The Portage Flyer Christmas is back for it’s fifth year, decorated in a thousand lights and ready to help celebrate the season. Visit the Muskoka Heritage Place and get ready to ride the train to the end of the line, where Old Saint Nick awaits.

There will be hot chocolate and homemade cookies inside the train station. The first train leaves at 5pm and the last train at 7:30pm. If you do not wish to visit Santa you can remain on the train and enjoy the ride.

Everyone one welcome! From large families to romantic couples, this event holds something special for everyone. Dress warm and make sure you bring a camera to capture the moment.

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Fall is such a beautiful time of year and offers so much to do in the Muskoka area. Take a scenic road trip to Hunstville or Balla for the Bala Cranberry Festival or the 22nd Annual Great Pumpkin Trail.

October 15-17: The Bala Cranberry Festival features unique collections of products, gifts and crafts. Each vendor designs, collects and/or makes the items offered for sale. This annual festival celebrates the harvest of Muskoka Cranberries, including tours of the marsh, live entertainment and vendors.
Website: www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca

October 31st: Hallowe’en night “Umpteenth Annual” Great Pumpkin Trail at the Muskoka Heritage Place. Event starts at 5pm and the last admission is at 7:30, so don’t show up too late. Come to a candle-lit village for tricky treats.

Huntsville’s downtown core will be packed with car enthusiasts on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the eighth annual Shades of Autumn Antique, Classic and Custom Car Show.

“We’re expecting to fill the street with cars,” says BIA general manager Robin Brushey. “We do get about 250-300 cars, depending on the weather. We usually get some 1920 vehicles straight through to modern tuners. There are a lot of really neat and unique vehicles to see. As well, it’s a chance to talk to some of the owners of these vehicles to find out why they got involved and hear some of the stories behind them.”

The event is free for both pedestrians and car owners wanting to register their vehicles. As well, early in the day, there will be a charity bake sale and the Muskoka Knights Car Club runs a 50-50 raffle.

“We’ll have some music on the street,” says Brushey. “The Clint Goodwin Band is going to be there to entertain throughout the day, so it becomes a bit of a street dance as well. The other thing people can do that’s kind of fun is come down and vote for their favourite car in the People’s Choice Award.”

Centre Street to Brunel Road will be closed off during the show, but depending on the volume of vehicles in attendance, some of the side streets may be used as well. “We usually overflow into Rivermill Park if we need to,” says Brushey.

The Autumn Studio Tour is celebrating its 32nd year! This tour gives visitors a chance to see inside the studios of Muskoka’s artists and often see the artists at work. Those on the tour welcome guests to come into their workplace and discover the inspiration behind their talent.

Tour Website: www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com
*You will find a map of all of the locations on their website

This year’s event takes place on two weekends, Sept. 25 and 26 and Oct. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Twenty-seven artists from across Muskoka open their studios, and invite visitors in to see their latest work. Often visitors will have the opportunity to see the creative process taking place.

With the tour taking place in the fall, the changing leaves create a beautiful backdrop for the event. Breathtaking!!! The studios are located across Muskoka, from south of Gravenhurst to north of Huntsville and as far west as Glen Orchard. Admission is free. Don’t miss this art show!

The Chancery Art Gallery in Bracebridge is hosting its annual post-season perspective called Lazy Cottager from Aug. 25 to Oct. 2. It is described as a show “for those who missed all summer exhibitions at the Chancery Art Gallery, but now have finally managed to leave their lake, cottages, golf courses, tennis courts, yacht clubs, etc.” The exhibition features paintings of fine artists from Canada, including Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, as well as other countries from around the world including England, Greece, Russia and many more.

The show will be open Wednesdays to Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Date: Saturday October 2nd, 2010
Time: 10 am – 5 pm

Bring your friends and family to Muskoka’s Downtown and experience seasonal flavours and fall fun at the annual Colourfest Street Fair.

Featuring
Bracebridge’s Got Talent
Downtown Restaurant Tour
Pumpkin Baking Contest
Kids Pumpkin Decorating
Fun inflatables for the Kids, Art in the Heart Artists and much much more…