Bradford Greenhouses is set to become the region’s unofficial gateway to spring this weekend as it hosts its annual Great Canadian Outdoors Show—a two‑day, family‑friendly event celebrating everything from camping and fishing to wildlife demos and outdoor education.
The show runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free.
“We have over 150 vendors that are local to either the Simcoe County area or that stretch all the way far up north, all the way to completely down south,” said Marissa Nazaruk, Events and Marketing Supervisor. “We have everything that you’re looking for, from hunting, fishing, camping, and then we also have some really awesome features at the show.”
Those features include a live dog show, live bird show, and a free kids’ fun zone - all indoors, making it a great option for families tired of winter weather.
Guest Speakers and Outdoor Inspiration
Outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate the lineup of guest speakers. Among the biggest draws is explorer and filmmaker Adam Schultz, known to many for his Netflix documentary. He’ll speak on both Saturday and Sunday. Also returning is outdoor speaker and family favourite Jason George, along with several other experts passionate about life outside.
Nazaruk says the expansion of the kids’ zone and live features will add to the buzz this year. “People want to see activities. They want to see something fun… this is just a great way for them and kids to have fun, get out, not get muddy, but at least get fun in the greenhouse.”
Spotlight on Community Support
This year’s event also continues Bradford Greenhouses’ partnership with Roots for Youth, a local charity helping young people who have experienced a loss to access post‑secondary education.
This past school year, they put through 14 students. The charity hopes to support 20 students in the 2026–27 school year.
Attendees can learn more about the organization on-site throughout the weekend.
A Welcome Breath of Spring
Although Bradford Greenhouses is known for its plants and seasonal displays, Nazaruk says the Outdoors Show reflects the business’s broader mission.
“We’re not just all like a pretty, colourful place,” she said. “We want to make sure that people who are new to Simcoe County know local businesses… We kind of want to be that hub space where they’re like, hey, we host great events. Let’s come here. Let’s be a community.”
