My beloved home of Ancaster is a historic town within the city of Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. It was founded in 1793 and became one of the first important early British Upper Canada communities. Later merged with the city of Hamilton in 2001. In addition to being home to many wonderful destinations, Ancaster holds several annual events that just cannot be missed.
Held every March, the Ancaster Community Food Drive, now in its 30th year, collects food and other household items for those less fortunate.
Numerous community organizations participate in the food drive, including Ancaster Community Services, Good Shepherd, Hamilton Food Share, Mission Services, Neighbor 2 Neighbor, St. Matthew's House, The Salvation Army and Westley.
Paris To Ancaster Bicycle Race
Held in April every year, the Paris To Ancaster Bicycle Race is known as Canada's Spring Cycling Classic. It'll be held this year on April 24.
Inspired by the classic northern European race, Paris to Roubaix, the Paris to Ancaster race has taken place since 1994 over some of the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads in the area. It sports the largest field of riders assembled in a Canadian bicycle race.
Lobsterfest
Held in May, Lobsterfest is, as the name implies, a celebration of the tasty shellfish.
Held in June, Ancaster Heritage Days is a festival celebrating Ancaster. It was started in 1979 by two locals, Bette Fraser and Ann Sloat, and 40 years later its still going strong.
For the last six years, StoneRidge Insurance Brokers, a local business, has been the title sponsor of the event, which features a parade, a soapbox derby, a concert, exhibits and an art show, among other things.
This year's festival will be held on June 11 in the Ancaster Village Area.
Also held in June is the Ancaster Mill Race, a 5- and 10-K run held to support Ancaster Community Services, a local charity that has been serving the community since 1969.
Due to COVID-19, the race has been held off for the last two years, but is back in 2022 and will be held on June 7. In addition to the 5- and 10-K run for serious runners, there's also a 1K fun run for kids.
Held in September, the Ancaster Fair is good, old fashioned county fair, sponsored by The Ancaster Agricultural Society and in its 172 year.
It will be held this year after Labour Day from September 22 to 25. As you'd expect from such an event, there will be exhibitors and vendors with booths, shows and contests, all focused around rural life -- canning, jewelry making, caring for animals, things like that.
Ancaster Christmas Tree Lighting
Held in December, of course, this is the last event of the year, allowing all of us in the Ancaster community to come together one last time before the flipping of the calendar.
Ancaster’s long list of annual community events is a testament to the community spirit of this quaint, historic town.