take this three day weekend to explore the Brockville area! You won’t be sorry.

Friday, October 11th

Meet Justin Beaver at the Aquatarium

If you haven’t heard yet, the Aquatarium is going to be home to Canada’s next super star – Justin Beaver! Getting to meet Brockville’s next star is a great way to begin your staycation.

Justin is the newest permanent exhibit at the Aquatarium, and there will be a grand reveal for him on Friday, October 11th at 12:30pm. We would recommend visiting the the Aquatarium in the morning, visiting the otters during their snack time (which is around 11:30am) and then head to the Aquatarium theatre around 12:15. At 12:30, the ceremony will begin, with the following people speaking:

• Bill Montgomery
• Michelle Osborne – Executive Director of the Aquatarium
• Major Jason Baker
• Thomas Harder – Director of Animal Husbandry at the Aquatarium

At 1pm, Justin will be revealed and there will be a presentation from the Animal Husbandry Team, and then there will be an educational booth on the 3rd floor pergola until 3pm.

Not able to make it to the grand reveal on Friday? Don’t worry! Your staycation can still include Justin – There will be an education centre set up on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 3:00pm and on the Monday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The beaver presentation time will be 1pm daily during regular operations.

Saturday, October 12th

Pick Some Apples

It’s nearing the end of the apple picking season. Halls Apple Market will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 5:30pm for all your holiday needs! You can pick your own apples from 10am to 4pm. There’s lots to do with the family around Halls Apple Market! You can take a fun wagon ride, pick your own apples, try their signature apple cider, and smell all the wonderful smells from their bakery. Use the apples you pick to to make the dessert for your Thanksgiving dinner. Or if that’s too much time, Halls Apple Market has a wide range of pies and baked goods available for purchase (We won’t tell anyone you didn’t make it! 😉)

Sunday, October 13th

Pumpkinferno

Depending on what day you decide to do your Thanksgiving dinner, Pumpkinferno is a great way to finish a day filled with turkey. Located at Upper Canada Village, you can take a tour through an outdoor art exhibit of over 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins lit up at night along a kilometre long path. With the picturesque 19th century backdrop, you’ll definitely want to bring your camera with you for this one – it’s prime Instagram content!

Pumpkinferno runs from September 27 to October 27th on Thursdays through Sundays. The gates open at 7pm and will be open until 10pm. Pumpkinferno will also be open on Thanksgiving Monday, so this event is one that will fit anywhere within your staycation schedule.

Monday, October 14th

Enjoy the Fall Colours

The weather forecast currently is currently predicted to be a mix of sun and clouds in Brockville for the entire Thanksgiving weekend. It’s the perfect time to get to experience the glorious fall colours!

Last week, we discussed all the different ways you can get to see all the fall colours here in Brockville. Saturday is going to be a great day to check out the different ways to see Brockville. If you’re not sure where to check out? We have a variety of different hikes in the area depending on your comfort level. From the Brock Trail to Rock Dunder, there’s a walk out there that will suit the entire family to wrap up this holiday weekend (and maybe burn off some of that turkey dinner!)