Let’s Go Ottawa
When do the leaves turn colour in Ottawa?
- Friday, 24 September 2010 04:52
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
Our Visitor Services people at Ottawa Tourism often get asked this question.
The Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm (located near the Canada Agriculture Museum and Dows Lake) is a riot of colour each fall in Ottawa.It’s fair to say that usually the peak of fall colours in our area usually comes around Thanskgiving weekend — that’s CANADIAN Thanksgiving (for our American readers!), which is the second Monday of October — however, Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate!
So here are a few tools you can use to keep up-to-date on the progress of the fabulous fall colours:
Ontario Parks maintains a website that shows how the leaves are doing in the various provincial parks throughout Ontario. Click on the Ottawa area on the map in the upper left of the page and you’ll get a listing of various parks in eastern Ontario with an estimate of the percentage of leaves that have already changed.
For Gatineau Park (just 15 minutes north of downtown Ottawa, in the province of Québec), there’s great information on the National Capital Commission’s website.
There are activities planned over the first three October weekends in Gatineau Park as part of the Fall Rhapsody program, that are certain to please.
Now get out there and enjoy the leaves!
Flashmobs – An Ottawa Tradition?
- Tuesday, 21 September 2010 04:52
This past Saturday afternoon, folks out for a stroll or sipping an afternoon beer on the ByWard Market’s picturesque William St. were treated to the following impromptu performance of the pivotal final dance number from Napoleon Dynamite, set to Jamiroquai’s Canned Heat:
The flashmob, organized by a collection of both trained and novice dancers, took place outside the market’s popular Sugar Mountain candy store, and as you can see in the video below, drew a sizable crowd of spectators. But if you think this kind of thing is new in Ottawa, you may be surprised to know that after a bit of searching on Youtube, I discovered that the Capital is developing quite a burgeoning pedigree when it comes to spur-of-the-moment public group numbers. For history’s sake, I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a few of the YouTube examples I found kicking around.
This one left more than a few bypassers tightening up their coat collars for warmth. Jump to around 1:16 to get a bit of a laugh from a young witness:
And our popular Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest was home to a impromptu staff-organized performance to AC/DC:
Sure, we may just be getting our feet wet when compared to until we’re quite ready to compete with video below, but I know that the good people of Ottawa are up for a challenge. Keep ‘em coming!
Savour Ottawa Chef/Media Farm Tour #1 a hit!
- Wednesday, 15 September 2010 04:52
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
On Monday, September 13, a couple dozen chefs and media representatives took a ride through Ottawa’s countryside to visit three Savour Ottawa member farms: Acorn Creek Garden Farm, Senior Farm and the Elk Ranch.
Participants met the farmers, took short tours of the operations and learned much more about the local foods movement that is Savour Ottawa. They were also provided with a delicious lunch — using ingredients sourced from the farms on the tour — prepared by Chef Bruce Enloe, owner of The Branch Restaurant.
A second tour is planned for Monday, September 27 heading to farms in the south end of the city. Tours are for Savour Ottawa members and members of the media (unfortunately not for the general public). If you’re interested in attending the September 27 tour, please contact Jantine at media [at] ottawatourism [dot] ca as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.
Enjoy the video:
How many people does it take to pull a plane?
- Friday, 10 September 2010 04:52
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
A shot of the INTERIOR of the Ottawa International Airport. The Plane Pull happens OUTSIDE!25 appears to be the answer, as can be seen in the annual Plane Pull Challenge at the Ottawa International Airport.
This event — to be held on Saturday, September 11 from 10am to 4pm — pits teams against each other to see who can pull FedEx A310 the fastest across a short distance along the tarmac. Spectators are encouraged!
Proceeds from the teams’ fundraising go to Project Clear Skies and the Sens Foundation.
Check out the fun bilingual video on the airport’s site: http://www.ottawaplanepull.ca/english.php
One day only? Secret beer from Beau’s All Natural
- Wednesday, 08 September 2010 04:52
- Written by Jantine Van Kregten
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company in nearby Vankleek Hill is known not just for its great brews but also its innovativeness. They’ve now just announced that they’ve brewed a special, extra malty, extra hoppy version of their beer and are selling it tomorrow — Thursday, September 9 — at their brewery and at select bars and restaurants.
Known as ‘sticke’ – German slang for ‘secret’ – it’s supposedly a tradition of brewers of Alt Beer in Dusseldorf.
Beau’s has brewed an amped-up version of FestivAle – their summer seasonal beer (which recently won a gold medal at le Mondial de la Biere in Strasbourg, France).
Ask for “Festivale Plus” tomorrow at the following locations in Ottawa: Arrow & Loon, Atomic Rooster, Play Food & Wine, Imperial Café, Irene’s, Wellington Gastropub, Whalesbone & Town On Elgin.
Ballygiblins in Carleton Place also has it, as does the Cheshire Cat in Carp.
In Toronto, try it at Bar Volo, Bryden’s, C’est What, Highway 61 & The Rhino. In Cambridge, visit Golden Kiwi.
Gananoque’s Old English Pub, Guelph’s Woolwich Arrow, Kemptville’s Salamanders & The Branch are also serving it.
In Kingston, visit Queen’s U Grad Club & Kingston Brewing Co; in Perth, visit The Crown & Stone Cellar, and in Vankleek Hill, go to lueberry Hill.
Cheers!
