Enjoy your summer and keep your wallet stuffed

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The Carillon shares some budget-friendly activities you can enjoy around the city

Emily Demyen

Contributor


From September to May, students, us included, constantly complain about how busy they are. They long the days of sunshine and upbeat music. Finally, after eight months of caffeine shakes and hair loss, summer arrives. It’s wonderful – you sleep in until whenever you want, play video games, stalk Facebook and endlessly scroll Tumblr. It’s all gravy early on. But then, two weeks into May, everyone seems bored and miserable. So we at the Carillon have compiled a list of fun, frugal, and inventive activities. Think you are too cool for crafts? You’re not. Have fun. It’s summer. 


Regina Globe Theatre 


Check out “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” from May 23 to July 8. The cheapest tickets are $57 and offer premium seating.  The Regina Globe Theatre is a not-for-profit organization. There are two stages, one of which produces the Schumiatcher Sandbox Series. The stage, a 100-seat black box space, showcases emerging artists, and experimental theatre. Help a struggling artist and go see their stuff after your payday.

 

Brewsters

If you like beer, Brewsters is the place to be on a Monday night. They have three locations in Regina; Victoria Avenue, South Albert Street, and McCarthy Boulevard. You can enjoy the sun on the patio with a couple of frosty beers. You can choose from one of their 16 tasty handcrafted ales and lagers, and check out what they have to offer on their website. If you’re hungry after two-handing that huge drink, grab some wings. If beer isn’t your thing, they have other great drink specials throughout the week; Billinis anyone?

Wascana Canoe Kayak Rentals

For the outdoorsy type, head to Wascana Park. Naturally, there are a ton of different things to do in a park. Check out the canoe and kayak rentals when you feel like breaking a sweat. All equipment provided. Each rental includes boat, paddles, life jackets, and a safety kit. The centre is open seven days a week. Last call to grab your boat is at 7pm, weather permitting. If you’re feeling especially charming, you can enjoy a picnic style meal with your date as you canoe into the sunset.

Wascana Park


Wascana Park offers countless hours of enjoyment and it’s FREE. It’s the best place in the summer to throw a ball around, pass a Frisbee, or simply stroll around. Bring a loaf of bread and you can feed the geese; or run from them. 


Teppanyaki Japanese Steak House or Sake

Foodies and those students with jobs who have some extra cash to spend, this restaurant is perfect for you. This Japanese cuisine uses an iron griddle, and the chefs at Teppanyaki cook the food right in front of you. It’s certainly puts a new spin on the “dinner and a show” date. For this fine dining experience, a reservation is recommended.

Looking for a cheaper alternative to delicious Japanese food? Check out Sake Japanese and Korean cuisine on Albert for the all-you-can-eat buffet. You choose from a wide and delicious variety of sushi rolls, tempura, tofu dishes and fish to suit all sorts of dietary wants, and authentic dishes like BBQ eel and fried squid give you a chance to try something new and interesting.

Bazaart

BAZAART is Saskatchewan's largest outdoor Arts and Crafts Show & Sale. Attracting almost six thousand people a year, it is an ultra-popular summer event in Regina. Stop by and check out the handmade creations by Canadian artists. BAZAART is organized by the MacKenzie Art Gallery as an annual fundraiser and supports the exhibitions and programs of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. Every year there is delicious food and nice company. As well, you won’t want to miss the free tours of summer exhibitions. Consider yourself busy on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Regina Farmer’s Market

The farmer’s market is located in the City Square Plaza. The vendors “locally make, bake or grow their products, serving a unique selection of organic and ethnic foods, beautiful flowers and plants, tempting sweets, unique arts and crafts, and much, much more.” The Farmer’s Market is a chance to ask about your food, help the environment, and socialize. Who doesn’t love that? Summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays. It’s an affordable thing to do whether you buy something or not! 

2012 Peony Show

Tired of the cement view from your sauna-like apartment? Check out some lovely greenery at the 2012 Peony Show. The show is hosted by the Canadian Peony Society and will take place June 29 and 30. Did I mention the event is free! The public can swing by and view the flowers from 1:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Busy Friday? Stop by from 10 am to 4 p.m. Saturday to get a glimpse of the flowers, arrangements and photography. 

Bed and Breakfast

If Wanderlust is the only lust in your life, book a night at a bed and breakfast. Much cheaper than a hotel, it’s a great way to check out a different city. This could be as budget-friendly or extravagant as you make it. 

Regina Beach/Blue Bird Café & Butler’s Fish and Chips

Pack a picnic and head to the beach. This is one of the easiest and most enjoyable summer activities I can think of. Bring some books, a Frisbee, whatever. You can turn any boring day into a good day by heading out to the beach. To top it off Regina Beach has some of the best fish and chips you will ever have. Blue Bird Café & Butler’s Fish and Chips should be an absolute must for anyone’s summer to-do list.

Ice Cream at the Milky Way

Not feeling the beach? Enjoy a cold treat from the Milky Way. In fact, add having ice cream for supper to your summer bucket list. A Regina landmark, they have a huge variety of ice cream to pick from; soft ice cream, hard ice cream, floats, hotdogs, and milkshakes. If you have not stopped by Milky Way at least once in your life, you are missing out.


"Saskatchewan is known for its big empty fields. Take advantage of the emptiness and go stargazing. Whether you’re gazing up at the Milky Way in a park or in the bed of a truck, take it all in. You’ve been practicing staring into space for the last eight months, now you can actually look at something."


Bushwakkers – Wednesday Night Folk

Bushwakkers offers folk music shows every Wednesday. Enjoy local and touring solo artists, duos and bands playing a variety of musical genres from roots, blues, alt-country to Celtic. Relive those summer camp evenings and enjoy the show from 9 to 11 p.m. 

Golfing or Driving Range

If you have a polo shirt and some khaki shorts, don them for a round of golf. Even if you are terrible, it’s usually a good time. Regina has several courses to pick from. If you’re the adventuring type, expand your horizons and head down a highway to an exotic Saskatchewan course. Who knows, you may be the next Tiger Woods. Probably not, but you could sharpen your skills at the driving range if you are in the mood to hit things.

David’s Tea

David’s Tea has an absolutely massive tea selection and great vibes. Make it a summer goal to sample some amazing teas. The staff knows so much about tea it’s ridiculous. Tea has a wide range of diverse benefits to offer depending on the blend. Let the employees at David’s tea educate you a bit. You might even become a tea addict.

Camping in the Backyard

Firewood, a tent, lawn chairs, and your imagination. These are a few key ingredients for the perfect backyard campout. Put on your best Jamie Oliver impression and cook up some banana boats. Slice a banana in half without cutting through the bottom, fill it with marshmallows and chocolate, wrap it in tinfoil and voila! A few minutes on the fire and your taste buds will be in heaven. If you’re tied down with a job, it’s the best compromise for a camping trip. Plus, you can always go back inside before the sunlight at 6 a.m. roasts your tent. 

Star Gazing

Saskatchewan is known for its big empty fields. Take advantage of the emptiness and go stargazing. Whether you’re gazing up at the Milky Way in a park or in the bed of a truck, take it all in. You’ve been practicing staring into space for the last eight months, now you can actually look at something. Relax, and enjoy the rare opportunity to see the stars without the fog of light pollution and the noise of the city. 

Beer Bros. Bakery & Cuisine

Forget wine, have a beer. This restaurant uses the great flavour characteristics of a variety of beers to create a not-so-ordinary dining experience. Students who love beer will surely enjoy any meal here as they are focused on beer cuisine. 

“Beer cuisine stems from the idea that beer is the new wine. Different beers have unique tastes and characteristics and all menu choices have some type of beer used as an ingredient,” said Beer Bros chef, Malcolm Craig. 

Chomp on the Brewsketta, made with Beer blushed Roma tomato, basil and garlic topped with house-made guacamole, Parmesan sprinkles & garlicky beer bread toasties for only $12. 

Moose Jaw – Deja Vu Cafe, Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Main Street

If you don’t mind driving a bit, you can score a great meal in Moose Jaw. Deja Vu has over 60 flavours of chicken. This is a must visit restaurant for anyone who is looking for something different. Chicken wings, chicken fingers, and home-style milkshakes make this restaurant unique. Located in downtown Moose Jaw, you can incorporate it into your next short getaway trip. Next, stop by the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa for a dip. The Mineral Water Pool is naturally warm, and is said to have many health-boosting benefits. For your achy muscles and joints, this is an inexpensive activity to add to your Moose Jaw trip. Finally, walk down Main Street and check out some of their interesting shops. 

Symphony Under the Sky

The Regina Symphony Orchestra will be holding its annual festival in Wascana Park on August 19.  Starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m., “the concert will feature a mix of many musical styles – from pop music to classical hits and beyond.”  There is great food, entertainment, and a finale performance by the RSO. Nothing gets better than a cool performance in the park. 

Regina Science Center and IMAX 

For students who just love learning new things, this one is for you. The Science Center is a hands-on way to learn. You will learn something new, guaranteed. Some of the exhibits include Space Stadium Canada, Nexen Science of Hockey, and WILD! Saskatchewan. Over 150 educational exhibits, games and activities will entertain almost everyone. The IMAX theatre offers different films. Check out the website for show times.

Picnic and a Bicycle Ride

Load up your backpack with something other than textbooks and half-filled notebooks. Select some of your favourite foods (if you like to cook), or grab some baking and quick meals from your favourite store. Once you’re all packed up, hop on a bicycle and peddle to a quiet spot. You can map out a route or just coast along until you’re ready to stop. Warning: don’t eat too much because you do have to bike back.