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You can feel the spark from the first minute: a morning coffee turned into a grassroots outdoor festival that now spans a Friday night film showcase, three packed halls, and a winter courtyard buzzing with dog sleds, fire pits, hot tents, and live demos. We’re joined by Jason and Bretton from the Hamilton Adventure Expo to trace how they kept the show independent, community-centred, and hands-on while doubling its size and raising the bar for Canadian outdoor events.

We dive into the new Adventure Film Festival at the historic Westdale Theatre—nine films, intimate Q&As, and a 350-seat room where creators and fans meet face to face. Then we map the weekend across the Ancaster Fairgrounds: indoor tunnels connecting vendor halls, a dedicated speaker space, acoustic music sessions, a kids’ corner, and a coffee-and-treats hub that makes every room feel alive. Outside, winter takes centre stage with Abitibi Dog Sledding rides, Esker hot tent demos and cocoa, live knife forging, sled-pulling workshops, and collaborative camp kitchen sessions. It’s an immersive way to learn winter skills, talk to experts, and turn questions into confidence.

The speaker lineup is stacked: Adam Shoalts, Joe Robinet, Kevin Callan, Kylan Marone, Tori Baird, Ken Whiting, Ray Zahab, Ben Beauchamp, Marty Morcette, and Evan LaFive. We talk about why these voices matter, how their stories move people from YouTube to trailheads, and why Saturday and Sunday each offer unique sessions worth seeing. You’ll also hear how last year’s sellout lines shaped smarter crowd flow, added volunteers, and a VIP entrance for weekend pass holders—without losing the indie spirit. And if you like great odds, every ticket enters you to win a Nova Craft ToughStuff 16’ Prospector canoe, ready to kick off your paddling season.

Join us for a warm, honest look at the Canadian outdoor community—where makers, guides, filmmakers, and fans come together to learn, collaborate, and head outside. Tickets go live November 24. Grab yours, share this episode with an adventure friend, and leave a review to help more people find the show. We’ll see you at Westdale on Jan 23 and at the Ancaster Fairgrounds Jan 24–25.

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