It might be the dead of winter, but there’s still lots going on in and around Ottawa! From sugar bush pancake breakfasts in Vanier and a family musical in Carleton Place to Elvis tunes in Morrisburg, fireworks in Aylmer, restaurant deals in Syracuse and a festival of light in Montreal, this weekend offers lots of inspiration to get out of the house and enjoy winter—indoors or out!
Catch a concert in Shawville
Lynne Hanson. Photo courtesy of Little Red Winery.
Ottawa singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson—joined by Blair Michael Hogan on guitar and Peter Klaassen on bass—will be showcasing her new album, Just Words, at The Little Red Wagon Winery in Shawville, Quebec, on Saturday February 22. Tickets to dinner and a show or the show only are available through the winery’s website.
Also this weekend, the Bill Durst Band hits the stage at the Cove Country Inn in Westport. This is the first time for the Stratford-based group has played as part of the inn’s Blues on the Rideau series, and the promise is for a night of heavy, ZZ Top-influenced blues.
See a War of 1812 battle re-enactment in Ogdensburg
The original Battle of Ogdensburgh (yep, the old-style spelling) took place on February 22, 1813. This year, it’s being re-enacted twice, on February 22 and 23, in Ogdensburg, New York.
Sample maple syrup in Vanier, Pakenham and McDonald’s Corners
Maple sugar bush photo courtesy of Wheeler’s Maple and Lanark County Tourism.
Spring must be coming, because the sugar bush season is underway at several local maple sugar bushes, including the Muséo Parc Vanier (now open for breakfast on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until April 26), Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush in Pakenham (pancake house open February 15 to April 19) and Wheeler’s Maple in McDonald’s Corners (maple season hasn’t started yet, but the museum, shop and trails are open year round). Bring on the pancakes and taffy!
Get a dining deal in Syracuse
Heading to Syracuse in the next two weeks? Then you can take advantage of Downtown Dining Weeks (February 17 to March 1), when 45 restaurants will be offering lunch deals for $10 or less, as well as three-course dinner menus for $30 or less.
Celebrate National Aviation Day in Ottawa
The Silver Dart was Canada’s first successful airplane.
The Silver Dart made Canada’s first successful flight on February 23, 1909. The Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa is marking that anniversary on Sunday, National Aviation Day, with all sorts of special activities for families. Kids can dress up in period clothes (supplied on site), take a spin in a toddler-sized model of the Silver Dart, make prints with ink and rollers, and learn about space travel.
Ski until midnight at Mont Cascades
On Fridays until March 6 (including this Friday, February 21), Mont Cascades in Cantley, Quebec, is hosting White Hot Fridays. You can ski until midnight, kick back to music by great DJs and hang out in the Amigo Pub.
Chase away the winter blues in Montreal
Flickr/Creative Commons photo of Nuit Blanche at Montréal en Lumière by
Matias Garabedian.
The Montréal en Lumière festival will soon be lighting up Quebec’s largest metropolis for 11 days (February 20 to March 1). It encompasses hundreds of events and attractions, including concerts, special restaurant menus, an ice slide, a Ferris wheel and much, much more. And on Saturday, February 29, the fun will go all night long (into Sunday morning, that is) during Nuit Blanche.
See The Lion King Jr. in Carleton Place
The Mississippi Mudds Junior—the youth troupe of the Mississippi Mudds theatre company—is presenting its stage version of Frozen Jr. (February 21 to March 1). The musical involves performers aged nine to 18, and performances take place at the Carleton Place Town Hall. Tickets are available online.
Marvel at magic in Orleans
Photo courtesy of the Shenkman Arts Centre.
At 16, Winnipeg-born Chris Funk swerved from his planned career as a violinist into a life as a magician in Vegas and on cruise ships. He brings his blend of music, magic and multimedia to the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on Saturday, February 22.
Play in the snow in Aylmer, White Lake, Horton, Ripon or Montebello
Five places near Ottawa are holding winter carnivals this weekend. In Aylmer, Les Feux sur Glace offers a giant igloo, campfires, a DJ and fireworks (February 22). The White Lake Winter Carnival will feature tobogganing, face painting, a pancake breakfast, a polar plunge and other fun (February 21 and 22). The Horton Township Winter Carnival, near Renfrew, includes sleigh rides, lumberjack competitions, a family skate and more (February 22). Northwest of Montebello, the Carnaval de Ripon offers skating, music, hot chocolate and a canteen (February 21 and 22). And, closer to Montebello, the Parc Oméga animal preserve is holding a winter carnival from February 22 to March 8 and again from March 14 to March 22, to provide March Break amusement for families from Quebec and Ontario.
Shop for boats and other outdoor gear in Ottawa
Photo courtesy of the Ottawa Boat Show.
The Ottawa Boat Show aims to draw outdoorsy types to the EY Centre in Ottawa this weekend (February 20 to 23). Hundreds of exhibitors will be showcasing the latest watercraft, paddleboards, fishing gear and more.
Rock on to Elvis tunes in Morrisburg
Elvis tribute artist Roy LeBlanc is back at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg to sing the King’s biggest tunes during Blue Suede Shoes: A Tribute to Elvis Presley (February 21 to 23).
Discover Indigenous traditions in Victor, New York
On Saturday, February 22, the 17th annual Native American Winter Games in Victor, New York (about four hours from Ottawa) will give visitors the chance to sample (and buy) traditional Indigenous foods, race a snow boat, see Iroquois social dancers and more.
Browse for books in Ottawa
Flickr/Creative Commons photo by Hervé Loth.
As someone who has boxes and boxes of books in her basement, and yet often finds herself with “nothing to read,” I’m a sucker for used book sales. And a big one is coming to town this weekend: The Elmdale BookFest (February 21 and 22) is a major fundraiser for Elmdale Public School. NOTE: This year, it’s being held at Fisher Park/Summit Alternative Public School.
See documentaries in Wakefield
This weekend’s films at the Wakefield Doc Fest are Bellingcat: Truth in a Post-Truth World, about international citizen journalists (February 21 and 22); and The Silence of Others, about victims of General Franco’s dictatorship in Spain (February 22 and 23).
Walk for a good cause in Ottawa, Pembroke, Smiths Falls or Kingston
Lace up those cozy, sturdy boots and join the Coldest Night of the Year, a family-friendly walk that raises money for charities serving those in need, particularly hungry or homeless people. Walks are scheduled in more than 130 communities across Canada, including Pembroke and Kingston, as well as separate walks in Centretown and Lowertown in Ottawa. All the walks are taking place on Saturday, February 22.
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2 comments
Laura,
Many thanks for the post regarding Lynne Hanson’s show at The Little Red Wagon Winery in Shawville. It was a packed house an an awesome show!
You’re very welcome, Mark! Glad the show was great!