Labour Day always feels bittersweet. It marks the end of summer’s slow, carefree days and the beginning of school lunches, early mornings, and packed calendars. Usually, I’m ready for the routine, but this year, it all came a little too fast. Still, there’s a quiet excitement in the air. A new school year, a fresh start.

This week, our family is squeezing in one last adventure with a road trip to Ottawa for the annual hot air balloon festival in Gatineau Park. Follow along on our Instagram for updates from our final summer hoorah!

My top 5 picks for the week:

1. 🐸 30th Annual Humber River Frog Race (2000 frogs racing!)

2. 👕 Adidas Back to School Bash (free haircuts & face painting!)

3. ⭐ David Dunlap Observatory Tours (Canada's largest telescope!)

4. 🎎 Uptown Asian Festival (illumination shows & lion dances)

5. 🎪 DTM Kids Block Party (unlimited carousel rides!)

Here’s to one last long weekend and the season ahead. Happy Labour Day!-

-Mayhem Mamas

⚠️ Quick reminder: Registration for fall recreational programming across York Region opens this week! Check out last week's newsletter for direct links to your municipality's programming and registration timing.

🎬 Aurora's Movies in the Park: Toy Story | AURORA
Thursday, August 28 | 7:15 PM–10:30 PM (activities start 7:15 PM, movie starts 8:15 PM)
Location: Aurora Town Park
Cost: FREE | Age: Family
🔗 Event Details
Free outdoor showing of Toy Story with family activities and free popcorn! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Food donations for Aurora Food Pantry appreciated.

🎪 DTM Kids Block Party - Pride of Canada Carousel | MARKHAM
Thursday, August 28 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Pride of Canada Carousel
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Unlimited carousel rides, popcorn, balloon twisting, brain power activities, and community art mural with Creative Genius Academy!

🎵 Splash of Culture - By Mercedes-Benz Newmarket | NEWMARKET
Thursday, August 28 | 7:30 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Newmarket Riverwalk Commons
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Energetic evening of blues, soul, jazz and R&B under the stars! Arrive early for piano performance at 7:30pm. Food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your own seating.

🎬 Starlight Cinema Nights: Paddington in Peru | GEORGINA
Thursday, August 28 | 8:15 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Pefferlaw Lions Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Free outdoor movie screening of the beloved Paddington sequel. Bring your comfy lawn chairs or blankets for this family favorite!

🚂 ON TRACK: Railway Exhibition (Day 1/3) | KING
Thursday, August 28 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: King Heritage & Cultural Centre
Cost: Pay-what-you-wish (KING175 celebration!) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Exhibition on Canada's railway growth with railway-themed play area and activities for children. Special summer pricing!

🛍️ East Gwillimbury Artisan and Farmers Market | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Thursday, August 28 | 2:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Civic Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Connect with local farmers, sweet treats, unique artisan vendors, live music and kids activities in a family-fun atmosphere.

🎵 Concerts in the Park - Old Friends: Simon and Garfunkel | RICHMOND HILL
Thursday, August 28 | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Mill Pond Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
The sweet sounds of summer with live tribute music - last night of Concerts in the Park for 2025!

🎨 Playdough Creations | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Friday, August 29 | 10:15 AM–10:45 AM
Location: Stouffville Library
Cost: FREE Drop-in | Age: Ages 3+
🔗 Event Details
Creative fun with playdough! One container per child, cutters and rollers supplied. Located in Adult Program Room.

🎵 Music on the Street | MARKHAM
Friday, August 29 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Main Street Unionville
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Lively summer music series bringing Main Street Unionville to life! Partnership with Varley Art Gallery, UBIA, and Markham Arts Council.

🎨 Artists in Residence - Mill Pond Gallery (Day 1/3) | RICHMOND HILL
Friday, August 29 | 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Mill Pond Gallery
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Watch artists create their work! See works in progress by Lesley Block and Margaret Buckworth. Drop in often to see the magic happen.

🎎 Uptown Asian Festival (Day 1/4) | RICHMOND HILL
Friday, August 29 | 4:00 PM–10:30 PM
Location: Richmond Green Sport & Park
Cost: $5 for immersive show, Kids 2 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Pan-Asian community celebration with dazzling illumination show, lion and dragon dances, interactive kids zone, and electrifying live performances!

🚂 ON TRACK: Railway Exhibition (Day 2/3) | KING
Friday, August 29 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: King Heritage & Cultural Centre
Cost: Pay-what-you-wish (KING175 celebration!) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Exhibition on Canada's railway growth with railway-themed play area and activities for children.

🏃‍♀️ Sports Day Fest | AURORA
Saturday, August 30 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Location: Stronach Recreational Complex
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Epic sports day with FREE backpack giveaway! Sack races, basketball, skipping, bocce ball, pickleball, plus games, music and food. Perfect back-to-school prep!

🛍️ Main Street Markham Farmers' Market | MARKHAM
Saturday, August 30 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Guardian Pharmacy parking lot
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Fresh local produce, artisanal goods, handcrafted items with weekly live music and family activities. Rain or shine!

🛍️ Newmarket Farmers' Market | NEWMARKET
Saturday, August 30 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Riverwalk Commons
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Connect with local farmers, delicious treats, unique artisans and live music. Open every Saturday until end of October!

👕 Sizzle and Style: Adidas Back to School Bash | VAUGHAN
Saturday, August 30 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Adidas Woodbridge
Cost: FREE (get free ticket for shopping discounts!) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Back to school bash with bouncy castles, FREE haircuts, face painting, balloon animals, plus amazing food and ice cream! Check link for schedule.

⭐ Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Self-Guided Tour | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday-Sunday, August 30-31 | 1:00 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Explore Canada's largest telescope at this national historic site! 90th Anniversary exclusive artifacts from U of T on display. Gift shop available!

🎨 Artists in Residence - Mill Pond Gallery | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday-Sunday, August 30-31 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Mill Pond Gallery
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Watch artists Lesley Block and Margaret Buckworth create their work! Drop in to see works in progress and chat with the artists.

🎎 Uptown Asian Festival | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, Aug 30-Monday, Sep 1 | 12:00 PM–10:30 PM
Location: Richmond Green Sport & Park
Cost: $5 for immersive show, Kids 2 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Multi-day celebration of Pan-Asian culture with illumination shows, lion and dragon dances, interactive kids zone and electrifying performances!

🐸 Humber River Festival & 30th Annual Frog Race | VAUGHAN
Sunday, August 31 | 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: Nort Johnson District Park
Cost: $5 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Watch 2000 frogs race down the river at 3pm! Food vendors, DJ, live music, and children's activities all day long. 30th anniversary celebration!

🎆 Canada's Wonderland Fireworks | VAUGHAN
Sunday, August 31 | 10:00 PM–10:15 PM
Location: Canada's Wonderland
Cost: Wonderland admission required | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Custom-designed fireworks display with original soundtrack! Multiple viewing points throughout park. Perfect grand finale to your day!

🚂 ON TRACK: Railway Exhibition | KING
Saturday, August 30 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: King Heritage & Cultural Centre
Cost: Pay-what-you-wish (KING175 celebration!) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of the railway exhibition! Railway-themed play area and activities for children. Last chance for special summer pricing!

🎎 Uptown Asian Festival (Final Day) | RICHMOND HILL
Monday, September 2 | 12:00 PM–10:30 PM
Location: Richmond Green Sport & Park
Cost: $5 for immersive show, Kids 2 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of this amazing Pan-Asian celebration! Don't miss the illumination shows, lion and dragon dances, and interactive kids zone.

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