Fall fairs and food

Fall is harvest time and towns across Muskoka, as in the rest of Ontario, celebrate autumn with an annual Fall Fair. A more subdued version of big city fairs, Muskoka’s fall fairs, like those in small towns all over Ontario, offer visitors the opportunity to meet diverse local growers; peruse exhibits by local vendors, artists and students; and watch a variety of live shows. Check out these two fall fairs coming up in September:

144th Annual Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show

September 16-18 at the Bracebridge Fairgrounds, 331 Fraserburg Rd.
• Midway
• Live music
• Tractor pull
• Horse and livestock shows
• Exhibits
• Chainsaw carving

Huntsville Fall Fair
September 23-25 at the Huntsville Fairgrounds, Ravenscliffe Rd.
• Midway
• Live music
• Horse and livestock shows
• Exhibits
• Contests

While you’re here, don’t forget to visit some of Muskoka’s farmers’ markets to pick up the best of the harvest. And then you can try these delicious fall recipes courtesy of Savour Muskoka and Ontario Farm Fresh.

Curried Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
Pickerel with Maple, Butternut Squash and Apple Cider Glaze
Ontario Apple, Aged Cheddar and Smoked Turkey Panini
Pumpkin Maple Crème Brulée

Our mouths are watering already. How about you?

Join us this month at Colonial Bay for some gorgeous Fall colors and weather (the long-range forecast looks great!). You can view the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.


We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort

September in Muskoka

September is almost upon us with its return to school and work routines, but it’s still technically summer and it’s also one of the best times to visit Muskoka. The weather (and the lake!) is still warm enough for swimming, summer crowds are starting to dwindle, and the trees are starting to show their brilliant colors. And if you get bored of sitting by the water (we’re not sure how that’s possible, but just in case…), there are still plenty of events around to entertain you. Here’s what’s happening in Muskoka in September:

• Sunday, September 11, Pen Lake & Lake of Bays, Subaru IRONMAN 70.3 - Swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles…or just come out and cheer on the athletes in this gruelling competition.


• Saturday, September 17, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Shades of Autumn Antique, Classic and Custom Car Show, Downtown Huntsville - If four wheels are your passion, the 9th annual car show is an adventure that will accelerate your heart rate with 300 auto exhibits up and down the main drag.


• September 22-24 Film North Huntsville International Film Festival, Algonquin Theatre - Three days, 25+ movies, world premieres, old classics, and multiple chances to rub shoulders with film industry professionals - what more could a movie buff want!? Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre


• September 23-25, Huntsville Fall Fair, Huntsville Fair Grounds off Ravenscliffe Road - midway, great food, contests and more!


• September 24-25, 10am-6pm, 33rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour – Visit 25 studios across Muskoka and see the beautiful context in which the artists work at this spectacular time of year.


• September 30-October 2, North Words Muskoka Literary Festival - Join the likes of Margaret Atwood to learn the “Stories Behind the Books”. Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre.

Will we see you at Colonial Bay this fall? Check out our new website for the availability of our Muskoka cottages and online reservations.

We look forward to seeing you!
The Howell Family

Good Reads

August is a time for relaxation. The days are long and warm and the busyness of September is far enough away to be ignored for a little bit. And what better way to relax than to settle into a Muskoka chair with a beverage in one hand and a book in the other?


Muskoka is home to many authors, both seasonal and year-round residents, and some have set their works in our beautiful region. Here are a selection of nonfiction and fiction Muskoka-based tomes from local authors. Check them out online or at one of our local bookstores. And if you have a favourite that we haven’t mentioned, make a note in the comments to tell us about it.

• Trails and Tribulations: Confessions of a Wilderness Pathfinder - Canoeist and naturalist Hap Wilson shares stories of his adventures in the Canadian Shield.
  


• PenLake: Reflections on Peninsula Lake - The Peninsula Lake Historical Committee presents a look back at pioneering and cottaging on our very own Pen Lake!
  


• The Law of Three: A Sarah Martin Mystery - Caroline Rennie-Pattison’s second novel in the Sarah Marin Mystery series.
  


• Getting Rid of Rosie - Lynda Simmons’ fun tale of a ghost that won’t go away. Partially set in Muskoka.
  


• The Drowned Violin - An Alan Nearing Mystery by Mel Malton for kids 9-12.


• Murder in Muskoka series - 4 books by 88-year-old author Liam Dwyer featuring Inspector Murdoch: Murder in Muskoka, Gold & Greed, Muskoka Cross & Double Cross, Muskoka Death & Diamonds.


• The Muskoka Novels (The Summer Before the Storm and Elusive Dawn) - Historical novels set in Muskoka by Gabriele Wills.

If you’ve always wondered what inspires authors to write, consider attending the 2nd annual North Words Muskoka Literary Festival in Huntsville from Sept 30-Oct 2.

The theme is “Stories Behind the Books” and features authors Margaret Atwood, Vincent Lam, Charles Foran, Cathy Buchanan, Gill Deacon, Tish Cohen, Claudia Dey, Richard B. Wright, Camilla Gibb, Terry Fallis, Ed Lawrence and Cynthia Lord. And if you come, you just might catch the first wave of fall colors while you’re at it. Yet another great reason to visit Colonial Bay!

You can see the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!

The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort

Thanksgiving Sunday Morning

We've been blessed with a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Warm and sunny all weekend. Here is another short video of my favourite view from Colonial Bay.

Early Morning Mist

We experienced a little frost last night as the temperatures dipped just below freezing. It made for a neat morning to take pictures at the lake as the cool air temperature and warmer water combine to make a mist over the lake. The Sun was shining from the east and mad the far shore quite spectacular to see. Some guests that were on the dock taking pictures joked that it must be a good morning if the owner is out taking pictures!!