From puppets and fireworks to boating and cooking, there are lots of good reasons to hit the road this weekend. Here are just a few ideas.
For the astronomer
This weekend marks the height of the annual Perseid meteor shower, when the skies will be alight with shooting stars. Enjoy the spectacle at Tremblant Beneath the Stars (August 7 and 8). Gaze through telescopes with le Club des astronomes amateurs de Laval, join a night hike or take in some of the educational talks.
For the chef
Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Liz West.
Vampires would be wise not to venture anywhere near Perth this weekend, where the annual Perth Lions Garlic Festival (August 8 and 9) at the fairgrounds will host more than 70 vendors, including garlic growers, other food vendors and artisans. You can see a bird of prey show, slake your thirst at the beer tent, pick up some tips at cooking demonstrations or place bids at the silent art auction. Face painting for the kids, wine tastings for the adults, and musicians and DJs will keep things hopping throughout the weekend.
For the carnivore
The Brockville Ribfest in Hardy Park (August 6 to 9) supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville. There’s something for just about everyone here, from a beer tent and a rib-eating contest to yoga, concerts, pony rides and a petting zoo. And the best news: most of it is free.
For the paddler
The Upper Ottawa River Race and Paddle Festival (August 7 to 9) will bring paddlers of all descriptions to Petawawa and Pembroke for kayak, canoe, standup paddling (SUP) and outrigger races, a watercraft-themed film festival, a SUP fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, live music, kids activities and lots of other fun. There will even be jousting!
For the pyrotechnics fan
Photo from the 2014 grand finale courtesy of Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light.
For the 20th year, the Casino Lac-Leamy Sound of Light show (five shows between August 8 to 22) will light up the skies above Gatineau and Ottawa. Head to the Canadian Museum of History (NOT the casino) to view the fireworks and hear the accompanying soundtrack. Feeling hungry? Buy tickets for the National Bank Gourmet Evening to enjoy a fancy meal in the Grand Hall of the museum before the show.
For the family
The Rideau Valley village of Portland will be hopping on Saturday, August 8, with celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Big Rideau Lake Association. The day kicks off with a farmers’ breakfast, followed by a community lunch, and there’s also a barbecue and a beer and wine tent. (It’s clear no one will go hungry or thirsty.) One of the highlights of the day is a sailing regatta on a timed course between Big Island and Portland, but you can also enjoy narrated wagon tours of the village, an antique vehicle show, kids’ activities, live music and more.
For the fair aficionado
Enjoy the charms of a country fair this weekend at the 177th Merrickville Agricultural Fair and Steam Show (August 7 to 9). Highlights include a midway, truck and ATV pulls, horse shows, wrestling, live country music and…a mechanical bull!
For the puppet lover
Kids of all ages (and more than a few parents, I suspect) will be captivated by the clever puppets at the 10th annual edition of the Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival in Mississippi Mills (August 7 to 9). Most of the festivities take place along Mill Street in Almonte. As well a variety of all-ages shows, there’s a puppet parade at 1:45 on Saturday and Sunday, and an adults-only cabaret performance on Saturday night.
For the reggae fan
Centennial Park in Etobicoke (on Toronto’s west side) will be thrumming with the sounds of reggae and redolent with the aroma of Jamaican barbecue during Jerkfest (August 8 and 9). You can enter separate competitions to cook and eat jerk chicken, or try your luck at a domino contest. Concerts, cooking demonstrations and a kids’ zone (complete with a midway and inflatable slides) round out the attractions.
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