Kids can drop a line and pull in a big one at the Toronto International Boat Show. (Handout)

Among my favourite pastimes to brighten an otherwise bleak January are kicking some tires in Detroit, sipping an icy cool one in Niagara and riding the waves indoors in Toronto.

Yes, the renowned North American International Auto Show in Detroit is alive and well.

Attention turns to the Motor City this month for an insight on how automakers are coping and putting the pedal to the metal attempting to cruise back onto Easy Street.

Visitors to the show, running from next Saturday to Jan. 24, will find a new feature, Electric Avenue, and about 30 worldwide and 10 North American product unveilings at the downtown Cobo Center.

"The public and media will be treated to a number of world debuts of highly anticipated vehicles from exhibitors such as Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, Audi and Volvo to name a few,'' said Doug Fox, show chairperson.

Electric Avenue will showcase green vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, Commuter Cars Tango 600 and the SABA "Carbon Zero'' Roadster.

These are the latest in electric vehicles, with about 20 on display, and technology by both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs will be shown.

As well, there's the EcoXperience where the public can take rides inside and burn up that quarter-mile (0.4-kilometre) track through Michigan landscape in low-emission vehicles.

Returning is the sneak-peek gala evening, the Charity Preview, next Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tickets costing $250 US.

Inspecting the fleet as more than 1,000 boats will be on display at the Toronto International Boat Show. (Handout)

The show attracts more than 650,000 people over its nine-day run and is a quick hop over the border from Windsor.

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Explore wine country and sip a cool one at the Niagara Icewine Festival.

As the region's signature winter event, things heat up from the gala kick-off next Friday through Jan. 31 with cozy winery tours, winemakers' dinners and icy activities including the famous ice bar.

The launch at the Fallsview Casino Resort includes "incredible cuisine paired with fabulous offerings from more than 25 wineries across Niagara coming together with a great night of entertainment,'' said Kimberly Hundertmark, director of events. (Tickets for the gala are $175.) Events over the three weekends include "gala evenings, outdoor tastings and ice skating, decadent dessert pairings and educational winery experiences along Niagara's famed wine route,'' she added.

The event, which marks the release of Ontario's award-winning Icewines, created from grapes left to freeze on the vine before harvesting, features a tour pass.

The "Discovery Pass,'' at $30, is valid throughout the event and provides admission to special events and tours at a choice of six wineries for wine and food pairings.

Other events include New Orleans jazz at the new Wine Education Centre and activities across Niagara such as Winterfest in St. Catharines, Twenty Valley Winter Winefest in Jordan and Winterglow in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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Head out to the "lake'' and see the waterskiing dog at the 52nd annual Toronto International Boat Show starting today through to Jan. 17.

Held in the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place, there are more than 1,000 boats on display and in the water - everything from canoes, sailboats and kayaks to runabouts, cruisers and pontoons - and hundreds of exhibitors.

Visitors can ride in canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and inflatable boats on what publicist Chris McDowall says is the "world's largest indoor recreational boating venue'' at Ricoh Coliseum.

Holding more than 4.5-million litres of water, the lake also features wakeboarding and boat-handling demonstrations.

Don't miss Duma, the five-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, who not only water-skis but drives the boat on the lake (twice daily, Jan. 15 to17 only).

There's also the "Great Canadian Fish Tank'' with one of Canada's top anglers, Bob Izumi, boating seminars, sailing yachts open for boarding, boating and fishing areas for children and "Cottage Country'' with a full-size cottage built by Confederation Log Homes. Henry's Fish House of Georgian Bay will be preparing its famous fish dishes to recall that taste of summer in the islands.

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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If you go

 

• North American International Auto Show, Detroit, information: www.naias.com; (248) 643-0250.

   

   

• Niagara Icewine Festival: www.niagaraicewinefestival.com; (905) 688-0212.

   

   

• Toronto International Boat Show: www.torontoboatshow.com; (905) 951-0009.