Canadian Tulip Festival (2011 dates TBA)
| May 6, 2011 | to | May 22, 2011 |
[Le français suit.]
Over three million tulips bloom in May in the National Capital Region, creating a spectacular mosaic of colours along the Tulip Route that winds its way from Major’s Hill Park in downtown Ottawa, along the celebrated Rideau Canal, to Commissioner’s Park at Dow’s Lake. The stunning beauty of spring is truly at its best in Ottawa during the Tulip Festival.
The Canadian Tulip Festival, the largest in the world, will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Holland and the Canadian Naval Centennial Anniversary from May 7 to 24, 2010. As part of the celebrations, on May 7th, the Canadian Tulip Festival kicks off with a Liberation “Street Party” on historic Sparks Street.
Commissioner’s Park will be open from May 7 to May 24th. 300,000 tulips shape and illuminate Commissioner’s Park, one of the National Capital’s most prestigious parks. Throughout the 18 days performers will grace the park’s grounds, providing a musical and entertaining ambiance while you shop at the Tulip Boutique and stroll amongst the tulips.
Major’s Hill Park will again be the home of local embassies and local community groups showcasing their culture from May 14 – 24. Experience it all at the International Bazaar and Food Emporium! Don’t miss the featured Liberation Beer Garden, an exclusive venue new for 2010. Sit down and enjoy beers from around the world while taking in performances on the International Friendship Stage.
Nestled in the enchanting Magic Mirror Tent, Celebridée will again make its home in Major’s Hill Park for the 58th edition of the Festival. Stay tuned for must-see Celebridée events!
Event Highlights:
May 7: The 2010 WATERCAN BALL – The Canadian Tulip Festival is proud to support the annual Embassy Dinner on Friday, May 7 to raise funds destined for clean water projects in Africa. Help support a great cause! Liberation Street Party – The 65th Anniversary of the spontaneous street party just as it happened on May 7th 1945 on Sparks Street Mall. Listen to bands on different stages from 4:30 – 10pm. Free entertainment from Elgin Street to Bank Street!
May 8: VETERANS CEREMONY – The Canadian Tulip Festival and Veterans Affairs will be honouring our Veterans during an Official Ceremony at the National War Museum at Confederation Square at 11h00 am.
May 14-24: MAJOR’S HILL PARK – An International Bazaar and Food Emporium, including a Beer Garden, will be housed under a huge tent that will dominate the Park.
The iconic Cabaret Libre (Mirror Tent) will host Celebridée and special Cabaret shows reminiscent of the 1940s.
Please continue to check www.tulipfestival.ca for updates!
Festival Information:
General information: 613.567.5757
Tulip Hotline: 1.800.66TULIP
General information email: info@tulipfestival.ca
Location: Major’s Hill Park
Commissioners Park at Dow’s Lake [Preston St. & Queen Elizabeth Drive], Ottawa
On the Web:
Website: Canadian Tulip Festival
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1209015588&ref=ts
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/canadiantulipfestival
Le Festival canadien des tulipes
Du 7 au 24 mai 2010, le Festival canadien des tulipes, le plus grand au monde, célébrera le 65e anniversaire de la libération de la Hollande et le centenaire de la Marine canadienne. La célébration commence avec une fête spontanée le 7 mai, telle qu’elle a eu lieu sur l’historique rue Sparks le 7 mai 1945!
Le Parc des commissaires sera ouvert du 7 au 24 mai. 300 000 tulipes dessinent et illuminent le Parc des commissaires, l’un des parcs les plus prestigieux de la Capitale nationale. Tout au long des 18 jours, des artistes s’y produiront pour créer une ambiance de musique et de divertissement pendant que vous magasinez à la Boutique des tulipes et que vous vous promenez parmi les tulipes.
Du 14 au 24 mai, le Parc Major’s Hill accueillera de nouveau les ambassades et les groupes communautaires venus mettre en vedette leur culture. Venez vivre cette expérience à la foire internationale et à l’emporium alimentaire! Ne manquez pas la brasserie Libération en plein air, un nouveau lieu privilégié en 2010. Venez savourer des bières du monde entier tout en regardant les spectacles sur la Scène de l’amitié international.
Détendez-vous dans le magnifique Chapiteau miroir où, pour la 58e édition du Festival, Celebridée sera à nouveau installé au Parc Major’s Hill. Restez à l’écoute pour les événements de Celebridée à ne pas manquer!
7 mai : LE BAL « EAU VIVE » 2010
Le festival canadien des tulipes est fier d’appuyer le Souper annuel des ambassades le vendredi 7 mai. Les fonds prélevés lors de la soirée appuieront des projets d’eau potable en Afrique. Venez célébrer le 65ème anniversaire de la Fête spontanée telle qu’elle a eu lieu sur la promenade de la rue Sparks le 7 mai 1945! Écoutez la musique présentée sur trois scènes. À compter de 16h30 jusqu’à 22h00. Entrée libre sur la promenade Sparks entre les rues Elgin et Bank.
8 mai : CÉRÉMONIE EN L’HONNEUR DE VÉTÉRANS
Le festival canadien des tulipes et les Anciens Combattants vous invitent à rendre hommage aux anciens combattants au monument commémoratif de guerre du Canada à la Place de la Confédération (en face de l’hôtel Château Laurier) à 11h00.
Du 14 au 24 mai : PARC MAJOR’S HILL
Le bazar international et foire alimentaire, et une brasserie en plein air.
Cabaret Libre , le Chapiteau miroir emblématique, accueillera les invités de Celebridée et des spectacles cabarets rappelant les années 1940. Entrée libre!
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO TAKE IN THE BEAUTY OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN THE CAPITAL
The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to remind residents and visitors that this is the final week to enjoy the Christmas Lights Across Canada display, which illuminates the Capital Region.The lighting display on Parliament Hill and along Confederation Boulevard will be on from 4:30 pm to 2:00 am nightly until January 7, 2010 (inclusive).
This year, over 70 sites in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region provide the perfect backdrop to more than 375,000 dazzling lights.
The Christmas lights that illuminate many museums, historic sites, embassies and other landmarks along Confederation Boulevard – the discovery route that circles the heart of Canada’s Capital Region – were officially switched on during a lighting ceremony held on Parliament Hill on December 12, 2009. Thousands of spectators were on hand to take part in the annual celebration. This year’s ceremony was twinned with arrival of the Olympic Flame on Parliament Hill, as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
As an important national element of the program, provincial and territorial capitals held their own lighting festivities, creating a link with the nation’s capital and a spectacular display of colour and light all across the country.
For additional information about the Christmas Lights Across Canada program, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
CANADIAN YOUTH: “RAISE YOUR VOICES!”
The National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with Classroom Connections, has launched a cross-Canada classroom banner contest that calls on youth to share their views in an inspired way – with the chance to have their handiwork exhibited in the heart of the Capital.
Students in Grades 5 through 8 (Elementary 5 through Secondary 2 in Quebec) are being asked to create and submit a one-of-a-kind banner design to the “Raise Your Voices!” National Student Banner Contest. Designs should represent an issue or topic of importance to Canadian youth. The seven winning banners will be professionally produced by the NCC and flown in Major’s Hill Park from May to October 2010.”The NCC’s mandate is to create pride through Canada’s Capital Region by making the Capital a meeting place that reflects history, diverse cultures and the shared values of all Canadians, including those of our youth,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “Engaging the youth of today through this contest is a great way to strengthen their relationship with the Capital Region, and to help them to express their views.”
Students: Tell your teachers about this contest and start brainstorming your design ideas!
Teachers: Encourage your students to speak up! For all the details about how your class can participate in this exciting challenge, visit canadascapital.gc.ca/bannercontest.
For more information about the NCC’s youth programs, classroom resources or other NCC programs, the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Classroom Connections is a non-profit organization dedicated to initiating positive societal change by producing progressive educational resources for Canada’s youth. To learn more about its programs and services, visit www.classroomconnections.ca.
