“We’ve Been There!”
It’s All Coming Together!
(Fall | Christmas | New Year)
by Gary McWilliams (aka Festival Nomad)
Our “Fall” INSIDER Newsletter is coming a “little” late! Well, perhaps a “lot” late! I have plenty of excuses, but you probably don’t want to hear them, so I won’t bore you!
Instead, let’s look at now and then look forward. It’s now part way through Fall, but up in “GOD’S” country (the Blue Mountains) it looks more like winter! Lots of snow on the ground and mounds of snow heaped in parking lots. They are even opening up the Blue Mountain ski hills a month early! That is great for all those ski enthusiasts. Assuming that snow stays, it will be a great holiday season at “Blue”.
Speaking of the “holiday season”, have you planned how you and your family are going to enjoy them? If you are not leaving Ontario, I’ve got some fun adventures you might want to consider. I’ve written about some of them below.
Soon it will be 2020 and plans for the new year are being made! I’ll write about some of them later in this newsletter.
Ontario Visited Communities Wall Calendar
Speaking of the NEW YEAR, we want to introduce you to our NEW Ontario Visited Wall Calendar. This year it features photos of 12 of the wonderful Ontario communities we have visited. If you are looking for a great Ontario Wall Calendar, please consider purchasing our 2020 calendar. The cost is only $19.95. This includes H.S.T. and shipping if ordered by November 30, 2019. After that, taxes and shipping will be added.
So, if you are looking for a great 2020 calendar for yourself or friends (a terrific Christmas gift) then the 2020 Ontario Visited Communities Wall Calendar is for you. The video shown below shows the communities we have featured.
Museums
Over the past 13 years we have visited a number of interesting Ontario and Canadian Museums. They make a great winter adventure for the whole family and what’s great, there are amazing Ontario Museums located across the province!
The below video features one of them, enjoy!
Theatre
Another fun winter indoor activity is the theatre. Even though many community theatres shut down during the winter months, there are still many who continue to provide wonderful entertainment during the holiday season. Check out Ontario Event Directory or Google to see what theatres are open this holiday season in your area.
Parades
Also, many Ontario communities have Santa Clause Parades and Tree Lighting Ceremonies. These are activities are great fun for the whole family! Afterwards extend the celebrations with “hot chocolate and cookies”!
Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets are held to help you find that “unique gift” for someone special, and the wonderful thing about many Christmas Markets is that they raise money for worthy causes!
Curling
Curling is “alive and well” in most Ontario communities. There’s lots of “ice time” available for curling enthusiasts. It’s a sport that everyone in the family can participate in and enjoy!
Skiing, Etc.
Skiing, snowboarding, skating, tobogganing and snowmobiling are all available for outdoor fun! Fortunately, Ontario has so many wonderful recreational areas for families to enjoy these activities!
“BEE in the Know”
A few months ago, Judi and I decided to create “BEE in the Know” videos.
Over the past 13 years, we have visited hundreds of Ontario communities and events and have learned many fun and valuable lessons along the way!
As a result, we thought we would pass on these “lesson learned”, good and bad through our weekly “BEE IN THE KNOW” video series.
Below is one of the videos we recently posted. If you want to see all of are past videos and then future BEE in the Know Travel videos, go to ontariovisited.ca/bee-in-the-know.
What’s New at Ontario Visited Websites
In addition to our “BEE in the Know” Travel video series, we are now offering advertisers a number of “Snapshot” video promotions. These include “Snapshot Video” Pop-up Ads, “Snapshot Video” Slider Ads on Ontario Event News and “Snapshot Feature Videos”. These include “Event Videos” on Ontario Event Directory, “Interview Videos” on Ontario Event News and “Focus Videos” on Ontario Visited’s main article page. All video programs are supported through Social Media and Google promotions. For more information about these NEW “Branding Programs”, go to marketing.ontariovisited.ca.
In My Opinion ~ Fund Raising
For over 50 years I have been involved with fund raising projects. These projects have varied over the years. In each case, the people involved in organizing these events wanted to help others. Their efforts were selfless and always produced wonderful results. This time of year, it is especially important. It is a time of love and hope. As I mentioned above, many of the Christmas Markets are organized and run by charitable organizations. Judi and I hope that you and your friends and family will consider supporting the charity of your choice.
Final Thoughts
Judi and I hope that everyone has a wonder holiday season and Christmas (if you celebrate one), and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Thanks for joining us Ontario Visited, “see you there” in 2020!
“We’ve Been There!”
