I have lots of news to report this week, including the dates of the RCMP Musical Ride’s 2024 Ottawa performances, the scoop on a ghost-hunting event in Cornwall, tips on how to save money on a lilac-themed bike ride and details on Ottawa’s new Ironman competition. Enjoy!
You can enter a writing contest with immediate feedback
If you decide to enter this intriguing contest, you’ll be off on a bit of a road trip, unless you happen to live in Long Sault. An arts group called A Bunch of People is running the Writing in 150 competition on Sunday, May 5. They’re looking for participants in four categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry/spoken word and songwriting. Contestants will have 2.5 hours (150 minutes) to write their piece. At 12:30pm, they’ll submit their pieces to a blind judging. While the judges are at work, the participants will share their pieces with each other and the public. Finally, winners will be declared, and there will be prizes. This fundraiser for House of Lazarus (which supports vulnerable people across Dundas County) is taking place at the Lost Villages Brewery in Long Sault.
Stittsville has a forest, a Thai food truck and a history museum
If you think Stittsville is just a quiet bedroom community, think again. As this fun story on the Stittsville Central website points out, the west-end neighbourhood has—among other attractions—a 2.7km forest hiking trail, a big used bookstore, an Equator coffee shop, a Thai food truck, the Goulbourn Museum and other small treats. Check them out, next time you’re in the area.
The RCMP Musical Ride will perform in Ottawa in June
Mark your calendars! The RCMP Musical Ride will be holding its annual Sunset Ceremonies performances at the Musical Ride Centre at the RCMP Rockcliffe Stables (1 Sandridge Road, Ottawa) from June 27 to 30, at 7pm each evening. The Sunset Ceremonies are free and no tickets are needed, but the event IS first come, first served.
You should register for spring bike rides now (you might even save money!)
Attention, cyclists: If you sign up for the Rotary Lilac Ride in Prince Edward County by Tuesday, April 30, you’ll save $5 on the registration fee, which will rise to $75 on May 1. The cycling event on Sunday, May 26, includes 25K, 50K and 100K routes through lilac-laden Prince Edward County.
And spaces are going quickly for the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (June 8 and 9). Cyclists can choose from routes ranging from 118km to 220km, starting in either Ottawa or Perth. Routes pass through Kingston and then return to the starting point. Registrations close on May 10 (or earlier, if the event reaches maximum capacity).
Ghost hunters are heading to Cornwall
Want to search for ghosts? The Haunted Walk will be offering evening paranormal investigations at the historic SDG Jail in Cornwall on May 24 and 25. The jail is a heritage site that was a working prison from 1833 until 2022.
Ottawa is getting an Ironman triathlon
Think you have what it takes to swim 3.8km in the Ottawa River, cycle 180km along the city’s parkways and then run a 42km marathon? Frankly, I’d be toast about 10 minutes after getting into the water. But if this itinerary strikes you as a wonderful way to spend part of a long weekend, then you might be interested in registering for the just-announced Ironman Canada-Ottawa event on Saturday, August 3. Here are some more details on the routes.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.