Durham happenings for the August long weekend

The first Monday in August is recognized as the Simcoe Day Civic Holiday in Ontario. Here are a few suggestions of local activities to take in over the long weekend in Durham Region.

Enjoy live music, Lego fun and more in Pickering and Ajax

From free concerts to an activity at the library, residents can keep busy in Ajax and Pickering from Aug. 2 to Aug. 5.

Rick Johnson Memorial Park concerts

• Concerts at Rick Johnson Memorial Park take place every Friday night, including Aug. 2, throughout the summer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., except for Aug. 23, which is movie night.
• This free event is for people of all ages. On-street parking is available.

Fun run

• The community is invited to a free, fun, and friendly weekly Duffins Trail Park run, where attendees can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
• The event takes place at Duffins Trail (start near the parking lot), at Elizabeth Street and Old Kingston Road in Ajax.
• It happens every Saturday through Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., including Aug. 3.
• Click here to register and obtain a bar code.

Music in the park

• The City of Pickering presents the Summer Concert Series 2024 at Esplanade Park, from 2 to 4 p.m. on various Sundays throughout the summer, including Sunday, Aug 4.
• Dance to a variety of live music each week. Visitors are asked to bring their own lawn chair or blanket.

Lego fun

• Ajax library users are invited to unleash their imagination with Lego!
• The Audley library branch is hosting the event on Sunday, Aug. 4 from noon to 2 p.m.

Soca Village at Pickering Casino Resory – Aug 2

Performance include the Viking Of Soca, Bunji Garlin, Lyrikal, Farmer Nappy, D Sweetheart Of Soca, and Rae, as well as soca DJs Denforcas Freeze International, and DJ Steph Honey. This is an official Caribana event. See the full schedule and buy your tickets on the Pickering Casino Resort website.