It is the last official weekend of “summer,” and despite forecasts of potential rain in Ottawa, it should at least be a warm weekend to enjoy. Here are some fun events to look out for this weekend:
Ottawa International Animation Festival
This annual festival is the largest of its kind in North America. In addition to the five feature films and 101 shorts being showcased and up for award consideration, the festival features dozens of panels, talks, interviews, documentaries, themed spotlight showcases, and more. The festival is educative, informative, and fun. A full schedule of festival events, which mostly take place downtown, is available on the OIAF website. Ticket prices vary.
Nuit Blanche Ottawa-Gatineau
This overnight, dusk-til-dawn event that spotlights contemporary and local art across multiple venues takes place Saturday night through Sunday morning. Whether it be public art, dance, film, handcrafts, acrobatics, watercolour – there are over 100 different art installations to visit. Venues are spread across the region, with clusters in the Byward Market, Rideau area, Wellington West, and downtown Gatineau. Free shuttles are available to travel from zone to zone. The NBOG brochure (PDF) has the full schedule and handy maps.
Richmond Fair
With decently warm weather, it should be a perfect weekend to revel in rural entertainment at the Richmond Fair on the outskirts of Ottawa. The 170th annual event is a promotion of agriculture in the Ottawa area, and features horse shows, a demolition derby, live entertainment and music, and exhibits. For the kids, there is a petting zoo, pony rides, and rock climbing wall. For more information and a schedule of events visit the website.
Witness: Canadian Art of WWI
This special exhibition at the Canadian War Museum closes this week after a five-month run. Witness explores how Canadians depicted and interpreted the First World War, whether the artists were at home or overseas, civilian or military, in the trenches or in upper-class homes. Featuring works from iconic Canadian artists like A.Y. Jackson displayed alongside pieces from ordinary Canadian soldiers, it is your last chance to see this moving and important Canadian history collection in person.
2014 “Panda Game”
The Carleton University Ravens will host the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees in this revived rivalry game at TD Place. The “Panda Game” is named after Pedro the Panda, a Gee-Gees mascot which later became the trophy for the yearly clash. The two teams played each other annually from 1955 to 1998, but the tradition was halted with the cancellation of the Carleton football program. Though the clash was revived in 2013, the opening of the state-of-the-art football stadium at Landsdowne Park gives the showndown a fitting home. The Gee-Gees, currently hold a 33-12 advantage in the series. The game takes place at 1pm on Saturday, tickets are available through Capital Tickets.
Canada Army Run
The Canada Army Run, which features both 5 km and half-marathon races, takes place on Sunday in downtown Ottawa. Proceeds from the event support Soldier On and the Military Families Fund. Though the event has sold out, please come out to cheer on the racers as they complete these impressive tests of endurance. There are also associated events and exhibits, like the Sports Expo at City Hall, so there is plenty of reason to join in the events.
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