Where did September go? By Saturday it will officially be October and all the delights of fall are just around the corner: Thanksgiving, Halloween, and of course the return of hockey! With unseasonably warm temperatures and nice cloud cover expected this weekend, there’s no better time to get out and enjoy what Ottawa has to offer before the cold weather strikes:
Oktoberfest Ottawa
The world famous bier tent is back! That’s right, it’s once again time for Oktoberfest Ottawa, which takes over Clarke Fields Park in Barrhaven this Friday and Saturday. Presented by the Businesses of Barrhaven, this celebration and fall harvest music festival is the place to be. Seven local craft breweries will be sharing their best brews, and stay tuned for performances by Brown Paper Bag, Lucky Ron, Sticks n’ Stones, all on Friday, and Schteev und die Lederhosers Band, Isabelle Nicole, Lemon Cash, and The Start on Saturday. There will be lots of fun and games (including a “guess that pumpkin weight” contest) and awesome beer from Mill Street, Creemore, Brickworks, Perth Brewery, and more. Don’t miss the great eats from Big D’s Dog House & Poutine Emporium, Schnitzel from The Rocky Mountain House, and Eastern Canadian food truck Le Gourmet Acadien! Regular admission is just $20, while a VIP weekend pass is $99 if ordered before the festival!
Mac My Cheese Fest
Sorry, too busy drooling…Mac My Cheese Fest is being held at City Hall’s Festival Plaza this weekend. The “Mackers” on show include Upper Deck Diner, Great Canadian, Bytown Bayou, Green Papaya, Flapjacks, Smokin’ R&R BBQ, Chee Burger Chee Burger, and many more. You wouldn’t think it could get any better than traditional mac & cheese, but they’ll be some inventive delights served up this weekend including lobster mac, thai mac, pulled pork mac, and smoked salmon mac. Admission is free, you just pay (cash) for what you want to eat. There will be lots of fun, including a “Best in Mac and Cheese” award and even a mac and cheese eating contest between the Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee Gees. Great food, live music, good beer – this is the place to be.
Whisky Ottawa Festival
If you’ve got a taste for the finer things in life, you’re going to love the Ottawa Whisky Festival, which takes over the Canadian War Museum on Saturday. Sample tasters from the most recognized distilleries like Maker’s Mark (Loretto, KY), Jim Beam (Deerfield, IL), and Knob Creek (Clermont, KY), plus a bunch of brands you’ve yet to discover from Canada, Scotland, Japan, and more. Take master class seminars and participate in tutored tastings. PLUS, learn how to create renaissance and new world cocktails like the perfect Manhattan. VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets (19+) are still available and the floor opens at 7 PM.
One Young World
The annual One Young World Summit is being hosted in Ottawa and wraps up on Saturday. Young leaders from 196 countries are joined by world leaders to formulate, debate, and discuss topics of global importance. The event takes place at the Shaw Centre, and you never know when you might see Emma Watson grabbing a Starbucks or Sir Bob Geldof eating at Zak’s diner. Give a warm welcome to the young delegates from all around the world!
Metcalfe Fair
Just because October’s almost here doesn’t mean fair season is over! The 160th Metcalfe Fair, presented by the Metcalfe Agricultural Society, takes place this weekend in Metcalfe, just south of Ottawa. Check out the website to see what’s going on, including a Baby Show, Horse Pull, Demolition Derby, Classic Car Show, and Fiddling and Step Dancing. Admission is $10 for visitors 13 and over ($4 for children 6-12, free for 5 and under), or you can get a weekend pass for $25 ($10 for children 6-12). Enjoy!
Plus, the Sens host their first home pre-season game against the Subban-less Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. It’s on!
