Now that Canada Day has come and gone, it feels as though summer has well and truly started! No wonder there are so many road trip options this week, from music festivals at Tremblant and Chaffey’s Lock to the Fort Henry Sunset Ceremony in Kingston, a sandcastle festival in Gatineau, and art sales in Dunvegan and the Glebe. Happy travels!
Enjoy music by the water at Chaffey’s Lock
Chaffey’s Lock in the Rideau Lakes is the site of the Opinicon Lake Music Festival on Saturday, July 6. Head to the Opinicon Resort for a packed day of concerts, featuring the Brea Lawrenson Band (country; see video above), Miss Emily (soul, blues), Taylor Angus (jazz, folk), Kevin & the Kitchen Sink (pop, folk, roots), Tim Moxam (folk, pop) and RedFox (indie folk). Admission is free, but donations to support the Rideau District High School music program are encouraged. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Hunt for antiques in Perth
Looking for some vintage silver, china, art, textiles, tools, jewellery, art, furniture or decor pieces, or retro collectibles? You might have good luck at the Perth Antique Show and Sale (July 6 and 7) at the Civitan Club of Perth, where dealers from Ontario and Quebec will be selling their finds. The show runs from 10am to 4pm both days.
Catch a festival—and a fish—at Jessup’s Falls
You’ll find Jessup’s Falls in Plantagenet, where the South Nation River tumbles into the Ottawa River. And on Sunday, July 7, the free Jessup’s Falls Festival is a great chance to meet local artists and vendors, learn about the region’s ecology, take a mini jet boat ride and enjoy a barbecue. As Saturday is also the last day of the Ontario Family Fishing Event (a week when you can fish for free, without a licence), attendees are encouraged to bring fishing gear, if they’re so inclined.
Thrill to military pageantry in Kingston
Here’s a classic Eastern Ontario experience: The Fort Henry Sunset Ceremony takes place at the historic fort in Kingston every Wednesday night in July and August, beginning Wednesday, July 3. The show recreates the military music and drills that took place at the fort in the 1860s.
Play in the sand in Gatineau
What small child doesn’t love building sand castles? Indulge your kids (and yourself) at the Wonders of Sand (Merveilles de sable) festival in Gatineau (July 5 to 7). Watch master sand sculptors at work, build your own creation, compete in a soapbox derby and more.
Hum along to Beach Boys tunes in Brockville
What better time than summer could there be for a show by the Beach Party Boys, a Beach Boys tribute band? They’re playing the Brockville Arts Centre on July 3 and 4.
Thrill to the circus in Montreal or Kingston
The Montreal Cirque Festival (July 4 to 14) brings acrobats, trapeze artists and all sorts of other circus performers to indoor and outdoor venues across the city for a mix of free and paid performances.
Ever wondered what it would be like to see Cirque du Soleil on ice? Well, Crystal is your answer, and it’s on at the Leons Centre in Kingston from July 3 to 7.
Kick up your heels in Almonte
Almonte Celtfest will have the Lanark County town tapping its toes to Irish, Scottish and other Celtic tunes this weekend (July 5 to 7). Musical acts on stage will include Anna Ludlow, the Mudmen, Twin Flames and Ashley MacIsaac. As well as concerts, there will be workshops focusing on a range of instruments (including bodhrán, fiddle and guitar), along with kids’ activities. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
Get artsy in the Glebe or Dunvegan
The Glebe Art in Our Gardens and Studio Tour takes place this weekend (July 6 and 7). You can see art by 12 artists at sites scattered across the downtown Ottawa neighbourhood. Works include paintings, photographs and glass pieces.
Also this weekend, the Glengarry Artists’ Collective Art Show comes to the Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan, about an hour southeast of Ottawa, on Saturday, July 6.
Enjoy barbecue and tunes in Lake Placid
The name pretty much says it all: The I Love BBQ and Music Festival in Lake Placid (July 5 to 7) serves up lots of live music and lots of grilled goodies. The event is a fundraiser for the Shipman Youth Center.
Have some laughs in Gatineau
Need a laugh? If you can follow French well enough to get some rapid-fire jokes, the Festival d’Humour de Gatineau (July 4 to 6) may offer just the giggles you’re looking for.
Stop and smell the flowers in Prince Edward County
Breathe deeply: The Prince Edward County Lavender Farm in Hillier is holding a Lavender Festival this weekend and next (July 6, 7, 13 and 14). Pick your own lavender, get a massage in a lavender field, shop for lavender products, learn how lavender oil is distilled, search for fossils and learn about Métis dot art (the dot art workshop is on July 13 only). Other amusements include face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and lots of live music.
Chat with authors in Eganville
The 17th annual Bonnechere Authors Festival of weekly author readings kicks off on July 8 at The Eagle’s Nest at 178 Jane Street in Eganville. Featured authors this year are Ron Corbett and John Owens (July 8), Catherine Porter (July 15), Mark Bourrie (July 22) and Joyce Wayne (July 29). All of the authors will also be offering free writers’ workshops, usually on the Tuesday after their festival appearance (except for Catherine Porter, whose workshop will be on the same day as her festival talk).
Do yoga in Picton
The first-ever Prince Edward County Yoga Festival comes to the Crystal Palace in Picton on July 6 and 7. It will feature classes, speakers, a vendors’ market and, on Sunday, early-morning beach yoga.
Rock on at LeBreton Flats and Mont Tremblant
The huge RBC Ottawa Bluesfest opens on LeBreton Flats this week (and runs from July 4 to 14), with acts ranging from Eric Church and Alexisonfire to the Backstreet Boys and Wu-Tang Clan.
Further afield, the hills of Mont Tremblant will be alive with the sound of blues music (and R&B, soul, rock, funk, swing, gospel and zydeco) during this year’s Festival International du Blues de Tremblant (July 5 to 14). Choose from dozens of shows, most of them free.
Catch a comedy in Gananoque
A teenager growing up in Alberta in the 1970s decides to become a crooner—with Rocky Balboa and John Travolta as his inspiration—in Made in Italy, a musical comedy on stage at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque (July 5 to 28).
Take a garden tour in Lansdowne or Belleville
These two tours on Saturday, July 6, are for all of you green thumbs! First, the Lansdowne Garden Tour (in Lansdowne, Ontario, near Gananoque—not at Lansdowne Park!) runs from 10am to 3pm, features seven gardens and includes a buffet lunch—all for $12 in advance or $15 on the day. Further afield, CFUW Belleville and District’s Town and Country Garden Tour showcases eight gardens and includes a box lunch for $30. It’s happening from 10am to 4pm.
Play drive-in bingo in Carp
Under the B: a fun night out! Drive-in bingo is an annual tradition at the Carp Fairgrounds. This year, get your chips and daubers ready on Wednesday nights, from July 3 until July 31. The barbecue starts at 6pm and the game starts at 7pm, and the game runs rain or shine. Adults can play for $10 per person. Kids are welcome but are not allowed to play.
See buskers in Kingston
The streets of the Limestone City will host countless outdoor performances during Kingston Buskers Rendezvous 2019 (July 4 to 7). Jugglers, dancers and all sorts of other artists will be using their talents to entertain the crowds.
Celebrate Indian culture in Montreal
The Festival of India (July 6 and 7) in Montreal includes a parade on St. Laurent Boulevard, as well as dance and musical performances, yoga demonstrations, bouncy castles and other amusements in Jeanne Mance Park—and it’s all free!
Discover a historic site
Some 400 historic sites across Canada are participating in Historic Places Day on Saturday, July 6. Some sites have special events—for instance, you can take a walking tour from the Perth Museum. Others are simply offering a special invitation to come check them out. Click on the “places” tab in the link above to find sites near you participating in the day. Watson’s Mill in Manotick, Maison Strutt House in Gatineau and Fort Wellington in Prescott are among those near Ottawa.
Take in a huge slate of classical music in Ottawa
The Music and Beyond Festival (July 4 to 18) presents roughly 100 classical music concerts and events in a variety of venues. This year, you can choose from a Mozart gala, shows aimed at children, a concert featuring rock versions of classical pieces and much, much more.
Nosh on deep-fried treats in Napanee
This might not be the healthiest festival ever, but it does sound fun. The Adult Beverage and Deep-Fried Food Festival in Napanee on Saturday, July 6, gives visitors the chance to sample all sorts of local beer, cider, wine and spirits, along with churros and something called double-layered poutine (I’m intrigued).
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2 comments
Hi laura. I am not getting the newsletter on my e-mail. I think my husband deleted it. Could you please add me again. I really miss it. pdeline@rogers.com. Thanks. patty
My records show you’re still on my mailing list! The newsletters might be going to your spam folder. If that’s the case, I think all you need to do is add the Ottawa Road Trips address (laura@ottawaroadtrips.com) to your contacts list in your email program. I’m not on Rogers email, but if you have problems adding me to your contacts list, please let me know and I’ll try my best to help. I’m glad you enjoy the newsletter–thanks!