It’s another busy weekend in and around Ottawa! From art workshops and fun runs to the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival and the 60th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway (with ghosts!), there’s a road trip for everyone. Happy travels!
Get artsy in Perth, Vankleek Hill and beyond
Art Works! Perth has launched a new studio tour, taking place from June 21 to 23 in 11 venues in and around Perth (including studios, breweries and a distillery). The tour features 21 artists, working in media as diverse as batik, watercolours and fused glass.
Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash.
On Saturday, June 22 (rain date June 23), Garden Path Homemade Soap in Vankleek Hill is hosting Painting in the Garden. Participants will sit under willow trees while learning how to paint pictures of whatever elements of the surrounding scenery appeal to them—from flowers and barns to trees and a bridge. Painting supplies are provided and beginners are welcome. Register in advance.
Summer Fibrations, the latest show by artists from Out of the Box, brings 150 fibre works to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte. The show opens on Saturday, June 22, and runs until Saturday, July 6.
In Chelsea, Galerie Old Chelsea is holding a vernissage for artist Sylvie Sabourin’s new exhibition, Éternelle Impermanence, on Sunday, June 23, from 1pm to 4pm. The show runs from June 21 to July 10.
Painters of all levels, from beginner to experienced, are welcome at the Modern Watercolours: Expressive Florals Retreat at the Tett Centre in Kingston on Saturday, June 22. Artist Danielle Folkerts will be providing exercises, one-on-one guidance and useful techniques in this half-day workshop. Advance registration required.
The Skeleton Park Arts Festival in Kingston (June 19 to 23) features everything from an artisans’ fair and food vendors to yoga classes, floral craft workshops and dance classes.
Art in the County, a juried art show, returns to Picton this year from June 21 to July 7. Three judges will be evaluating the works of artists from across the County, which will be on display at the Armoury at 206 Main Street.
See birds of prey in Kemptville
I’m not sure whether this specific breed of owl will be participating in the show, but lots of birds of prey will be there. Photo by Keith Lazarus on Unsplash.
Ponder the Seaway anniversary in Brockville and Long Sault
The St. Lawrence Seaway celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2019, and the Aquatarium in Brockville is marking the occasion on Saturday, June 22. Kids can build a model ship or take a “pirate class,” and the whole family can see movies, munch on perch tacos, try their luck at a dunk tank and browse for goodies from local vendors.
That evening, the Lost Villages Museums in Long Sault is offering a ghost tour of the museum’s buildings, which were moved to the site to preserve them when lands were flooded to build the Seaway. Have any former residents “returned” to their old digs? Paranormal investigators will try to find out. Advance reservations are required. (Make your reservations soon if you want to do this; the annual event often sells out.)
Celebrate Aboriginal culture in Ottawa
Photo by Andre R. Gagné courtesy of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival.
At the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival in Vincent Massey Park (June 20 to 23), you can see pow-wow performers, browse for works by native artisans, take your kids ziplining, cheer on chefs in the Indigenous Culinary Competition and more. Admission to the site is free.
Head to a country fair in Maxville
Maxville gets the jump on the avalanche of fall fairs by holding its event in early summer. The Maxville Fair (June 21 to 23) features bouncy castles, a donkey show, tug-of-war contests, a truck and tractor pull, pony rides, live entertainment and all sorts of other fun.
Celebrate in the Outaouais
L’Outaouais en fête (June 21 to 24) unfolds across West Quebec this week. Highlights include a midway, bouncy castles, buskers, live music, artisans’ booths and a parade.
Get some exercise in Smiths Falls, Pembroke or Tupper Lake
Photo by Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash.
It looks like this will be a great weekend to lace up your running shoes. On Friday, June 21, it’s the Relay for Life in Renfrew County 2019, which takes to the streets of Pembroke starting at 6pm. The next day, the You Otter Run/Walk 5K in Tupper Lake, New York, is open to participants aged 5 and up and supports educational programs at the Wild Centre. (Online registration is cheaper and ends on Friday.) That night, the Smiths Falls Classic is a fun and fitness run featuring 2.1K and 5K races. Online registration for the Smiths Falls run is now closed, but you can register on site on race day; see the website for details.
Get your classic hits fix in Brockville
On Saturday, June 22, the Brockville Arts Centre is presenting Still Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me—a show featuring the music of Bill Joel and Elton John (in case you’re still humming Elton John tunes after seeing the recent movie Rocketman).
Cheer on boaters and catch free concerts in Ottawa
Photo copyright Pam Tumbaga, courtesy of the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival.
Half Moon Run, Alan Doyle, Jess Moskaluke and USS will be among the acts providing the musical entertainment. Roughly 200 teams of energetic rowers will be getting spectators cheering. Yes, it’s time for crowds to converge on Mooney’s Bay for the very popular Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival (June 20 to 23). North America’s largest dragon boat fest also includes a large children’s area, with amusements such as face painting, crafts and a giant playground. And admission is free!
See classic cars in Carleton Place
Classic car collectors, start your engines: the Wheels on the Mississippi car show rolls into Riverside Park in Carleton Place on Sunday, June 23, sponsored by the Carleton Place Lions Club. As well as vintage wheels, there will be a free splash pad for the kids, a 50/50 draw and a beer garden for the grownups, and food vendors for the whole family.
Have breakfast on an island in Brockville
The fifth annual Island Breakfast is happening this week (June 19 to 22) on Refugee Island in Brockville. Hop aboard a boat in St. Lawrence Park for the quick trip to the island, then feast on bacon, ham, eggs, pancakes and other early morning goodies.
Enjoy strawberries in Manotick, Martintown or Pembroke
Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash.
Time to get your fix of yummy, yummy berries! On Saturday, June 22, the Martintown Mill Strawberry Festival runs from 10:30am to 2:30pm. On Sunday, June 23, the Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village in Pembroke is holding a strawberry social and Watson’s Mill in Manotick is holding an ice cream lawn social (which also features strawberries).
Shop for bargains in Renfrew
A big community garage sale is coming to the Horton Community Centre in Renfrew on Saturday, June 22, from 8am to noon.
Nibble on ribs in Ottawa
Flickr/Creative Commons photo of Ottawa Ribfest by Michael Nugent.
Carnivores, rejoice: It’s ribfest season! During Ottawa Ribfest (June 19 to 23) on the Sparks Street Mall, you can sample juicy meat grilled up by 13 ribbers from across North America, while grooving to live music. (And if you want to enjoy barbecue later in the summer, check out my recently updated list of 11+ ribfests near Ottawa.)
Rev your engines in Alexandria Bay
The Thousand Islands River Run (June 21 to 23) is a three-day festival of all things motorcycle in Alexandria Bay, New York—with lots of live music, too.
Tour water gardens in Ottawa
Photo by Jay Castor on Unsplash.
Seeking inspiration for your home water garden? Then check out the 2019 Water Garden Tour on Saturday, June 22, organized by the Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society. The route showcases 10 gardens by day and one by night, and proceeds support community garden projects.
Rock on to electronic music in Ottawa
The Bud Light Escapade Music Festival at Lansdowne Park (June 22 and 23) seems to grow bigger and more popular every year. Acts taking to the stage in 2019 include DJ Snake, Martin Garrix, Loud Luxury, Khaos and Zeds Ded. (If none of those names ring a bell with you, you’re probably outside the festival’s under-30 target market.)
Get your rhubarb fix in Eganville or Munster
Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash.
Those who like rhubarb like it a lot. If that’s you, head to Eganville on Saturday, June 22, for the sixth annual Rhubarb Fest at the Bonnechere Museum (9am to 11am). Nosh on pies and tortes, and pick up something gooey at the bake sale.
On Sunday, June 23, Saunders Farm in Munster is hosting a Midsummer Feast. The farm-to-table menu will include rhubarb-and-spruce-brined chicken, grilled asparagus, and mint couscous with sweet peas and feta.
Hear jazz under the stars in Ottawa
The TD Ottawa Jazz Festival once again features 11 days of music, indoors and out (June 21 to July 1). Artists include both jazz and non-jazz acts, including Norah Jones, The Roots, Judith Hill, Omara and Chicago.
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