These events listings appear in the Summer edition of Ottawa Magazine. For more local events and July and August roadtrips, buy the magazine on newsstands or order your online edition.
Thousand Islands Playhouse. June 28 to July 27: Boeing Boeing takes the audience up and away, landing them in Paris with successful architect Bernard, who finds himself in a bit of a bind as he struggles to keep his three flight-attendant fiancées from finding out about one another.$32, seniors $30, students and children $16. 690 Charles St., Gananoque, 613-382-7020, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.
Thousand Islands Playhouse. July 5 to Aug. 3: Third Floor tells the story of a pair of new neighbours in a condo building who get to know each other by signing for each other’s packages and griping over negligent neighbours. But when their budding romance takes an unexpected turn, the play develops into a thriller. $32, seniors $30, students and children $16. 690 Charles St., Gananoque, 613-382-7020, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.
Celtfest. July 5 to 7. Celtfest is a free weekend of Celtic entertainment, with performances in the outdoor amphitheatre at Almonte’s Gemmill Park. The mission of the festival is to celebrate and promote the Celtic heritage of the Ottawa Valley through music and dance by giving up-and-coming performers an opportunity to display their talents. There are also vendors of specialty goods with a Celtic flair. Headlining the event this year is Canadian Celtic rock band The Town Pants. Gemmill Park, 144 Brae St., Almonte, www.almonteceltfest.com.
Wonders of the Sand/Merveilles de Sable de Gatineau. July 5 to 7. Internationally renowned professional sand sculptors create works of carnival-themed art to showcase to spectators. They use more than 200 tonnes of sand to create 20 gigantic sculptures. Families and individuals can sign up to compete in a regional competition that is judged by three professionals. Other highlights include free boat loans, supervised swimming, a volleyball tournament, and musical entertainment. $7 parking fee. Lac-Beauchamp Park, 741, boul. Maloney E., Gatineau, 819-893-4090,www.wondersofsand.com.
Gananoque Boat Line. July 6: Murder on the Lust Boat: Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise. Big Time Murder Productions and Gananoque Boat Line collaborate to serve dinner and set the scene for murder. The combination of mystery, hilarity, and an elaborate menu is sure to make a great evening for any pseudo-seafarer. $70, $130 per couple. www.ganboatline.com.
Kingston Busker Rendezvous. July 11 to 14. Buskers — street performers who entertain for voluntary donations — from all over the world gather in downtown Kingston for this annual event. Jugglers, dancers, singers, magicians, and even contortionists pass the hat and contend for top-spot spectacle, as judged by applause. Take your walking shoes and lots of loose change. Various locations, Kingston,
613-542-8677, www.kingstonbuskers.com.
Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off. July 11 to 14. Ontario’s only hot air balloon festival celebrates the lift-off of 25 colourful balloons. Along with the opportunity to go up in a balloon, plenty of activities are planned to keep everyone engaged. On the slate, a children’s carnival, a family fun zone, seniors’ bingo, food and drink vendors, and musical entertainment all day long. Past performers have included Kim Mitchell, Randy Bachman, and Chantal Kreviazuk. Check the website for information about this year’s musical lineup and ticket information. Lamoureux Park, 100 Water St. E., Cornwall, 800-937-4748, www.lift-off.ca.
Classic Theatre Festival. July 12 to Aug. 4: The Star-Spangled Girl is a classic comedy by Neil Simon about opposites attracting in 1966 San Francisco. The story follows the shenanigans of two magazine writers as they struggle to keep their publication afloat against all odds. $30, youth under 30 $21. 26 Craig St., Perth, 877-283-1283, www.classictheatre.ca.
Gananoque Boat Line. July 13: A Pirate Dinner Cruise. Set sail with the scurvy dogs of the high seas. The dinner includes chicken and ribs, vegetable brochettes, salad, and dessert. The Band X-Idol plays classic rock, and Ronnie Rodriguez, a Johnny Depp look-alike (who was cast as Depp’s photo double in the third Pirates of the Caribbean film), plays the role of Captain Jack Sparrow. Dinner and cruise $70, just the cruise $40, advance tickets $35. 280 Main St., Gananoque, 613-382-2144, www.ganboatline.com.
Art in the Barn. July 13 and 14. Now in its third year, this event draws art lovers from around the region to explore artwork from the Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association. More than 40 artists participate, showing off everything from paintings and pottery to batiks and whimsical garden creatures. Ten percent of sales will be donated to the Do It For Daron fund, in support of youth mental health through the Royal Ottawa. Lombardy Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, Highway 15 at Kelly’s Road, Lombardy, 613-283-7824, www.rideaulakesartists.com.
St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival. July 13 to Aug. 17. Audiences get the chance to enjoy works by Shakespeare at an outdoor amphitheatre on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Playing this summer is Shakespeare’s classic tale of family revenge, Hamlet, as well as Maid for a Musket, a brand new comedy by Lucia Frangione, which is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. Also featured are ever-changing (and music-infused) shows from the Sunday Series. $27, students $20, children 14 and under free. Kinsmen Amphitheatre, Water Street W., Prescott, 613-925-5788, www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.
Graham Beasley Triathlon-Duathlon. July 14. Swim, bike, run! The 23rd annual event offers athletic options for all levels. From the Try A Tri for beginners (200-m swim, 21-km cycle, 2-km run) to the Olympic Triathlon and Relay (1,500-m swim, 40-km cycle, 10-km run) and everything in between, participants can push their physical limits and have fun. The swim portion is especially popular because of the shallow, clear water of the Mississippi River, which allows competitors to stand during the race if they need to. Entry fees vary by event. Centennial Park, Joseph Street, Carleton Place, www.somersault.ca/eventgrahambeasley.htm.
Merrickville Car Show Cruise & Shop. July 14. Marvel at over 1,000 vintage and customized registered cars and trucks. Live entertainment and many related events and activities are also on the bill. $5 vehicle registration fee at the gate. Merrickville Blockhouse Park and Fairgrounds, 613-269-3863, www.merrickvillecarshow.com.
Dinner Theatre at the Silver Queen Mine. July 17. Spend an evening as a mica miner at Murphy’s Point Provincial Park. Character actors will gradually integrate you into the role as you walk along the Silver Queen Mine trail and move underground into the mine. There you’ll congregate with fellow miners in the bunkhouse for a hot meal and heritage entertainment from the band Cratur. $75. Murphy’s Point Provincial Park, 2243 Elm Grove Rd., Perth, 613-267-5340, www.heritagemicadays.ca.
Athens Annual Farmersville Exhibition. July 19 to 21. Most often referred to as the Steam Fair, the Farmersville Exhibition displays steam engines in operation, along with vintage machinery, cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Past activities have included a tractor pull, craft fair, and amusement park, with country music in the afternoon. Check the website for this year’s lineup. $10 weekend pass, children 12 and under free. Centre ’76 Fairgrounds, 300 Elgin St. N., Athens, www.athenslions.org/steamfair.
Avonmore Fair. July 19 to 21. Activities to keep visitors on the go include a calf show, horse show, tournaments, petting zoo, baby show, midway games, and live entertainment throughout the weekend. The exhibit hall offers a taste of farm life with agricultural products, flowers, home crafts, and baking. $10, children under 12 free. 16301 Fairview Dr., Avonmore, 613-346-2252, www.avonmorefair.ca.
Stewart Park Music Festival. July 19 to 21. Now in its 23rd season, this three-day event provides a venue for music lovers to groove to folk, jazz, country, and world music. This year’s performers include Andy White, The Mighty Popo, and the Souljazz Orchestra. Local merchants, artisans, and food vendors bring their top goods to the festival. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the workshops and mini classes, such as Waterfront Tai Chi, a Hawaiian Energy Dance Party, and Reiki in the Park. Free admission, $20 for the after-hours shows. Stewart Park and other locations, Perth, 613-264-1190, www.stewartparkfestival.com.
Upper Canada Village. July 21 and 22: Battle of Crysler’s Farm Military Re-enactment. It has been 200 years since the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, and The Friends of Crysler’s Farm Battlefield are commemorating it with military re-enactments on parts of the actual battlefield, featuring more than 600 re-enactors. In honour of the anniversary, nearby Upper Canada Village returns to 1812, offering food, music, and dancing from the time.$17, youth and seniors $14, children five and under free. Crysler’s Farm and Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, www.uppercanadavillage.com.
Chesterville Fair. July 26 to 28. The “small fair with big value” returns to celebrate 82 years of fun, food, and entertainment. In addition to a number of agricultural shows, there are sport competitions, a demolition derby, and homecraft competitions. Midway games and the Kidzone tent offer entertainment for all family members. Chesterville Fairgrounds, intersection of Queen Street and Industrial Drive, Chesterville, www.chestervillefair.com.
Cornwall Seaway Lions Club Ribfest. July 26 to 28. After a hugely successful inaugural year, the second Cornwall Ribfest is back. Scores of performers entertain along the beautiful waterfront of the St. Lawrence River. There are also plenty of vendors and a midway. Rib vendors from across North America show off their prowess, and a beer garden is part of the fun. Lamoureux Park, 100 Water St. E., Cornwall, 800-937-4748, www.cornwallseawaylionsclub.ca.
Fort Henry Tattoo. July 27. One of Fort Henry’s premier events, The Tattoo highlights the musical skills of many Canadian and international acts. This year’s event marks the 75th anniversary of Fort Henry’s opening as a museum and of the creation of the Fort Henry Guard. In celebration, the parade square will swell with the sounds of fife, brass, and pipe and drum bands and will crescendo into a huge grand finale with all the band’s more than 250 performers. $20, seniors and youth $17, children five and under free. Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston,
613-542-3054, www.forthenry.com.
Upper Canada Village. July 27 and 28: Riding in Style: Carriage Riding Weekend. Explore a variety of horse-drawn carriages, take a look at the barouche (a carriage said to have driven John A. Macdonald), and have your photo taken on select vehicles. Once you dismount, chat with the blacksmith and the cabinetmaker. $17, youth and seniors $14, children five and under free. Crysler’s Farm and Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, www.uppercanadavillage.com.
Fort Henry Tattoo. July 27. One of Fort Henry’s premier events, The Tattoo highlights the musical skills of many Canadian and international acts. This year’s event marks the 75th anniversary of Fort Henry’s opening as a museum and of the creation of the Fort Henry Guard. In celebration, the parade square will swell with the sounds of fife, brass, and pipe and drum bands and will crescendo into a huge grand finale with all the band’s more than 250 performers. $20, seniors and youth $17, children five and under free. Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston,
613-542-3054, www.forthenry.com.
Herbfest. July 28. Those interested in herbs, gardening, cooking, and healthy living will love this day-long event, which takes place rain or shine. Kick off the day with talks and demonstrations by authors and other experts on topics related to nutrition and well-being. Next grab a wholesome bite in the outdoor food court or a drink at the beer tent before cruising around nearly 100 booths set up by vendors from across the region. $5, families $15, advance tickets $4, families $12. The Herb Garden, 3840 Old Almonte Rd., Almonte, 613-256-0228, www.herbfest.ca.
On Going Summer Events:
Sunset Ceremonies. June 29 to Aug. 31. One of Fort Henry’s most celebrated events is the spectacular Sunset Ceremonies. On select Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the Fort Regiment performs split-second bayonet drills and field manoeuvres, recreating exciting battle tactics from over a century ago. The ceremonies are more than a visual display of movement and colour — sound is also very much part of the experience. Listen to period military music, and prepare yourself for thundering gun salutes, complete with a fireworks finale. $20, seniors and youth (six to 12) $17, children under five free. 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston, 613-542-7388, www.forthenry.com.