Summer 2003 in Ottawa – Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa, Canada Travel Guide
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International Fireworks Competition. |
Summer 2003 in Ottawa
Now that winter is a thing of the past, the spring and summer festive season has arrived, packed with fun events. Here are some of the more popular ones. Unless otherwise noted, all phone numbers are in area code 613. Visitors will be happy to know that there have been no cases of SARS in Ottawa at all.
APRIL:
“Atlantic Scene”, a festival of arts and culture from Atlantic Canada, Apr 22-May 4 at the National Arts Centre. More than 200 music, dance, visual arts and standup comedians will appear in over a dozen venues. 755-1111 or www.nac-can.ca.
Ottawa Lynx AAA Baseball (North Division of the International League) play 72 home games, beginning on April 10. Formerly affiliated with the NL Expos, they are now the main farm team of the AL Orioles. www.ottawalynx.com, or phone 747-LYNX.
Ottawa Senators (NHL). Winners of the President’s Trophy for most points in the regular season, the Senators will be playing at the Corel Centre in April and May in their quest for the Stanley Cup. www.ottawasenators.com.
MAY:
Canadian Tulip Festival May 1 -19. 567-5757 or www.tulipfestival.ca. This year’s featured country will be Australia. In addition to millions of tulips all through the city, there will be an artisans’ craft fair, outdoor concerts day and night, the tulip flotilla on the Rideau Canal, the nautical parade of lights on Dow’s Lake, and the Tulip Ball.
Museum of Civilization, until 11 May. “The Bog People”, extraordinary ancient artifacts and mummies found in European bogs. 776-7000.
National Capital Race Weekend, May 11-12. Run, walk, or in-line skate around the Canal, with courses from 2 km to full Marathon, and everything in between. Over 15,000 entrants are expected for the marathon. 234-2221, 567-2221; www.ncm.ca.
RCMP Musical Ride, May 27-June 1. 998-8190, www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
JUNE:
Festival of the Arts for Young Audiences June 5-8. Magicians, readers, unusual musical groups, arts and crafts, and the Saigon Water Puppet Theatre from Vietnam. 241-999 or www.ottawachildrensfestival.ca.
National Gallery of Canada June 6-September 7, French 18th-century masterpieces, Watteau, Chardin, Fragonard, more. 1-800-319-ARTS; www.national.gallery.ca.
29th Annual Italian Week. Music, food, art, opera, pageantry. 224-4388, 726-0920, 224-4388.
28th Annual Franco-Ontarian Festival June 11-15 and 24. One of the most important French celebrations in North America. 755-2553 or www.ffo.ca.
National Capital Airshow June 14-15. 526-1030. There is a possibility that the venue may change from that of previous years, so check the phone number or web-site for further developments.
Changing of the Guard Ceremony at 10 a.m. June 22 to August 23 on Parliament Hill lawn, 1-800-465-1867. There are also ceremonial guards at the gate and main entrance to the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall.
At dates to be announced later, the Canadian Forces’ massed bands, pipes and drums will also perform a traditional Sunset Ceremony at 9:45 pm. Phone the number above to keep abreast of developments.
Capital City Beer Festival, at Festival Plaza, June 20-22. 1-877-427-0235 or www.thebeerstore.ca. Over 30 breweries with over 100 brands of beer, plus live music and food.
Ottawa Renegades Pro Football (CFL), 231-5608 or www.ottawarenegades.net. Although they play two pre-season games in May, the season-opener home game is June 20. The Renegades are the latest team in the sport that has been played in Ottawa since the 1890s.
Nortel Networks Dragon Boat Race, June 21-22 at Mooney’s Bay, with over 100 teams, multicultural stage performances, exhibitions and children’s activities. 238-7711 or www.dragonboat.net.
“Unisong”, June 28-July 2, youth and children’s choirs from across Canada at the National Arts Centre and other locations. 234-3360, 1-800-267-8526 or www.abc.ca.
JULY:
Canada Day July 1 on Parliament Hill and other venues, 239-5000, 1-800-465-1867. Concerts, shows, street performers, spectacular fireworks.
Bluesfest, July 4 -13, Canada’s largest blues festival, in outdoors settings. Gospel tent, acoustic tent, and main stage. 247-1188 or www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca.
Great Composers Festival July 5-26 at the National Arts Centre (NAC), 947-7000 or 1-866-850-ARTS. NAC orchestra, conductor Pinchas Zukerman, pianist Angela Hewitt and many others, plus children’s performers. www.nac-can.ca.
“HOPE” (Helping Other People Everywhere) Beach Volleyball Tournament for charity, the world’s largest, 79 courts, over 1,000 teams. 237-1433 or www.hopehelps.com.
Pride Festival July 7-13, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender communities. Party, parade, picnic, community fair. 238-2424 or www.gaycanada.com/ottawa-pride.
International Jazz Festival July 18-27, performances in studios and open air. 241-2633 or www.ottawajazzfestival.com.
International Chamber Music Festival July 26-August 9, the world’s largest, featuring the finest musicians from across Canada and around the world, performing in beautiful heritage churches. For complete agenda and names of performers, see www.chamberfest.com, or phone 234-8008.
Sound and Light Fireworks at Lac Leamy in Gatineau: also July 26-August 9, annual major international competition. 1-888-429-3389, (819) 771-3389
AUGUST:
29th Annual Greek Festival August 14-24, live music, Greek dances and cuisine, children’s day, prizes. 225-8016 or www.ottawagreekfest.com.
Central Canada Exhibition August 14-24, midway, concerts, daredevils, everything you’d expect from a major fair that’s been held for more than a century. 237-7222 or www.the-ex.com.
Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships August 23-25. Has the world’s largest cash prize for fiddling. 727-6650.
7th Annual Ottawa Folk Festival August 22-24, with music, dance, storytelling and crafts. Over 150 performers on six stages. 230-8234 or www.ottawafolk.org.
SEPTEMBER:
16th Annual Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, Labour Day weekend. Over 150 balloons from eight countries, 200 shows and activities, and great fireworks. Phone (819) 243-2331 or 1-800-668-8383 or www.ville.gatineau.qc.ca/festival/english.
“Bytown Days” September 6-14. Re-enactment of life in old “Bytown” before Confederation.
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