2019 is shaping up to be an awesome year for fun and activities in Windsor, Ontario.
Being Canada’s southernmost city and having the country’s longest and hottest summers lends itself pretty nicely to being a hotbed of outdoor festivities.
There’s a reason we like to tell people this place is f@#$ing awesome and here’s a short list of 5 things that we’re pretty excited about.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
The brightest, most colourful bike ride in Canada starts another season of fun on May 3.
Friday Night Lights is a bike ride through Windsor that has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings in 2014. Hundreds of colourfully lit bicycles roll along, bells clacking, as they partake in a pub crawl on two wheels. The pack take up the entire street, sometimes stretching several city blocks at a time.
The ride takes place every other Friday from the start of May into October and has riders are constantly trying to outdo each other with their decorations on each ride. If you pay close enough attention, you may catch a glimpse of the couple on a tandem bike with custom built chandelier installed hanging over them as they ride.
Friday Night Lights has become hugely popular across a wide range of ages, regularly reaching over 300 riders on a single go. All ages. All abilities. No judgement. It’s pretty awesome.
Booking in advance is only $5 online. If you decide to show up day of, cost is $10.
MILL ST. MARKET
Do you know what else kicks off May 3? The Mill St. Night Market in Leamington, Ontario!
This fresh set of night markets will be a celebration of the revitalization happening in the town. They’ll be held once monthly from May through November from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
The Mill St. Night Market will feature delicious street food, handcrafted items, vintage clothing and antiques, craft beer and cocktails, local wine and music. They’ll be free for the public to attend and open to all ages.
Market goers will be able to shop at up to 20 vendors who will compliment the businesses already located on that section of the street. There will also be local craft beer and cocktail as well as wine to go along with the live music and delicious eats.
We think this is such a great idea that WindsorEats will be on site with our Traveller serving up margaritas and street corn.
STREET FOOD FARE
Street Food Fare is back! Not only that, but, it’s expanding to two dates in 2019: May 17 and July 12.
Last year, over 3000 people attended to fill themselves with some great looking and tasting foods. This year, there will be street fare to eat like the Mexican street corn we offered last year, tacos and even shucked oysters.
Entry is $2 per person with kids 12 and under free. The event is also dog friendly, so feel free to bring along the fur kids. There’ll even be treats available for them!
URBAN WINE FESTIVAL
A new wine festival is setting up shop in the heart of Windsor. The Urban Wine Festival will take place on June 28 and 29 inside Lanspeary Park. To say we’re excited about this festival is a huge understatement.
In addition to local wines, the festival will also feature wines from around the world.
Tickets are available online for $20 per person.
WHISKYTOWN FESTIVAL
After a successful first go last year, the Whiskytown Festival returns for 2019 and is already getting better.
The showcase of whisky, to be held on August 10 at St. Mary’s Church in the historic Walkerville neighbourhood, has already confirmed multiple brand ambassadors for festival goers to speak with.
Tickets are already available online.
