Dundas PeakPopulation – 24,702 (2006 census)

Nickname – The Valley Town

Geographic Location – Nestled just west of Hamilton at the end of Cootes Paradise, and between highways 6 and 8.

Historical Facts
Dundas was named by John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, for his friend Henry Dundas.  Dundas was incorporated as a town in 1847 and is home to Ontario’s longest-running hotel, the Collins Hotel.  All buildings east of the Collins Hotel date from 1881 or later, as a fire in 1881 destroyed all wooden structures east of hotel.  Buildings in downtown Dundas have been popular as movie sets in recent years.

Events/Points of Interest
Buskerfest – early June, annually
www.downtowndundas.ca/buskerfest-2013.php

A weekend of fun in the heart of Dundas.  Top street performers from around the globe entertain and delight through their theatrics, magic and music.

Cactus Festival – third week of August, annually
www.dundascactusfest.ca

The Dundas Cactus Festival began in 1976 and its name recognizes the Veldhuis greenhouses which specialized in cacti – the reason Dundas became known as “the cactus capital of Canada”.

Clara’s Climb
In April, 2013, the top of Sydenham Hill was dedicated to all-time Olympian Clara Hughes – it is now called “Clara’s Climb”.  When Clara lived in Dundas between 1991 and 1997, cycling up Sydenham Hill was a significant part of her training regimen for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.  A plaque will be permanently installed to recognize this location.

The Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA)
www.dvsa.ca

The Dundas Valley School of Art is an independent, not-for-profit school and a leader in the cultural development of the region.  It also plays a vital role in the arts education community.  Not to be missed is the annual art auction – usually held in April.

Arts Dundas
www.carnegiegallery.org

Arts Dundas is a four-day celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts in Dundas, and is held annually in November.

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RAHB Photo Contest
Calling all budding photographers!  We are looking for your great photos of the communities within RAHB’s jurisdictional area.  Like the photo in this month’s article, one of your photos may be published in Realinfo. Capture the essence of your community, and you will have a chance to win a free MCE course offered at RAHB and bragging rights among your fellow REALTORS®.

Pssst – also take note of what photos are published in the monthly Realinfos over the next months.  They “could” be the answers to the contest at the 2014 REALTOR® Connections, Member Services booth.  Pay attention now, and you could win!

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Sources:
Wikipedia, A Brief History and Exploration of Downtown ‘Paradise’ – by Stan Nowak.
Photo coutesy of Dave Zalepa