Kate’s 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Sept. 5 to 7

The calendar has flipped to September but that doesn’t mean anything has changed when it comes to events in and around Waterloo region.

This weekend is just as busy as it’s been all summer long.

Penny and Pound Theatre Company presents Home Grown, a showcase of local actors and playwrights. There are performances all weekend at the K-W Little Theatre in Waterloo.

Tri-City Roller Derby is hosting Royal City (Guelph) and Team Ontario for two bouts on Saturday at the New Hamburg arena. Game One is at 5 p.m. where the Tri-City Storm will take on the Royal City Killer Uprising. Game Two at 7 p.m. is the Tri-City Lightning versus Team Ontario.

Funk Night in Guelph will see the band Hot Breakfast playing music all Friday night at Brothers Brewing Company. Organizers say people should come ready to dance and sweat. Tickets are available at the door.

This is the last weekend for Paranormal Cirque at the Cambridge Centre. Cirque Italia performs a horror themed show that is for adults (no one under the age of 13 will be admitted, anyone 13 to 17 must be with an adult). Tickets are still available for the last few shows.

Endless Summer

Saturday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Victoria Park, Kitchener

This concert wants to celebrate those last few days of summer with free music. It includes singer-songwriter Liv Gains, plus U.S Girls, Basia Bulat and headlining is Feist.

There will be food trucks at the festival or you can walk to downtown to grab a bite to eat.

WATCH | Music festival to transform Kitchener’s Victoria Park Saturday:

Cambridge Fall Fair

All weekend

Dickson Park, Cambridge

There’s a midway, marketplace, a demolition derby, an AC/DC tribute band plus kids entertainment and of course fun fair foods and games.

The Cambridge Fall Fair is on this weekend with midway rides, a demolition derby and a concert by an AC/DC cover band called Who Made Who. Other local fairs are being held in Arthur, Aberfoyle and Tavistock. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Other fairs are happening locally this weekend, including:

Eden Mills Writers’ Festival

Friday 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Rockwood, Guelph and Eden Mills

This annual festival celebrates all things reading and writing. Friday and Saturday features online and in-person workshops and author chats.

Sunday there’s a street festival vibe in the village of Eden Mills that’s all about books and authors and writing. There will also be more than 45 writers doing in-person readings and talks in several different locations in the village.

Definitely take a look at the festival’s website to plan your day accordingly because there is a lot to see and do.

Vintage Market

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Carden Street, Guelph

Carden Street in front of city hall is closed down for this outdoor market that includes fashion, vinyl, antiques and various treasures. There will also be food and music throughout the day.

Dash and Splash

Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (smaller dogs can arrive at 10 a.m.)

Kiwanis Pool, Kitchener

The massive outdoor pool at Kiwanis Park goes to the dogs, literally. This pool party for pooches is a fundraiser for The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo Stratford Perth. There will be vendors and food trucks on site, too.

Bonus: Arboretum Expo

Friday 7 p.m. start, Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

University of Guelph Arboretum

Music Among the Trees is Friday’s event that kicks off Arboretum Expo. The evening will include classical music inspired from nature. The performers will be Zubayeer Swani, an award-winning South Asian classical musician, and Fron Reilly who created his own musical instrument, the fron2.

WATCH | Listen to this new instrument created by a Guelph woodworker:

On Saturday, there’s a tree and plant sale at the arboretum along with tours of the grounds, trails, gardens and research projects. There’s also music with the family friendly Mr. J and the Groovy Gang and the classics cover band Elderly Brothers Garage Band.