Covering everything from an RCMP Musical Ride performance in Metcalfe and a ladies’ night in Carp to wrestling and a music festival in Ottawa, this week’s Heads Up post is packed with news you can use. (Sadly, it also has details on the demise of the Perth Lions Garlic Festival.)
Cover photo of an oTENTik in Thousand Islands National Park is courtesy of Parks Canada.
A winter music festival is coming to the Gladstone
You don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy a music festival! The Gladstone Presents! A Wintertime Music Festival (March 9 to 15) features a diverse roster of local talent in genres ranging from roots to rap. Artists include Angelique Francis, Lynne Hanson and Mimi O’Bonsawin, and events include a songwriters’ show, a world music night called Harmony of Cultures and a Latin rhythms matinée. You can buy tickets for individual shows or get a discount if you come to three or more performances. The festival is happening at the Gladstone Theatre in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood.
The RCMP Musical Ride will perform in Metcalfe in May
Those of you who like to plan WAY ahead may be interested to know that the RCMP Musical Ride will performing at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 31. Admission is by donation.
The Carp Fair is hosting a ladies’ night
Hold the date: The Carp Fair’s annual Ladies’ Night is taking place on Friday, April 29. Doors open at 6pm with dinner catered by Ullrich’s at 7pm, followed by live music by DoubleBack. The theme this year is Bridesmaids, Boots and Bling.
Perth garlic festival calls it a day
Sad news for food lovers: the Perth Lions Garlic Festival has ended after 25 years, so there won’t be one this summer. In a Facebook post, the club simply said “it is no longer feasible for the members of the Perth Lions Club to carry on with the Garlic Festival.”
Are you ready to ruuuummmmble?
Attention, wrestling fans: Tickets are available now for the Bytown Brawl, a pro wrestling night coming to the Arena at TD Place on Saturday, May 24. The organizers, Premier Canadian Wrestling, are billing it as “an old-fashioned, family-friendly wrestling event.”
Brunch spots abound in Lanark and Renfrew counties
If your perfect road trip includes crepes, pancakes, eggs Benedict or other treats, check out this list of brunch spots in Renfrew and Lanark counties, created by the folks at the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization. It includes restaurants in Almonte, Carleton Place, McDonald’s Corners, Renfrew, Pembroke and Sharbot Lake.
Book your 2025 summer campsites now
I’m a bit slow off the mark with this reminder, but it may not be too late to snag a campsite in your favourite park.
- Parks Canada reservations opened on February 3 for most Ontario parks and February 5 for most Quebec parks.
- On the Ontario Parks reservations website, you can make reservations up to five months in advance of your camping date. So all the dates in August and September are still up for grabs, and there may still be spots earlier in the summer.
- Reservations for SEPAQ parks in Quebec are open now.
- Camping reservations for Gatineau Park will open at 9am on Saturday, March 15.
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.
