As you’ve all probably heard by now, golf courses, tennis courts and many other types of outdoor recreational facilities (but not ALL types) will be allowed to re-open in Ontario on Saturday, May 22. I expect many of you have already popped your sports equipment in the trunk in anticipation!
Here are a few more fun things, both “real world” and virtual, that you can enjoy on this sultry long weekend and during the week to come—including an online music festival, a Greenbelt farm, mountain biking in the Outaouais and a virtual comic book event.
And remember: Stay within your community for now and take all the required social distancing measures.
Ride to raise money for the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation
OK, you might not be able to qualify for the top fundraising prize unless you really hustle, as the current leader has already drummed up $9,000! However, you CAN still qualify for draw prizes, including a Teslica e-bike, in Brockville’s Ride the River cycling event (May 22 to May 30). Cycle alone or with members of your household to raise money for the foundation’s campaign to raise money for a new ureteroscope.
Catch an online music festival
Megaphono, an annual celebration of the National Capital Region’s music scene, has gone free and virtual this year. On May 25 and 26, you can enjoy all sorts of livestreamed concerts, but there’s even more to the event than that. Musicians, booking agents, record company executives and others will also have the chance to meet and network with each other through a Zoom-based conference.
Hit the slopes in the Outaouais
Mountain bikers looking for new ideas, take note: Tourisme Outaouais has rounded up a list of noteworthy mountain biking trails throughout West Quebec, from a new facility in Montebello and trails with a high vertical drop at Mont Ste-Marie to biking spots at Camp Fortune and in the Pontiac.
Commune with fellow comics fans online
Ottawa Comiccon is holding its latest Virtual Saturday event on Facebook Live on Saturday, May 22, starting at 7pm. You can watch celebrity interviews, see a live drawing demo, and bid for comics, toys, signed photos and other items during a live auction.
Eat BeaverTails while buying plants
Here’s a tasty way to multitask: You can get your sweets fix while shopping for annuals, perennials, veggies and more this weekend at Milliken Landscaping Garden Centre in Braeside. On Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, the folks from BeaverTails will be frying up their trademark pastries onsite for browsers to enjoy. After all, plant shopping is hard work, right? You need to keep your strength up!
Head to a farm in Ottawa’s east end
Ottawa Farm Fresh is a working farm on Ramsayville Road in the Greenbelt, not far from the Walkley exit from Highway 417. This weekend (May 20 to 24), the farm is opening for the season. Visitors can buy veggies, seeds and plants, bring a picnic or enjoy barbecued goodies, chat with Farmer Jo about their gardening questions, and more. Note: You need to book a time slot in advance online.
Get dinner to go in Kingston
The Kingstonlicious promotion continues this month with lots of K’town restaurants offering $45 prix-fixe meals. Options include everything from Mexican fusion and Texas barbecue to tapas and charcuterie—all available as takeout, of course.
See Ottawa’s tulips…virtually
Didn’t make it to the online version of the Canadian Tulip Festival last weekend? No worries! You still have time to book a livestreamed tour of the flowerbeds, enjoy tulip-themed online activities, and watch videos (like the one above) about how the National Capital Commission plans and manages the gardens. The online festival runs until Monday, May 24.
Drop into a farmers’ market on opening weekend
Lots of local farmers’ markets are opening for the season this weekend, including markets in Brockville, Harrowsmith, Kemptville and Pembroke, as well as the Barrhaven Farmers’ Market at The Log Farm (not to be confused with the Barrhaven Market at the Nepean Woods transit station, which opens next weekend). Check out my big list of farmers’ markets for details.
Looking for more tips for things to see and do in Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter and/or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.