👋 Hello sweet August! You might just be my favourite month of the year. The days are long, the sunsets are magical, the bugs are finally buggering off, and our pace slows down after the initial summer hype.

Whatever you have planned for the month, I hope you soak it all in. We've curated a list of free events that might make it even better.

My favourite finds this week:

1. Deebee's organic freezies (no affiliation, just happy to find a summer treat without red dye no. 3. Watermelon is currently the household top flavour 🍉).

2. This Disney story time playlist on Spotify - for those longer car rides, they're narrated by some awesome British dude and include original songs and clips from Disney films.

Happy August, happy summer, happy days!

-Mayhem Mamas

Here's what's happening this week around York Region:

🎪 Stouffville Ribfest with FREE entry & kids zone – WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
🎨 Newmarket Makers Festival with live pottery demos – NEWMARKET
🚗 52nd Annual Classic Car Show at the Museum – WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
🍓 Raspberry Social & Community Picnic with train scavenger hunt – KING
🐝 Bee-Curious: honeybee exploration with observation hive – RICHMOND HILL
💫 Stargazing Party for Perseid Meteor Shower – RICHMOND HILL

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7

🎠 Sutton Fair & Horse Show (Day 1/4) | GEORGINA
Thursday, August 7 | 12:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: Sutton Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults $15, Children 6-12 & Seniors $8, Family pass $40 (2 adults + up to 3 children), Children 5 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Four-day agricultural fair featuring truck & tractor pull, demolition derby, Ambassador Program, Georgina Idol, baby show, midway, and livestock shows. A beloved summer tradition!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

🔮 Aurora Psychic & Crystal Fair (Day 1/3) | AURORA
Friday, August 8 | 2:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Aurora Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385
Cost: $10 weekend pass (12 & under FREE) | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Discover your future with talented psychics, explore crystals and gemstones. Features palm readings, numerology, astrology, tarot cards, tea leaf readings, and crystal vendors. Services start around $60.

🎠 Sutton Fair & Horse Show (Day 2/4) | GEORGINA
Friday, August 8 | 9:00 AM–12:00 AM
Location: Sutton Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults $15, Children 6-12 & Seniors $8, Family pass $40 (2 adults + up to 3 children), Children 5 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Extended Friday hours with full lineup of agricultural entertainment including livestock shows, midway rides, and fair food favorites. Don't miss the evening entertainment!

🎪 Stouffville Ribfest (Day 1/3) | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Friday, August 8 | 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park - Stouffville
Cost: FREE entry | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Day two of the award-winning ribs festival! Enjoy food trucks, kids zone activities, local breweries, marketplace vendors, and live entertainment. Free parking at local schools.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

🌟 Celebrating the Arts: A Taste of Culture | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday, August 9 | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: East Gwillimbury Civic Centre
Cost: FREE entry | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Ultimate community event connecting through arts, culture, food and heritage! Features RBC TK Investment Group Kid Zone with Lego, giant blocks, inflatable obstacle course, face painting, and cartoonist Michael McDonnell.

🥞 Parent & Child: Pancakes & PJ's Cooking Class | EAST GWILLIMBURY
Saturday, August 9 | 10:00 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Longo's (East Gwillimbury) in The Loft (upstairs)
Cost: $7/child | Age: 3+
🔗 Event Details
Hands-on cooking class for little chefs and caregivers making Sheet Pan Pancakes and Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip. For families in York Region with autistic children. Maximum 2 children per family.

🎨 Painted Perch Festival | GEORGINA
Saturday, August 9 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Jackson's Point Parkette - Georgina
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
14th Annual Painted Perch Festival! Music, games, food, vendors, and local artists showcasing talents. Get creative - purchase a plywood fish, paint it, and enter the friendly competition with Youth, Teen, Adult, and Business categories.

🎠 Sutton Fair & Horse Show (Day 3/4) | GEORGINA
Saturday, August 9 | 9:00 AM–12:00 AM
Location: Sutton Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults $15, Children 6-12 & Seniors $8, Family pass $40 (2 adults + up to 3 children), Children 5 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Peak Saturday action with truck & tractor pull, demolition derby, midway rides, livestock competitions, and evening entertainment running until midnight!

🎼 Uptown Keswick Parkette Concert Series | GEORGINA
Saturday, August 9 | 3:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Uptown Keswick Parkette
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Terry and the Blues Pirates perform! Browse unique Uptown Keswick stores and restaurants while enjoying incredible local musicians. Concert series continues Saturdays until September 13th.

🍓 Raspberry Social & Community Picnic | KING
Saturday, August 9 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Location: King Heritage & Cultural Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
King Township's 175th anniversary celebration! Features children's performer Russ Clayton, train-themed playground scavenger hunt, face-painting, outdoor games, live music, and free raspberries & raspberry shortcakes. BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic)!

🎨 Newmarket Makers Festival | NEWMARKET
Saturday, August 9 | 1:30 PM–8:00 PM
Location: NewMakeIt (Newmarket)
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
3rd Annual Newmarket Makers Festival as part of NewMakeIt's 10th anniversary! Vibrant artisan market, live pottery wheel and blacksmithing demos, food, live music, and prize giveaways. Over 700 attendees expected!

🐝 Bee-Curious: Explore the World of Honeybees | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, August 9 | 10:30 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Richmond Hill Public Library - Central Branch
Cost: FREE drop-in program | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Join Richard and Dana from R&D Bees and Trees for stories, songs, and crafts about Ontario's bee species. Get an up-close look at honeybees in their observation hive!

👸 Princess Party (Autism Ontario) | RICHMOND HILL
Saturday, August 9 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Cost: $5/per person | Age: Kids ages 5-12 (+ parents/caregivers)
🔗 Event Details
Victorian-themed princess party with crafts, etiquette lessons, and traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and cookies. Maximum 3 tickets per family. Dress up encouraged!

👩‍💼 She Rises Network - 1 Year Anniversary | VAUGHAN
Saturday, August 9 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: 9baci Restaurant
Cost: $40 | Age: Women's event (this one is just for mom!)
🔗 Event Details
Anniversary brunch featuring cupcake decorating, delicious brunch, swag bags, raffle prizes, and live DJ vibes. Limited tickets available for women to connect and rise together.

🍺 Woodbridge Farmers Market | VAUGHAN
Saturday, August 9 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Al Palladini Centre - Woodbridge
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Special HONEY day featuring a real beehive display and local honey samples! Weekly farmers market continues until October 11th in the community centre parking lot.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

🎠 Sutton Fair & Horse Show (Day 4/4) | GEORGINA
Sunday, August 10 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Sutton Fairgrounds
Cost: Adults $15, Children 6-12 & Seniors $8, Family pass $40 (2 adults + up to 3 children), Children 5 & under FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of the four-day agricultural fair! Last chance to enjoy truck & tractor pull, demolition derby, midway rides, livestock shows, and family entertainment.

🚗 52nd Annual Antique & Classic Car Show | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Sunday, August 10 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre
Cost: FREE Entry | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
52nd annual award-winning family favorite! Exhibitors from across Southern Ontario display prized antique and classic cars. Features a feature car, food vendors, and demonstrations.

🎪 Stouffville Ribfest (Day 3/3) | WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Sunday, August 10 | 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park - Stouffville
Cost: FREE entry | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of the three-day ribfest celebration! Last chance to enjoy award-winning ribs, food trucks, kids zone, local breweries, marketplace, and live entertainment.

MONDAY, AUGUST 11

💦 Dr. Margaret Arkinstall Park - Splash Pad | NEWMARKET
Open daily | 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Location: Dr. Margaret Arkinstall Park - Newmarket
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Park Details
Harvest-themed splash pad featuring half a giant strawberry with waterfall spray, apple carousel, spinning carrots, barn gate with water wall, pea pods with activators, and ground river with water manipulation toys. Includes park, soccer field, and free parking.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12

🧘‍♀️ Beginner Outdoor Yoga + Meditation at Fairy Lake Park | NEWMARKET
Tuesday, August 12 | 7:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Fairy Lake Park
Cost: FREE | Age: ⚠️ Adults only (18+)
🔗 Event Details
35-minute yoga session followed by 15-minute seated meditation in natural surroundings. Meet under the large four-trunk willow tree near the third parking lot or bridge from Cane Parkway. Bring yoga mat, cushion, and water.

💫 Stargazing Party - Perseids Meteor Shower | RICHMOND HILL
Tuesday, August 12 | 8:30 PM
Location: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Bring Your Own Binoculars to observe the night sky! Learn star charts and basic observing techniques, then follow a guided tour through the night sky. Weather dependent - check RHDDO Programs page for "Go" or "No Go" status.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13

🎭 King Theatre Company Presents ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ | KING
Wednesday, August 13 | 6:15 PM–8:30 PM
Location: Pine Farms Orchard
Cost: $35 | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Deeply moving play based on the best-selling memoir at Pine Farms Orchard. Admission begins at 6:15 PM for food, drinks, and seating. 90-minute runtime with no intermission. One-of-a-kind theatrical experience!

💫 Stargazing Party - Perseids Meteor Shower | RICHMOND HILL
Wednesday, August 13 | 8:30 PM
Location: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Second night of meteor shower observation! Bring Your Own Binoculars and learn basic observing techniques. Weather dependent event - check website for current status.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 🎷 Markham Jazz Festival with 30+ performances – Markham (Friday-Saturday, August 16-17)

• 🚗 Summerfest - Highway 11 Cruisers Car Show – East Gwillimbury (Sunday, August 17)

• 🌮 Lucky Lion Night Market with Asian street food – Markham (Thursday-Saturday, August 15-17)

• 🍺 Richmond Hill Rotary Craft Beer Festival (19+) – Richmond Hill (Friday, August 16)

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