Canada's Long August Weekend Monday August 1 Has Many Names

Ontario Civic Holiday-John Graves Simcoe-Simcoe Day

Monday August 1, 2011 is a holiday in most Canadian Provinces.
Holiday events start on Friday July 29-Monday August 1. . See Quick Links to  Civic Holiday Events and Festivals. The Civic Holiday is the first Monday of August and offers a long weekend holiday during the summer vacation season in Canada....... a perfect time for family day activities, events and festivals.
Also named  British Columbia Day,  New Brunswick Day, Saskatchewan Day. Civic holiday, Ontario (Simcoe Day), Nova Scotia and PEI (Natal Day).
It is interesting to note, depending on the community in Ontario (according to Wikipedia), different assigned to what was known as Simcoe Day including Mountie Day in North York, Colonel By Day in Ottawa, Joseph Brant Day in Burlington, Founders' Day in Brantford, McLaughlin Day in Oshawa, Alexander Mackenzie Day in Sarnia, James Cockburn Day in Cobourg, Peter Robinson Day in Peterborough, and John Galt Day in Guelph.

National Parks Day July 16-2011 FREE ADMISSION

Interpretive Signs at Georgian Bay Islands National Park

View from the Beach at Georgian Bay Islands National Park

National Parks Day Free Admission July 16, 2011

One hundred activities – “100 for the Centennial” – will mark Parks Day in Parks Canada locations across the country. Parks’ Day, Doors Open in all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas managed by Parks Canada, featuring free entry, special events and fun for the whole family all across Canada.

Several of my favourite National Parks are in Ontario in the Georgian Bay area of Ontario.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park
This past spring we attended the Georgian Bay Water Festival and found a world of wonder at Georgian Bay Islands National Park accessible by boat from Honey Harbour Ontario.  There are two possibilities one with Parks Canada on the Day Tripper or if you are staying at Delawana Inn Resort a picnic trip to Beausoleil Island is included in the holiday packages.

Planning a holiday along Georgian Bay can still be enjoyable without your own boat.  There are many family getaways and couples romantic getaways in the many towns and communities along the Bay

Ontario Staycations...... close to Home Travel

Ontario Travel North of Toronto

Ontario family getaways in July usually coincides with visits to an Ontario Beach.  Ontario outdoor activities include fishing, hiking, children's programs, swimming, boating, splashing and playing at events & festivals.  See our featured Ontario family resorts getaways:Tyrolean Village Resorts -Collingwood; Sandy Lane Resort, Minden; Tornado's Canadian Resorts -Port Loring; Rockview Camp Cottage Resort -Callander.