Canoe Polo Tournament

This past Saturday (July 23rd) was jam packed with events. I had the opportunity to visit the Canoe Polo Tournament. This tournament was situated in Bell Park at the Sudbury Canoe Club.

When I was making my way into the event grounds I could hear the loud cheers, music and kayaks in the water. It sounded like everyone was having fun. Shortly after I arrived, I discovered a canoe polo match taking place. For those who don’t know what canoe polo is, I will give you a little run down. Canoe polo consists of two teams of kayakers, one ball and two floating nets. The players must kayak around the water and try to get the ball in the other teams net.


These polo matches were very intense and the crowd was well involved, cheering every step of the way. I had a blast watching them attempt to kayak while trying to throw the ball in the opposite net. If you ever get the opportunity to watch these games, take it! It is definitely something you should see!

Pat

To see sudbury tourism videos visit www.youtube.com/SudburyTourism

Francophone Games 2011

This weekend I spent some time at the Francophone Games which took place at Bell Park and Laurentian University. It was very nice to see the Francophone community coming together and participate in such a great event.

I started at Bell Park with the Great Urban Canoe Adventure. It was really nice to see the participants all lined up and ready to go. The main race was at 9 am with a canoe trip across 5 lakes, starting from the beautiful Ramsey lake beach. Other participants in various categories were ready to race and enjoy the thrill of such a great adventure.

Later on during the day, I visited Laurentian University where more games were set up. There was basketball, live music, art demonstrations, food, and much more activities for all age groups. I had a blast, as I listened to some of the music. I wanted to play some basketball but my skills are not the greatest.

Over all it was a good day with a lot of positive energy in the air. The weather was perfect!

Here is a list of the medal count for the Francophone Games.



Pat

Blueberry Festival

Greater Sudbury is known for its wild blueberries. What other way to celebrate this unique feature then holding a week- long Blueberry Festival?

I attended the 'Blueberry Bash' at Market Square and what a bash it was. Hundreds of people filled the Market Square grounds to participate in the festivities. The most popular part of the Blueberry Bash was the blueberry pancakes. I jumped in line to get my hands on some of those fabulous pancakes. They were absolutely delicious. They served the pancakes with this amazing blueberry syrup. A couple of us tried to get the recipe but we were told it was a secret.

The front stage at Market Square was filled with performers. They started the morning off with Sudbury Zumba Dance. The crowd was right into it, participating in this fitness craze. As the day went on more performers took the stage.

They had free wagon rides, face painting and a clown on sight for the children. The day was absolutely perfect and it looked like everyone had a great time.

Shanna

Excellent Ways to Beat The Heat

It's no secret that things are heating up around Greater Sudbury. The weather is continuing to get hotter and hotter. First we complain it's too cold then we complain it's too hot (at least I know I do). Well it's time to put the complaining to an end and have some summer fun!
What better way to 'beat the heat' then enjoy these "cool" places around Greater Sudbury.
Jump in and cool off in one of our fresh water lakes. There are so many different ones to choose from. Click here to view a full list of beaches around Greater Sudbury.
Science North and Dynamic Earth are great places to visit to escape the heat. Great attractions in a cool environment- you can't go wrong with either of them!
Nothing beats a cold treat on that hot day. Cool off with some ice cream from Bitter Bills Ice Cream Parlour. Open in three locations around Greater Sudbury (New Sudbury, Downtown Sudbury and Val Caron).
Shanna

Gem & Mineral Show

Who doesn't like to be surrounded by a bunch of beautiful gems and minerals? This event is absolutely spectatular. I always look forward to this event each year. As a child, my mom used to take my sister and I every summer and she would always let us purchase one item. My first ring was purchased at the Gem & Mineral Show and I still have it to this day.

There are so many unique gem and minerals that you would probably never see anywhere else. You look at some of them and wonder how the earth can make something so beautiful. The colours and shapes are so different it's hard to believe they are real. I had the opportunity to speak to one of the vendors and he went into great detail about one of the crystals he mines and the different features it has. It was facinating to hear about.

The Gem & Mineral Show has a section for children with different activities all pertaining to gem and minerals. You can see smiles on their faces as they participated in these different activities. They have a silent auction, door prize and BBQ outside. This event is fun for the whole family. We hope to see you next year at the 30th Annual Gem & Mineral Show on July 20,21 and 22.

Shanna

Events Happening in Sudbury

This week in Sudbury is a big one! We are hosting multiple events throughout the city which began on Friday. First, we began with the Gem and Mineral show that took place at the Carmichael Arena, July 15th to the 17th. Next, we had the Dragon Boat Festival which had everyone in competition mode. This event happened on the Saturday, July 16th on Ramsey Lake.



We now enter the busiest week of the season, by starting off with the Blueberry festival taking place July 17th to the 24th. It will be taking place at various locations across the city with blueberry filled activities. Don’t forget to try out the special blueberry pizza! This specialty pizza can only be purchased while the blueberry festivities are on. Simply call Toppers Pizza to try one out. Next we have the Sudbury Pride Festival happening all week with activities throughout the city. There is also a golf tournament on Friday the 22nd and face painting at the Tom Davies Square.




Next on our list is the 19th Annual Greek Festival being held at the Hellenic center from July 20th to the 24th with food that will satisfy your taste buds. There will also be cultural music and kid’s activities all through the festival so be sure to visit!



Now, for the first time in history, Sudbury welcomes the Francophone Games!! The games are sure to make you dance and have a blast with plenty of activities. They will all be taking place at Laurentian University and Collège Boréal. The games will be held from July the 20th to the 24th. From July 22nd to the 24th, the Panhellenic soccer tournament will be taking place and matches will be held at various fields across Sudbury. Come down and cheer the athletes in action!


To finish it all off, we have the Pow Wow in Whitefish with kid’s activities and events for all age groups.


As you can see, Sudbury is packed with events this upcoming week, with stuff to do for all age groups. The summer students will be visiting all these festivals and events. If you need any information on the events visit sudburytourism.ca.



Hope to see you there

Pat

Beautiful Beaches

Did you know that there's 330 fresh water lakes around Greater Sudbury? -Pretty amazing if I say so myself!
What better way to beat the heat this summer than enjoying a day at one of Greater Sudbury's beautiful beaches.
My personal favourite: Bell Park. The beach at Bell Park is absolutely amazing. Not only is the beach amazing, but the atmosphere as well. The grounds are very large which makes it easy to find that perfect spot. It is a great place to go for a picnic or just to relax in the sun.

My childhood favourite: Moonlight Beach. When I think back on my childhood memories at Moonlight Beach the first word that comes to my mind is "fun". The beach is so large it is perfect for building big sand castles and rolling around in the sand. This beach is perfect for children because the water stays shallow for a while before it starts to get deep. It was one of my favourite places to spend my summer with my family and friends.

No matter what beach you are at around Greater Sudbury, you are surely going to have a great time.

Shanna

A Rodoe in Sudbury?

So here I was in Azilda watching a Rodeo on July 9th. Something I would never think to see here, but it has been going on for many years. Just think about locals and those visiting Sudbury actually have the opportunity to see a real live Rodeo. Usually the word Rodeo to most people is linked with Western Canada, not Central Canada.

I was so excited to see what this rodeo had to offer. Just hearing bareback bronco Riding, Saddle Bronco riding and Bull riding was enough to peak my interests and boy were my interest’s peaked. So there I was standing along the fence line watching the action unfold as horse and rider came so close that I thought they would hit the fence, but rather they missed it all together. At one point a bronco rider was done with his wild horse ride and grabbed the waist of a wrangler, which gave him purchase to jump off the crazed horse. It was an amazing sight to see.

That was not all, the guys riding the bulls were even wilder as far as I am concerned. Though they had helmets and chest padding the way the horse bucked it is not wonder the riders were thrown off in just seconds. At one point, one of the riders who did not wear a helmet was bucked and upon tumbling to the ground was almost kicked in the head by the mad bull. I should also mention the three girls sitting in the ring and 5 bananas, but I really wouldn’t want to ruin the fun for you.

This event was both exiting and entertaining and I was sad to leave, though other priorities called. I am sure that next year I will stay for the entire event as I was told it gets crazier as the night goes on. I really could not imagine these cowboys and girls putting themselves in more danger than I had already witnessed. I do have to say that if you are in Sudbury when this event is in town, it is a must see.

To check out some of the action go to http://www.youtube.com/sudburytourism#p/u/4/fK5-0Ldmkk8

Katherine

My latest visit to Laurentian University

Laurentian University is always growing with new residences being built and new programs being created. This week, I went to visit the one and only Laurentian
University. When I first arrived, I noticed something new right off the bat, a new residence was going up which is exciting news for students; more rooms will be available!

Now as the day progressed, I went and visited all the different departments and buildings, the arts department, the science building, both of the teachers colleges, etc… Then a thought occurred to me, for a University with 8,000 students we sure pack a punch. Laurentian has multiple departments that are offered in Northern Ontario on site. To top it all off, we also have the opportunity to learn in French or English, since it is a bilingual University. Now with upcoming school of Architecture set to open in Sudbury, we sure have a lot of opportunities to choose from.

The students life at Laurentian is a good one with a student center and a games room to entertain you while you are waiting for your next class or just looking to have a good time. With restaurants in the University and in the residences they are guaranteed to satisfy you.

All in all, I was very impressed with what I seen at Laurentian and I would be proud to say that I am a Laurentian student, it is a good place to be!

Pat

Delicious Food Around Greater Sudbury

It's no secret that I love to eat delicious food- I mean who doesn’t? Below is a list of some of my FAVOURITE foods to eat around Greater Sudbury. They are definitely all must-tries!

1. A unique twist to peanut butter and banana sandwiches (Viva Las Bananas)- Laughing Buddha
2. A little cold treat from Italy- try a tasty gelato from Regency Bakery & Deli
3. The original chicken-on-a-bun with a poutine- No one does it like they do- Deluxe Burgers
4. For your crepe craving- Try over 10 unique crepe creations (My personal favorite: "Love Me Fruity" - Ti Amo Classic Cafe
5. Fish fresh from the boats to your mouth- Killarney Fish & Chips
6. Perfect for the outdoors- Try the Deep Woods Brushetta- Respect is Burning Supperclub
7. Looking for the perfect dessert? Both rich and homemade- Ripe Restaurant and Dessert Bar
8. Authentic Nonna's Italian home cooking- Caruso Club (Ristorante Enrico)
9. Enjoy the best butter tarts in the world- Grandmother's Pie Shoppe
10. Homemade meatball subs with delicious meats and cheeses- Bertolo’s Homemade Foods

Shanna

Sudbury Kart-Ways

Ever since I was little I always loved the rush of driving a go-kart, dodging karts on the track, seeing all your friends driving around you. It was loads of fun, and still is. The owners of Sudbury kart-Ways, Joanne and Phil Taurs, offer Sudburians the chance to feel that excitement once more. They offer 3 different types of racing.

A) Regular Racing

B) Real Racing

C) Club Racing

As for the track, it measures a ¼ of a mile long and is built to test your skills in karting. For club and real racing the track extends to ½ mile long and is filled with excitement at every twist and turn. It doesn’t end there here…no…no….Phil and Joanne also have a mini putt situated on site and a batting cage for all ages. The mini putt consists of 18 tracks and is for all ages, and is packed with fun filled excitement.


Sudbury Kart-Ways is definitely the place to go on a nice day with your friends. Spend an afternoon racing, mini-putting, and see if you can strike more baseballs then your friend in the batting cages.


Pat

For additional info on the 3 types of racing offered at Sudbury Kart-Ways contact Joanne or Phil at
705-566-9266

Italian Festival 2011

The smell of Italian food, there is nothing better than it! Last Saturday (July 9th 2011) I went to go visit the Italian festival, and the culture was certainly alive that day. When I arrived, children were playing games and having fun laughing and simply enjoying the day. The weather agreed completely that day, with bright skies and not a cloud in sight. As lunch time progressed I could smell the BBQ grillen, from pulled pork sandwiches, porketta sandwiches, sausages, and so much more food offered. People were sitting underneath the tent listening to Italian music and enjoying their meals with friends and family. The events coordinator was pleased to talk to me about all the events that were happening throughout the day and the big feast that was going to happen at night. As the day progressed, I played a few games with the children and we all had a blast! As for next year I hope to see you all there.

Pat.


For past videos of events that happened in Sudbury visit www.youtube.com/sudburytourism

Northern Lights Festival Boreal 2011

The Northern Lights Festival Boreal was another great success! The festival attracted over 15,000 people from various places, a great weekend for the event to take place with nice warm weather and clear skies. It was my first time at the Festival and as I first arrived at the registration booth I did not know what to expect. As I walked into Bell Park I heard laughter and music from all directions, I even seen people dressed in creative costumes. Vendors were set up all around the park selling various items, some were made locally and others were international. I loved that people were walking around with all their friend, laughing and having a good time. As I walked around the tents people were lying on the grass and listening to music relaxing and enjoying the moment. Various types of music were being played throughout the weekend from folk to rock in French and English. At night, the head liners would come out and everyone would sit in front of the new Grace Hartman Amphitheatre to listen. As for food, I saw vendors selling all types, from Asian to Jamaican and for those with a sweet tooth there were Funnel cakes available. As a first timer, at this event, I would say it was a great success and I would definitely bring my friends next year.

Pat

For more information on Sudbury events please visit
www.sudburytourism.ca

Things to see in the City

This summer, I will be working on a schedule of activities that we the tourism students will be attending. This will help travelers from various cities learn about the activities that they can do in the city of Greater Sudbury. The idea behind all of this is to let travelers and citizens of Sudbury see what they can do during their vacation time or spare time.

All the information used to find places to visit in Sudbury is not limited to City of Greater Sudbury employees. One of the main sites I use is the visit Georgian Bay website; I use it to search for attractions around town. This site lets anyone discover the 10 best places to visit in the city of Greater Sudbury and great places to eat. All the information is on hand for anyone who is looking for activities to do in our great city.

We the summer students will be going out and visiting these areas and catching live footage of our participation in these activities. This is to showcase the action packed adventure behind each one of these events.

For anyone looking for activities to do throughout the summer, keep track of the Sudbury Tourism youtube, facebook, twitter and blogspot page for all updates on activities in Sudbury.

Pat

www.youtube.com/SudburyTourism
www.facebook.com/SudburyTourism
http://twitter.com/#!/SudburyTourism

Canada Day

Another Canada Day celebration well done! Last Friday (July 1st) Science North and the Sudbury Arena were the places to be. We had beautiful weather to start off with, followed by people with their lawn chairs and towels on the nice green grass. There were multiple vendors outside selling various items from sweet treats too unique crafts. Entertainment for children with live music and EZ Rock Sudbury Idol was back for another successful year. Children were happy as can be with Science North having live entertainment for all ages, demonstrating how awesome science truly is. All the radio stations were there and broadcasting live from Science North. As for the Sudbury Arena, culture was most definitely alive that day. From a variety of cultural foods and music all day long, live entertainment, a variety of dance academies were present that day demonstrating their dance moves. Canada Day in Sudbury was another very successful event!

Pat

To view some of our videos from past events click here!