Things To Do with the Kids in Ottawa

The Canadian Tulip Festival 2014 Highlights

Fireworks creations over Dows Lake
May 9th, 14th & 17th 9:30PM-Dows Lake

The public is invited to join in a special Red Friday tribute fireworks performance this May 9th as the Canadian Tulip Festival opens with a salute to Canada’s veteran’s on the occasion of the National Day of Honour for those who served in the Afghanistan Mission. This unique fireworks extravaganza will be featured over Dow’s Lake at 9:30pm.  The best viewing areas will be on the north, east and south sides of Dow’s Lake.  Early arrivers will receive sparklers compliments of Hands Fireworks, the show producer, and The Jewel 98.5 FM.   The performance on Wednesday, May 14th will commemorate the 20 anniversary of the twinning of the Canadian Tulip Festival and the Istanbul Tulip Festival under an international friendship program introduced by The Canadian Tulip Festival and which has grown to include 7 cities in 8 countries.The grand finalé performance on May 17th finishes with a tribute to the international friendship community of Tulip Festivals and heralds the new International Floral Friendship Fireworks program planned for each night of the Festival beginning in 2015.




Capital Sounds
Everyday 11 30 am - 730 pm- Commissioners Park

Opening day May 9th features The Hornettes, The Parallels and Zoo Legacy. Like all Capital Sounds shows, you can enjoy the performances free! Local favourites and popular touring artists will appear throughout the Festival, performing everything from stompin country to electro-pop, rock alternative, sultry jazz, soulful rap, Celtic sounds and more. Enjoy the show with a beer or glass of wine from the Dutch Lounge, and try not to miss happy hour from 430 to 530pm! Headliners include The Jivewires, Lindsay Broughton, We Are Monroe, and Open Sky. Local and emerging performers include The Watter Brothers, Amasic, The Maria Hawkins Band, and Sabrina Fallah. Finally, rock out to classic favourites from cover bands like The Captain Fantastic Band (a musical tribute to Elton John) and The Retro Rats (50s, 60s, and 70s favourites).


Tulip TraXion
Every day-Commissioners Park

Run, walk, jog, skate or cycle to and through the tulips in this fun and fragrant journey among the blossoms. It’s an opportunity to explore Ottawa at its most beauteous.

TulipCycle
Guided, Saturdays & Sundays, 1 p.m. sharp-Tulip route

A self-guided bicycle tour along 16km of the Tulip Route will give you a touch of the flavour of the festival and the beauty of the blooms. The route has been designed for self guided cyclists,all mapped-out for you!

Cirque de Liberation
May 9th through the 19th-Commissioners Park

Free entry at Commissioners Park featuring giant topiaries, painted tulip sculptures, daily arts and crafts, floral arrangement workshops, and old-world street performers delighting all ages – is also where visitors will find the Festival’s ever-popular international cultural displays of International artisans’ works, plus performances of dance and music from many countries on the International Friendship Stage. Don't miss the vintage military vehicles and actors in period costume depicting the liberation story and the Festival’s origins - all reminiscent of the kind of spontaneous exuberance that arose immediately following the liberation of Europe at the end of WWII. One day only, May 10th, 11am - 4pm

International Pavilion
Daily throughout the festival-Festival Plaza, in Commissioners Park

Flavours of the world – music fills the air at Festival Plaza, in Commissioners Park, with live performances by groups and artists representing a multitude of local communities, Among the national cultures represented in this small world are Senegal, Brazil, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Macedonia, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Romania, and Venezuéla. Also  check out merchandise representing Ecuador, El Salvador, Indonesia, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Peru, Costa Rica, and Canada.

Doo Doo The Clown
May 10th to 19th from 10AM to 3PM-Daily throughout the festival

Doo Doo The Clown brings his special brand of fun to the Tulip Festival this year! For more than 30 years, Doo Doo has thrilled children and adults alike while performing at various festivals, fairs, trade shows and any event in need of laughs. Kids will know DooDoo as the clown from the Daniel Cooke Show on Treehouse TV while Mom and Dad will remember him from the Adam Sandler comedy classic Billy Madison. Doo Doo keeps his shows fresh, fun and exciting for all!

Cheerleader Grandstand
May 10 from 1130AM to 115PM-Commissioners Park

Ottawa’s finest cheerleaders take over Commissioners Park for an afternoon of thrills and spills among the tulips! Ottawa Redblacks Cheer and Dance Team, the SkyHawks SkyGirls, The Ottawa GGs Cheerleaders, the Carleton University Ravens Rhythm Team and up and comers from Ottawa Cheer Elite’s Development Cheerleading Club will perform awesome routines as well as posing for pictures, signing autographs and tumbling around the tulips

Swordplay Spectacular
May 17th and 18th from 12PM to 5PM-Commissioners Park
Medieval swordplay takes centre stage at Commissioners Park with demonstrations and lessons in the broadsword arts. Thrill to the ancient adventure as simulated battles in medieval armour allow Ottawa Swordplay to showcase their stuff!

The Royal Weekend
May 17th and 18th All Day-Commissioners Park

Join us for a touch of royalty and fun for all! Delight as little ones choose costumes that magically transform them into a princess, prince or knight. A photo booth will record the fun as “Beauty Queens”, Miss Canada Globe finalists Robin Morris and Nino Tshilombo, preside over the festivities. Regal themed arts and crafts are sure to provide a royally good time.

Honorary Festival Artist - Meet Silvia Pecota
All day May 9th, 10th & 19th-Commissioners Park

Toronto-born Silvia Pecota is an award-winning photographer and artist. Since 1985 she has exhibited in Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, Afghanistan and in the former Soviet Union.