by Marc Phillippe Babineau

Created on: June 26, 2009

Culture is defined as a group of people whose shared beliefs and practices identify the particular class, time, or place to which they belong. Defining Ontario culture is like a Sunday evening mixing of the week's meals into a big bowl of stew, as almost every single culture from around the world can be found within Ontario's borders. From every Continent and country on this lovely blue planet, third from the Sun, there are people that have immigrated to Canada and have settled in Ontario, up until a few years ago the most prosperous Province in the country. There may be more of one race in certain cities, like the Tamils, Chinese or Pakistanis in Toronto, the Somalis in Ottawa, and the European Nation represented just about everywhere, usually closely confined in geographical areas of the city, like Chinatown.

Ontario culture is fast becoming nothing more than a reason to throw a huge barbeque picnic with bands and dancing girls, or cultural festivals that espouse the foods, clothing and arts from each race's home nation. From Lollapalooza in Toronto (Latin American) to the Dragon Boat Festival in Ottawa (Chinese), there is a festival during the summer months that will be perfect for each and every culture that is represented in Ontario. Ottawa has an Italian week that showcases exotic Italian sports cars and fine dining. Every city in Ontario has at least one festival of some sort or another, and if timed properly, a family could travel throughout Ontario, going to different festivals every weekend.

From the northern wilds where blueberries grow so thick that you can not take 2 steps without having the bottom of your shoes stained blue, the southern cities with their vineyards and water or theme parks, to the major drawing of cottage country, just a few hour's drive north from Toronto, or south from Ottawa, there is something for every cultural taste in Ontario (Yours to Discover was the longest running logo for Ontario, but was changed to Good things Grow, in Ontario, and is now ). Algonquin Park, one of the largest camping and canoeing paradises in the Americas, although inundated with mosquitoes and black flies, is one of the most pleasing and beautiful National Parks that is not associated with a mountain or mountain range. It is located about four (4) hour's drive north of Ottawa, in the central portion of Ontario.

Festivals and concerts always bring out the crowds, and the cultures mix it up for a great blending of different peoples and ideals, the likes of which had only been dreamed about in many theologian's sleepless nights. Ontario really is yours to discover! And don't forget that good things grow, in Ontario!

Information on the special arts and cultural events that take place in Ontario can be found at http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=travelTools&key2=eventCal&language=EN&linkType=I

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