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Did
you know that the town of Bracebridge boasts 22 waterfalls
within its boundaries?
Discover
the ‘rugged beauty and enchanting history’ of these
waterfalls at the 6th annual Festival of the Falls,
taking place on Friday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 3rd, 2003
in Bracebridge.
Guided
tours of the falls and historic sites in Bracebridge, numerous
children’s and family events, a variety of musical
entertainment, the Lumberjack Competition, and new this year,
a 3-sided rock climbing wall, are all part of the activities
planned for the festival.
Activities
commence Friday evening at 6:30 when the town’s high school
hosts a ‘Water Walker Film Festival’. The official
welcoming ceremony begins Saturday at the Bridge Bay Park at
10am. Bracebridge’s own Town Crier, Bruce Kruger, the Mayor
of Bracebridge, and local entertainer Van Newell, and a parade
of pipers are all part of this opening.
Your
can start earlier, enjoying a traditional pancake breakfast
held at Bracebridge Bay Park from 8am to 11am. The popular
Lumberjack competition starts at 8:30am, and includes pole
climbing, log chopping, axe throwing and much more, including
a relay event. The Bracebridge event has become an important
stop for the competitors, drawing participants from as far
away as Nova Scotia and the U.S.
Once
your appetite is sated and you have been oriented at the
official opening choose from a wide selection of events for
the day.
Take
one of the buses from the Bracebridge Bay Parkette for a
guided tour of the three falls nearby. Guides will be on the
buses. Be sure to bring along your camera. You can also do a
self-guided tour of the falls if you prefer.
Other
guided tours are planned at a number of historic sites with in
the town, including
Woodchester
Villa, (an unusual octagon house) the Bird Mill Pumping
Station, the Hydro Generating plant at Wilson’s Falls, the
Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery, and the Clock Tower, which
allows an interesting view of the historic downtown area. For
the naturalist there’s Bird Watching at Kerr Park from 9am
to noon.
Kids
can take in the Youth Arts and Activity Tent, where drum
building and drumming, workshops, singing, and instrumental on
stage demos are taking place. Many more children’s and
family activities are planned, including a First Nations
experience, Skateboard demos, Canoe rides, (a small fee may
apply), a petting farm, face painting, late 1800’s games,
the Pioneer Power steam show at the Bird Mill Mews, and more.
You may even meet up with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
All
events are free, except where specified. Roving musicians and
clowns, and a number of local school bands are all part of the
planned entertainment for the day. For more information,
including a full event schedule and look at a photo tour of
prior year’s events visit their website at www.muskoka.com/falls.
Or
contact the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, Ph. (705)
645-8121 or the Town of Bracebridge, Ph. (705) 645-5264 or
e-mail info@town.bracebridge.on.ca
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