March Fun in K-Town!

News this week - Springer Market Square skating rink is closed for the season.  On one hand, bummer (my older daughter was going to go skating on Friday with school) but on the other hand, spring is here!  The market vendors will soon be in the square selling their wares.

Maple Madness is starting this weekend (March 12) and running through til early April.  This takes place at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.  My younger daughter is going to this with school on Friday.  I've been with the school trips in the past and it's fun and educational for everyone.  Due to the weather, I'd suggest splash pants and rain boots - be prepared for mud!

There's a convention of sorts occurring next weekend (Mar 10-13th).  The King Con festival is taking place around downtown Kingston, but it looks like it's centred around the library.  Many local businesses are involved, and if you click the link above you can find a list of events and sponsors.  There is also a Facebook Page with more details here.

Over March Break Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is holding their annual event at the Frontenac Mall.  Starting on Sunday, Mar 13th, you can see their displays set up in the mall, and there are live shows a few times a day.  They are only there until Wednesday so catch them while you can.  The March Break event is free of charge.

Looking far into the future, one of the things we love doing is catching some "Movies in the Square" on warm summer nights.  DowntownKingston! should be starting to think about what movies to show this season.  They provide a vote so we have a say in what movies we'd like to catch, and if I'm organized enough I'll be sure to craft a post when they do and share the voting page with you, my loyal readers.

There are also lots of concerts and hockey games at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.  I don't follow the hockey much, but I understand the Kingston Frontenacs will be in the playoffs for the OHL.  They've managed to be Eastern Division Champions! (I think that means they have the most points in their division for the regular season...)  That means more games yet to come!  And if you're more into music there are a bunch of concerts coming up.  Tonight is Marianas Trench, but also Metric, Hedley, Santana, Jonny Reid, and James Taylor are all on the docket over the next few months.  There is also free skating March 14th at 1pm as a March Break promotion, and the Science Rendezvous in May.

I'm sure there are many other events or activities happening around town this month.  These are just a sampling (and the ones I've heard about, or may be going to!) of the fun that routinely goes on in K-Town.  If I've left anything out, please tell me in the comments.  I'm always up for local events (especially if they're free!)

Enjoy the month!

~Jess

5 Things To Check Out in Kingston This Winter

Winter is well established now in the Limestone City.  That is not an excuse to pass up the fun winter activities coming up (or already going on) around town.

I'll be the first to admit that winter is not my favourite season.  But now that we've passed the shortest day, and the streetlights don't come on until almost 5pm I think it's time to see what the city has to offer.

1. Skating: We have been to the rink at Market Square once so far this year.  Some years we only make it once.  This year Emma is loving the skating so we're hoping to go a few more times before winter's end.  The city has also got most of the community rinks up and going.  There's a list on the city's website HERE of community staffed and un-staffed rinks.  There is one in our neighbourhood that I don't see on the list so I'm not sure how many others there may be that they don't list.
2. FebFest is fast approaching.  Every February Downtown Kingston puts on this fun event with skating and hockey exhibitions, some snow fun in Confederation Park (ice slides and a snow maze) and this year: free maple candy every day!  This year's fun runs from Feb 4th until the 7th and is mainly centered around Market Square.
3. On Valentine's day the Cataraqui Centre is hosting the band Ambush.  It's a show for kids to introduce their new CD for children.  There are two shows, one at 1:30 and one at 3:30 - the guys will be signing autographs after the shows and there will also be a performance from the Kingston Gymnastic Club.
4. For anyone (or their kids) interested in construction or excavation, go check out the Big Dig.  The Grand Theatre has a blog feed in which they talk about what is going on and how it's affecting the foot traffic (and car traffic) at any point in time.  Right now Princess St is closed to vehicle traffic from Bagot St to Montreal St (the intersection at Montreal is open) and then also closed from Montreal to Sydenham St.  You are able to walk through the fenced areas and see some of what they're doing.  The crews are usually very friendly as well, if you have any questions.  I find it fascinating - the last segment they did was right outside the store where I work and it was constantly changing, the foot paths were different every few days, and the stages of work were so interesting.
   
5. Cantabile Choirs of Kingston is holding a Sing-A-Long concert Sunday February 7th,  Donations are accepted on behalf of Joe's M.I.L.L. and Systema Kingston but admission is free.  The choir is fantastic and who doesn't love a sing-a-long?

Year round there are events at the libraries around town and there are also a ton of museums to visit if the weather isn't so great for being outdoors.  Sledding is popular at some locations around town - Fort Henry Hill, the Reservoir on Third Ave above Victoria St, and anywhere else there's enough of an incline and a few kids.  My kiddos make their own fun in the park across the street from our house - the enthusiasm of my kids for the snow astounds me every year.

And one last thing I just saw on Facebook the other day - Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is again visiting the Frontenac Mall this March Break.  I know that's a big far away yet, but we are always excited to visit Little Ray's exhibits.  We always learn something neat and get to touch some cool animals.  We'll try our best to get there this March Break!

I feel there were more things I was thinking about while I was at work today that I wanted to share, but they've escaped me.  I'll draft a follow-up post if I find more fun things coming up this winter.  And if there is anything I've left out, please post in the comments.