Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
| June 17, 2011 | to | June 19, 2011 |
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival (formerly known as the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival) is an annual, culturally diverse festival held at Mooney’s Bay Park in June. What began in 1993 with 25 dragon boat teams competing in a half-day event has grown into a three-day festival with 190 teams in competition. 5,000 paddlers compete to win on the water while immersing themselves in a wide variety of cultural performances and workshops. The festival is in its 17th year and is recognized as North America’s largest dragon boat festival. In addition to cheering on the paddlers, thousands of visitors enjoy free admission to the live entertainment, children’s area activities and various on site vendors and exhibitors.
Event Highlights:
- Non-stop racing
- Live entertainment
- Beer Garden
- Children’s Area activities & live entertainment
- Multi-cultural food vendors and exhibitors
- Friday night kick-off party
- Spectator bleachers on the beach
General information: 613.238.7711
General information email: info@dragonboat.net
Location: Mooney’s Bay Park
On the Web:
Website: www.dragonboat.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=501153579961
Map:
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Bluesfest group vying for Church
Phil Ambroziak | EMC
Mark Monahan, executive director of Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, recently confirmed his group’s interest in purchasing the former Westboro United Church building located at 450 Churchill Ave. N. The congregation at Kitchissippi United which was formed in 2008 when Westboro United amalgamated with Kingsway and Northwestern united churches to address the issue of small congregations – originally planned to rent space in the 97-year-old Westboro United building to various community groups, but ultimately decided the put the building up for sale earlier this year.
“The church went through the traditional process, received a number of bids, reviewed them and narrowed them down and eventually chose one,” explained Arnold Midgley, a lifelong member of the Westboro congregation. “The successful group has three principle players – developer David Spillenear of Springcrest Properties, architect Barry Hobin and the Ottawa Bluesfest people who plan to make the church building available to community users as a rentable space.”
“We have a conditional agreement to buy the church and turn it into a music hall,” Mr. Monahan said. “Essentially, we’re hoping to create a 500-seat community music hall that can also be used by other festivals and community groups throughout the year.”
Full story: Bluesfest group vying for Church
How should the Ottawa area be branded: After surveying Canadians, NCC to unveil a marketing slogan in June
Kate Jaimet , The Ottawa Citizen
The National Capital Commission is working to develop a catchy yet dignified slogan, to be unveiled in June, that’s meant to brand the capital region as a source of pride for all Canadians.
Based on public opinion research conducted for the NCC, it’s unlikely the capital will be branded as: “fun,” “dynamic,” “modern,” “cosmopolitan,” or “innovative.”
More likely, the region will be portrayed as “historic,” “interesting,” “beautiful,” and “welcoming,” while the NCC also strives to make it “inspiring,” “environmentally friendly,” and to make sure it “reflects the entire country.”
The slogan is to be part of a five-year $2.5-million branding and marketing project that the NCC began last year. The values identified in the research are meant to infuse the NCC’s corporate culture and operations, as well as the development of a new “Plan for Canada’s Capital.”
Full Story on the Ottawa Citizen website: How should the Ottawa area be branded?
Ottawa Folk Festival Joins Forces with the Museum of Civilization for Unplugged Earth Day Celebration, April 22
The Ottawa Folk Festival and the Canadian Museum of Civilization have teamed up to host a candlelit, acoustic Earth Day Celebration at the Museum of Civilization on April 22.
Celebrating Earth day in true eco-friendly fashion, the event will be au natural. Lighting will be provided by candle as well as energy efficient LED bulbs. Entertainment will be acoustic, and refreshments will be low-impact and locally grown. The evenings’ festivities will include intimate, “unplugged” performances from popular local artists Ana Miura with Fred Guignion, Julien Lelièvre, Jill Zmud, Michel Sauvé, and Louis-Philippe Robillard, and awesome eco-chic DIY crafts.
The Ottawa Folk Festival’s participation in the Earth Day event is a natural fit for the green-inspired Festival, the first of the Ottawa festivals to ditch wasteful plastic water bottles for lower-impact public water. The public water initiative in partnership with CUPE, CUPE 503, Ottawa Riverkeepers and Council of Canadians, had water supplied by on-site Hydration Stations which were tapped into Ottawa’s public water, an effort that had a substantially positive effect on the eco-footprint of the festival.
“The festival’s water-bottle ban was also considered a success. Stainless-steel bottles were widely available, and close to 1,000 gallons of water were dispensed at the so-called hydration stations. According to water-station attendants, more than 7,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfill sites.” – The Ottawa Citizen
The festival also was able to purchase reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery to serve the 600+ volunteers as well as the public throughout the festival weekend; made possible by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund.
This year’s festival will see the continuation of the bottle-free initiative and its resourceful, impact-reducing results.
With free admission to the Earth Day celebration, participants can enjoy the cozy atmosphere and music performances while taking part in eco-friendly arts and crafts with all supplies provided. Locally produced refreshments can be purchased from the cash bar.
The Earth Day Celebration will take place at the Ottawa Museum of Civilization in the Grand Hall and Riverview Lobby at Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7pm. Admission, musical performances, and eco-crafts are free.
NCC PUBLIC CONSULTATION: MOORE FARM ESTATE
The National Capital Commission (NCC) invites the public and the media to participate at a public consultation meeting regarding works at the Moore Farm Estate, a 36-hectare property located on Alexandre-Taché Boulevard in the Hull sector of Gatineau, Quebec, between the Ottawa River and Gatineau Park.
The meeting will focus on the rehabilitation work on the buildings, the construction of an access road and the construction of a parking lot. The NCC will also present the proposed route for the construction of a recreational pathway. These works, which are part of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund announced in December 2009, will be substantially completed by March 2011.
NCC staff will be present to provide information, answer questions and collect feedback from all participants:
Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 5 pm
Centre communautaire Tétreau
361 Lucerne Road, Gatineau, Quebec
The public may also give us their comments at the meeting or in writing by May 4, 2010 at the following coordinates: www.canadascapital.gc.ca or info@ncc-ccn.ca.
For more information about the Moore Farm Estate, the public may 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 website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Volunteers needed to administer survey
Ottawa Festivals is conducting a pioneer research project to study the social impacts of festivals in the National Capital Region.
Are you an outgoing and reliable person interested in participating in a research project about the social impact of festivals in the National Capital Region? Are you looking for work experience in a research environment?
Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization, is seeking the participation of a group of volunteers to help administer surveys during a number of festivals taking place in April 2010. Your task will consist of distributing and collecting surveys during the festival. If interested, please send a copy of your resume with your availability (daytime preferred) to research@ottawafestivals.ca.
Ottawa Festivals Launches Comprehensive Five Year Research Project
Ground breaking in-depth research project will provide valuable information and tools vital to strengthening and sustaining Ottawa’s standing as being Canada’s Festival Capital
OTTAWA – April 6, 2010 – Ottawa Festivals, an organization that represents more than 50 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in the National Capital Region, has embarked on an in-depth study of Ottawa’s festival industry. As it rolls out over the next five years, the research project will include three areas of concentration: social, economic and environmental impact studies.
“This kind of study is long overdue,” says Barbara Stacey, Ottawa Festivals’ Executive Director, “The majority of studies look solely at the economic impact of festivals, most of which don’t go too much farther than looking directly at tourist spending,” she explains, “These numbers are very important and we certainly are collecting this information, but to get a deeper understanding of the industry’s impact you also have to look at other factors such as: quality of life; the industry’s contribution to municipal branding; civic pride; volunteerism; and providing venues for local artists. Festivals are just as much about community building as they are about economic spin-off. We are very excited to see where this research takes us.”
A collaboration with Algonquin College, the project will provide real-world experience for students who will take part in various capacities. “Right from its inception, we knew we had to involve students in the project,” explains Dr. Tamer Mansy, Program Manager Research and Partnerships at Ottawa Festivals, “true to our industry, we looked at how we could leverage the project to extend benefit to others – with this partnership we are able to do that.”
The collaboration also includes an impressive list of industry leaders. An advisory committee has been established to shape the direction that the project will take. Representatives from the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, National Capital Commission, Council for the Arts in Ottawa, Algonquin College and Ottawa Festivals have already begun their work and the project is well under way.
The project will be carried out with the participation of Ottawa Festivals Members. “We have already begun an inclusive consultation process involving staff and volunteers that organize festivals, special events and fairs in the National Capital Region,” says Dr. Mansy, “we are gathering firsthand accounts and information to help us develop a clear snapshot of the industry – this will help us identify our strengths and areas that may require more focus going forward.”
“It has always been our intention to be as inclusive as possible. We are very pleased and honoured to have the involvement of the people on our advisory committee and the participation of our members,” says Stacey, “as key stakeholders and partners, their participation was essential.”
About Ottawa Festivals
Ottawa Festivals is a not-for-profit organization that represents 51 not-for-profit festivals, special events and fairs that take place in the National Capital Region. In partnership with the City of Ottawa, Employment Ontario and Trillium Foundation, the organization manages a number of programs to develop and sustain the industry to contribute to positive benefits that impact the community.
Festival sponsor OLG celebrates 10th anniversary of Rideau Carleton Raceway Slots
A decade of great gaming, strong community partnership and local economic benefits was celebrated today as Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Senior Vice President Gaming, Larry Flynn, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce representative Erin Kelly and Chantal Guindon of Rideau Carleton Raceway marked the tenth anniversary of OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway with a cake-cutting ceremony.
As the host community for OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway, the City of Ottawa has received more than $34.1 million in non-tax gaming revenue since the facility opened. OLG has also been a proud community sponsor of TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Ottawa SuperEX, and Igniting the Spirit.
To read the full article, see OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
February Arts Pub Night
Wednesday, February 24th, 5 p.m.
Avant Garde Bar
135 Besserer Street
Ottawa, ON
CARFAC invites you to join us for a multidisciplinary pint and a chance to chat with members of Ottawa’s arts community.
The January pub night was so popular we had three times as many people as expected! This time we’ll be at Avant Garde Bar one street over from Arts Court.
Join the facebook group and stay up to date: http://tiny.cc/y6Vkn.
Tim Hortons is the new title sponsor of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival
OTTAWA, February 2, 2010 – Ottawa area Tim Hortons Store Owners have signed on as the new title sponsor of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival (ODBF), the largest Dragon Boat Festival in North America. This year’s Festival takes place at Mooney’s Bay, June 18 – 20, 2010.
“We are incredibly excited to be the title sponsor of the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival,” said Jennifer and David McBride, Tim Hortons Store Owners in Ottawa. “For the past three years we have partnered with the festival as a sponsor of both the children’s and team areas. We enjoy being a part of this extraordinary community event and feel the festival is a great fit with Tim Hortons.”
“It is a real honour to have Tim Hortons as our new title sponsor,” says John Brooman, Executive Director, ODBF. “Tim Hortons and the ODBF will be great partners as we have the shared community vision of putting on a family friendly festival that is free of charge to the Ottawa community. We are very excited to rename the festival the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival.” The 17th annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival will take place on Mooney’s Bay on the weekend of June 18-20, 2010. 190 teams, 5,000 paddlers, and upwards of 70,000 attendees will enjoy a weekend of racing, entertainment and free family activities.
About Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is the largest Dragon Boat Festival in North America. It features both competitive and recreational racing, musical entertainment and a variety of vendors and family oriented activities. The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival began in 1993 with assistance from the Hong Kong Canada Business Association and had 25 participating teams over a half-day event. Since then it has grown to a three-day sell-out with 190 teams and 5,000 paddlers, 70,000 spectators, a host of entertainers, exhibitors/vendors and a comprehensive silent auction tent. For more information visit www.dragonboat.net.
About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is the fourth largest publicly-traded quick service restaurant chain in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, flavored cappuccinos, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, donuts and fresh baked goods. As of June 28th, 2009, Tim Hortons had 3,475 system-wide restaurants, including 2,939 in Canada and 536 in the United States. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.
Contacts:
John Brooman
Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Executive Director
613.238.7711 ext.225
jbrooman@dragonboat.net
Nadia MacDonald
Tim Hortons
Regional Marketing Manager of Eastern Ontario
613.435.3667
macdonald_nadia@timhortons.com
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