Looking for something to do on Canada Day that’s a little bit different? The Bay Ward community has plenty of fun, family-friendly activities going on that you can explore in addition to events that are happening all across the city. Wishing you a safe and Happy Canada Day long weekend ahead!
Glabar Park
The Glabar Park Canada Day committee invites residents out to participate is a variety of family friendly events at Kingsmere Park. There will be a DJ playing music by Canadian artists played between the hours of 11:00am & 8:00pm. Starting at 11:30am there will be a Reconciliation Circle in Lorry Greenberg Park, where residents are invited to join Algonquin youth activist Kyrstin Dumont and myself in a sacred circle to discuss the path forward and what is needed to restore our connection to one another while Identifying issues, needs and concerns. This event is through pre-registration and is almost full. If you are interested in participating please send an email to glabarparkca@gmail.com .
Party like it’s 1922
Ever wanted to experience what Canada Day celebrations might have been like in the 1920s and 1930s? Here’s your chance! Grab your picnic basket, fill it with goodies and head over to the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.
Enjoy a relaxing day trying out some heritage-inspired lawn games, such as potato sack racing, a carnival-style striker game and ring tossing. When you’re not playing games, be sure to explore the heritage and true-to-era buildings, where you can learn about heritage trades, see the farm animals and more.
The event runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday, July 1, and costs $8.50 for adults, $6 for seniors, youth and students, and $21.50 for families of four. Children under five years old can enter for free.
For more information about this event, or to learn more about the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, visit Ottawa.ca/CumberlandMuseum.
Explore local art while on the go
While the City’s art galleries might be closed on Canada Day, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to check out some local artwork.
If you find yourself on Sparks Street this weekend, be sure to check out the Moments of Respite exhibition, which feature the work of Brian Adams and the late Annie Pootoogook. Moments of Respite shares histories and insights into Inuit identity from East to West and captures the community’s continuance and the richness of their cultural practices.
Explore more Indigenous artwork along the LRT stage 2 construction hoarding. The works of nine Indigenous artists can be found on display along multi-use pathways. In the spirit of the City of Ottawa’s Reconciliation Action Plan, the participating artists submitted culturally relevant images on the theme Land is Medicine.
You can learn more about these artists and their work on ottawa.ca/Stage2LandIsMedicine.
If you’re heading to or from Rideau station, be sure to stop by Corridor 45|75, a 25-metre-long exhibition space that hosts approximately three exhibitions each year. The current exhibition is Alter Ego by Alexander Finlay, a visual artist based in Gatineau. Alter Ego dissects altered superheroes through portraiture.
“Alter ego continues my dissection of altered superheroes through portraiture. I use iconic costumes and drag queen makeup to give each character a new identity. It is deliberate that some of the models don’t have an exact resemblance to their character. These portraits represent freedom and were shaped by how the models see themselves. They personify confidence, vulnerability, stereotypes, and gender roles.” -Alexander Finlay
Corridor 45|75 isn’t the only place you can explore public artwork while you’re on the go. Artwork from 24 artists can also be found at 13 other o-train line 1 stations.
Meet your neighbours at local community events
LeBreton Flats Park isn’t the only place to enjoy fireworks and other fun activities. Check with your local community group to see if any events are happening in your area, or check out the list of some events happening across the city on Ottawa.ca.
Have fun in the sun
If mother nature decides to bring out the sun, the City has lots of splash pads, pools and beaches that are fun for the entire family. Many pools and beaches will be operating on a modified schedule for Canada Day, so be sure to check the hours of the pool near you before you go.
