Did you know that cute creatures are hiding along trails in Merrickville as part of a month-long scavenger hunt? Or that the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Eastern Ontario and Montreal? Or that a new decor and gift shop opened today in Kemptville? Read on for all this news and much more—including the scoop on a Las Vegas-style wedding chapel in Prince Edward County and accessible skydiving in Petawawa.
Events
- Registration is capped at 150 runners for the 6K and 10K runs happening at Ecotay in Perth on Sunday, October 18.
- I am obviously biased here, because my husband writes the questions for this event, but World Trivia Night really IS a lot of fun! Pull together a team of 10 to compete for prizes and raise money for the Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa. It’s happening at the Rogers Centre on Friday, October 30.
- Ottawa’s Christmas Cheer Breakfast is marking its 75th anniversary this year with a return to the Westin Hotel. It supports dozens of local charities that help people in need during the holidays. It’s taking place on Friday, November 27.
- Tickets are already sold out for the afternoon Celtic Christmas Kitchen Party at StoneCropAcres Winery + Vineyard in Morrisburg on Saturday, December 19. As a result, the organizers have added a second show that same evening. You might want to grab tickets soon if you’re interested.
- The Harlem Globetrotters are touring Canada in early 2027. Their stops will include Ottawa (January 31), Peterborough (February 1), Kingston (February 2), Montreal (April 9) and Laval (April 10), among many other places.
- A posh-looking event called Whisky Wonderland is coming to TD Place in Ottawa from February 18 to 20.
Discounts and deals
- As always, check the VIA Rail website on Tuesday to see what this week’s discount Tuesday deals are.
Other
- Thinking of running away to Prince Edward County to get married? Then you might want to check out The Neon Chapel, a Las Vegas-inspired wedding venue that opened on October 3.
- Throughout October, you can keep your eyes peeled for Grickles—mysterious little creatures hidden along trails in and around Merrickville. Count them up and submit your guesstimate of the total at the local library, and you could win a prize!
- A new home decor and gift shop has opened in Kemptville. Maison d’Envie is the brainchild of the couple who also own Kemptville’s Bubba & Bugs coffee shop.
- Thanks to reader Zoe P. for this tip! Author Louise Penny has opened Café Three Pines in Knowlton, Quebec, inspired by the bistro in her Three Pines novels. Something for book lovers to keep in mind, if your road trips take you to the Eastern Townships.
- Well, this is cool: Airborne Petawawa offers accessible tandem skydiving for people with limited mobility, including those who use wheelchairs. The skydiving company has invented a Freedom Harness, which supports the legs during freefall and allows the tandem instructor to lift the jumper’s legs into position for landing, if necessary. The photo above features a 25-year-old named Kevin, who uses a power wheelchair and recently completed a jump with the Petawawa company.
- This isn’t an option for casual road trippers, as you need to buy a monthly pass. However, if your daily commute takes you from Carleton Place to Ottawa, you might be interested in the new Econo Bus commuter service. It runs on weekdays between the Carleton Place Arena and St. Patrick’s Basilica on Kent Street in Ottawa. The catch? You need to start and end work early, as the bus leaves CP at 6am (!) and heads back from Ottawa at 3:15pm.
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.
