The BreakFest Blog
News about Ottawa Festivals and our Member festivals, special events and fairs.
Nepean girls’ tournament picks up where NHL All-Star Weekend left off
ALICJA SIEKIERSKA, The Ottawa Citizen
Local arenas around the city were packed on the weekend to check out the Nepean Girls’ Hockey Association’s 32nd annual tournament. This year, there were 86 competitive and 50 house league teams registered, making up 18 divisions representing all levels from novice to midget. More than 200 games were played in nine arenas over three days.
Most teams were from Ontario, although there were a handful of clubs from Quebec and the United States. The fact the event coincided with the start of Winterlude didn’t hurt attendance, either.
“The teams love competing and playing hockey in the tournament itself,” says president of the NGHA Phil Clarke. “But coming to Ottawa this time of year, during Winterlude, makes the experience that much more special.”
Read more: Nepean girls’ tournament picks up where NHL All-Star Weekend left off
Ottawa Tourism launches Bonus Booking Offers
Third night free offer coming soon!
[Source: Ottawa Tourism press release]
OTTAWA, November 22, 2011—Ottawa Tourism has just launched Bonus Booking Offers, a program that gives visitors customized offers based on total hotel value at participating hotels. For example, a stay valued at $200 might offer free breakfast while a stay valued at $300 might offer free parking. Bonus offers are managed by individual hotels on the www.OttawaTourism.ca website’s booking engine and are available for new reservations at participating hotels.
Another enticing offer is just a couple weeks away from being launched: as of November 30, visitors to Ottawa can indulge in a Third Night Free at participating hotels for bookings and travel between November 30, 2011 and March 31, 2012.
Both options make it extra-easy to plan an Ottawa getaway to enjoy holiday cheer, skate on the Rideau Canal, attend the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game festivities or indulge in Winterlude activities.
“We strive to keep our offers fresh and enticing,” says Noel Buckley, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “By working closely with our hotel and attraction partners the new Bonus Booking Offers allow hotels to provide value-added options to consumers who, as a result, may end up staying longer for less and enjoying more, especially when combined with the Third Night Free promotion.”
Ottawa Tourism provides industry leadership and destination marketing to service the travel media and attract visitors, tours and conventions to Ottawa and Canada’s Capital Region. Visit Ottawa Tourism at www.ottawatourism.ca
DÉCOUVRIR LE DOMAINE MACKENZIE-KING
Photo courtesy Lee Dunbar
DÉCOUVRIR LE DOMAINE MACKENZIE-KING, C’EST…
- visiter les chalets restaurés;
- regarder des films sur l’époque et la vie de Mackenzie King;
- faire une visite guidée des musées et de la propriété;
- se promener dans les jardins;
- photographier la collection de ruines;
- prendre un léger repas au Salon de thé Mackenzie-King;
- parcourir le sentier préféré de Mackenzie King : le sentier de la Chute du voile de la mariée;
- se joindre aux guides bénévoles costumés pour une visite des jardins de Moorside, en après-midi, tous les
- week-ends et les jours fériés, de la fête du Canada à la fête du Travail.
- prendre part aux activités organisées par la CCN.
DISCOVER MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
Photo courtesy Lee Dunbar
DISCOVER MACKENZIE KING ESTATE
- Visit the restored cottages.
- View films on Mackenzie King’s life and times.
- Take a guided tour through the museums and property.
- Stroll through the gardens.
- Photograph the collection of ruins.
- Enjoy a light meal at the Mackenzie King Tearoom.
- Discover King’s favourite trail: the Bridal Veil Falls.
- Join costumed volunteer guides for a visit to the gardens at Moorside on weekend and holiday afternoons,
- between Canada Day and Labour Day.
- Join in the activities organized by the NCC at the Estate.
Canadians vacationing in-country boosts tourism
Below is an excerpt from a story by the The Canadian Press that appeared on the CBC.ca website. There is lots to see and do here in Canada and we need to get out and explore more of our own country — and of course a great place to start is right here in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital Region.
Statistics Canada reports it was the seventh straight quarterly increase in tourism spending, which has risen 6.5 per cent since the second quarter of 2009.
Spending by international visitors in Canada declined 3.5 per cent in the first quarter, following five consecutive quarterly increases.
Full story on the CBC.ca website: Canadians vacationing in-country boosts tourism
Watson Heading to China to Encourage Ottawa Tourism
Josh Pringle, CFRA
Mayor Jim Watson is set to leave on a trade mission to Beijing.
Watson is leading a Tourism-focused Business Mission to promote Ottawa tourism, encourage economic growth and promote the Capital’s tourism assets.
The Trade Mission has three goals: to work with Ottawa Tourism to promote the Nation’s Capital, highlight the Ottawa Airport’s goal of strengthening its relationship with the China-Canada Market and direct foreign investment from China to Ottawa.
The Ottawa-Gatineau Hotel Association, Ottawa Tourism, the Ottawa Convention Centre and several hotels will be among the organizations and companies on the trade mission.
The delegation will visit the Beijing International Tourism Festival which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
Royal couple to arrive in Ottawa for Canada Day
Kris Sims, Sun News
Canada Day is the biggest party in the country.
The 2011 celebration is extra special because their Prince William and his new bride, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, will be celebrating along with thousands of their loyal subjects on Parliament Hill.
This year’s theme, “Canada: A proud past, a bright future,” includes a special tribute to citizenship and to the Canadian Armed Forces mission in Afghanistan.
Here is the expected time table for July 1:
11:46 ET - Guard of Honour marches.
12:01 – Prime Minister Stephen Harper & family arrives
12:07 – Arrival of Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife **will arrive in a Landau with RCMP on horseback.
Read more on Sun News website: Royal couple to arrive in Ottawa for Canada Day
William and Catherine’s Canadian tour itinerary set to be released
Daryl Bruce, Examiner
With just a little over two weeks to go until the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge set foot on Canadian soil, Canadians can expect to get more details of the tour this week.
A spokesperson from the Department of Canadian Heritage stated that the full itinerary of the couple’s eight day tour would be released this week.
The Duke and Duchess will arrive in Ottawa on Thursday, June 30, and take part in Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on July 1st. The celebrations on the Hill will see performances by Great Big Sea, Sam Roberts and Maria Aragon, the 11 year old internet star.
Following their visit to Ottawa, the couple will visit Montreal, Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Yellowknife and Calgary.
James Moore the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the department organizing the royal tour, did reveal a few more details of the visit to the Globe and Mail.
Read more on the Examiner website: William and Catherine’s Canadian tour itinerary set to be released
Canada Day show includes Winnipeg YouTube girl
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — Prince William and his new bride will be entertained by a coast-to-coast roster of Canadian talent on Canada Day.
Performers for the royal couple on Parliament Hill include the Newfoundland band Great Big Sea, Quebec’s Sam Roberts Band and Winnipeg’s Maria Aragon.
The 10-year-old Aragon gained fans around the world after a video of her performing a Lady Gaga song was posted on YouTube. She’s since played with Lady Gaga herself, as well as with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Other featured artists at the noontime show include Dan Mangan from B.C., Elisapie Issac from Nunavut and folk singer Jenn Grant from P.E.I.
Altogether, there are more than 105 acts performing for Canada’s 144 birthday, which is also being billed a celebration of the centennial of Parks Canada and the 120th anniversary of the Canadian invention of basketball.
Exposure provided by the royal guests drove the show’s producers to put on the biggest spectacle they could, said Marie Lemay, the chief executive officer of the National Capital Commission, which is overseeing the show.
Ottawa hotels sold out ahead of Canada Day visit by the Royal newly weds
Daryl Bruce, Examiner.com
If you were planning to visit Ottawa on Canada Day to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, you may be out of luck.
Ottawa Tourism is reporting that all of the city’s major downtown hotels are sold out for the holiday long weekend.
“Traditionally, Canada Day is a busy time, but it does fall on a Friday this year and so being on a long weekend is advantageous and with the Royal couple there’s a pretty big buzz in the city,” says Deneen Perrin, spokeswoman for the Château Laurier hotel.
The royal couple will land in Ottawa on June 30 and participate in Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on July 1.
“We’re sold out,” says David Smythe, General Manager of the Lord Elgin Hotel. “When people call our reservation department they’re asking about Canada Day, William and Kate, how close we are to Parliament Hill and where is the best place to stand to see the Royal couple. Our hotel is a seven-minute walk to Parliament Hill so it is really convenient.”
Read more on Examiner.com: Ottawa hotels sold out ahead of Canada Day visit by the Royal newly weds
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