Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race

8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27

Chicopee Tube Park, 1600 River Rd. E., Kitchener

This is something you have to see. engineering students from across Canada get together and — as the name suggests — ride concrete toboggans down a big hill. Yes, it takes a lot of work and technical know-how on the part of the teams to build a toboggan that can carry five people, be structurally sound and can brake, but really, watching the students take their contraptions down the hill will be quite a sight. After the race is over, stick around do some skiing or tubing of your own.

Artist talk: Emanuel Licha

7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26

Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener

Artist and filmmaker Emanuel Licha will be giving a free talk at the opening of his solo exhibition, Now Have A Look At This Machine. His photography and films have been shown at exhibits in Berlin, Montreal, New York, Barcelona and Paris. His images and films use his training in urban geography to create stunning and thought-provoking pieces. This exhibit is a follow up to his popular piece, Hotel Machine.

Circle of Learning and Song

2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28

St. James Lutheran Church, 60 Arthur St. S., Elmira

Come out and enjoy the music of the Inshallah choir of more than 100 members who sing songs of praise and prayer from around the world and the Indigenous singing and drumming group Mino Ode Kwewak N'Gamowak (the Good Hearted Women). The concert is more that just some great music — it's raising money for the Music for the Spirit program, which teaches music skills with guitars and keyboards to Six Nations youth. Entry is by a free will offering and there's a reception after the music.

100th anniversary of John McCrae's death

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28

Various venues, Guelph

Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Lt. Col. John McCrae, perhaps known to most Canadians as the poet behind In Flanders Fields. There are several events taking place in the city to mark McCrae's life, including displays at the Guelph Civic Museum (free admission), displays at the McCrae House National Historic Site, a wreath-laying ceremony in the McCrae Memorial Gardens at McCrae House, a memorial service at his family's church St. Andrew's Presbyterian and an evening of words, images and songs featuring the Elora Festival Singers at the River Run Centre.

Celebrate family literacy day by attending a fun event at Conestoga Mall and also taking time to read something together. (Sima Sahar Zerehi/CBC)

Family Literacy Day

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Conestoga Mall, Waterloo

It's the 20th annual Family Literacy Day and to mark the occasion, there's a day of events planned at the mall. It includes some interactive activities, a free book for each child (while supplies last), performances by children's entertainer Erick Traplin and a concert by the Mère-Élisabeth-Bruyère French children's choir. I have two little ones at home and we read together regularly. If I may offer a few suggestions, my children love Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls and my son is particularly keen to find Goldbug in Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.