SuperEx 2012 still seeks home
New site on Albion Road sits untouched while organizers seek partner to mount annual fair
David Reevely, The Ottawa Citizen
The Central Canada Exhibition is looking for a temporary location for 2012 and maybe beyond, since practically nothing has been done yet to prepare a “permanent” home for the fair on land it has been granted off Albion Road in south Ottawa, according to Councillor Bob Monette.
Monette, who sits on the exhibition’s board, said the property has to be cleared, prepared and serviced before it can host even a strippeddown agricultural fair, and none of that has been done yet.
The 10-day event had been held for a century at Lansdowne Park, until the city ejected it this year to make way for construction work on the Lansdowne redevelopment.
That’s been held up by the Friends of Lansdowne court case that was only settled last week, so as it turned out the fair’s traditional home might have been available – but the Ex’s board decided last winter to pull the plug on this year’s edition and restarting the whole works wasn’t feasible.
Film Premiere: “Memories of the Ex: 122 Years of Lansdowne”
We’d like to share this information which was sent to us:
The feature length documentary “Memories of the Ex: 122 Years of Lansdowne” produced by Robert and Sharon Newton looks at the evolution of the Central Canada Exhibition. The documentary details how and why the first Exhibition came about, what the the first fair was like and its history during the war years up to present day.
It will be showcased on August 18 at the Coliseum in Lansdowne Park.
For more information about the documentary and how to get tickets for the screening visit: www.memoriesoftheex.com
Promo poster for Film Premiere
Super Ex leaves Lansdowne, but never Ottawa
James Rubec, Ottawa South EMC
Photo Courtesy of Douglas Sprott on Flickr
Lansdowne Park has been the home to the National Capital Exhibition for the past 122 years. As time has passed, the land space has changed, from land set aside as a fairground, to marshaling grounds for troupes, to an entertainment facility for football, and hockey. A constant, however, in the memory of all of those who know Ottawa has a pre-fall fair where people go to meet friends and family, and where they have a chance to act like children again. The Super Ex is leaving Lansdowne Park, but it will never leave Ottawa.
In the fair’s history, it wasn’t only a space for people to meet, but for farmers and the rural community to gather. Cattle and pigs, sheep and produce were brought in from around the area to be weighed, judged and exhibited.
Next year, the venue for the Super Ex is still up in the air. While the land by Albion Rd. and Rideau Dr. is owned by the Super Ex, it could be a couple years before the permanent facilities that are planned to built there will be ready. But, the Presley’s assure the EMC that alternate venues are available for the end of summer celebration.
Read the full story: Super Ex leaves Lansdowne, but never Ottawa
Super Ex has its swan song at Lansdowne
By Joanne Chianello, The Ottawa Citizen
After 122 years Super Ex is leaving its longtime home at Lansdowne Park. Will it survive the move?
Photograph by: Ashley Fraser, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — To talk about Super Ex is to talk about the past. It was where Ottawa residents first witnessed electric lighting, it attracted the likes of Bob Hope and Cary Grant — when he was a stilt walker still known as Archie Leach. Bob Barker came in the late 1970s and hosted both a matinée and evening show of The Price is Right. It had everything for everyone: agricultural displays and contests, big-name grandstand shows, a daily car raffle, exotic foods, consumer shows — a great place to see the newest in household appliances — and, of course, thrilling rides.
For decades it was the only venue for major concerts. When the Civic Centre opened in 1967 with 10,000 seats, it was the largest venue between Montreal and Toronto for almost 30 years.
Back then, people didn’t routinely fly to foreign destinations on holiday, there was no such thing as a “home show,” and Lansdowne was chock-a-block with buildings, making the Ex of yesteryear a very different experience.
Read more: Super Ex has its swan song at Lansdowne
Time for Tulips: Festival season kicks off Friday with Canadian Tulip Festival
Tony Lofaro, The Ottawa Citizen
Much like May weather in Ottawa, the Canadian Tulip Festival is always evolving. And this year, the festival, which kicks off Friday, may evolve into having few tulips.
Fewer blooms will be just one of the changes to the festival this year. Organizers are restoring a single passport to all events, reducing the Celebridée speaker series, and bringing several Ottawa bands to the stage at Major’s Hill Park, including Amos the Transparent and The Murder Plans. The International Pavilion featuring the culture and cuisine of more than 20 embassies is back at Major’s Hill after a disastrous stint last year at Lansdowne Park. A children’s program has been added, and Waylon, a hot new Dutch artist, will perform in the Mirror Tent May 15.
The festival’s theme is “Liberation,” and things get rolling at noon Friday with a street party on Sparks Street to mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of The Netherlands at the end of the Second World War.
“We intend to have a huge celebration and throw a street party much as in the spirit of 1945,” says festival spokeswoman Christine Charette.
Read more: Time for Tulips
Irish Village owners seek to change route of St. Patrick’s Day Parade for 2011
Ottawa East EMC
By Desmond Devoy
EMC Events – The owners of Ottawa’s largest chain of Irish-owned pubs are hoping that next year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade will terminate in the historic ByWard Market instead of its normal end point, Lansdowne Park.
“Eventually, we’re hoping that the parade will end up on this end of town,” said Larry Bradley, a native of Omagh, County Tyrone, during an interview in The Irish Village, where four of his pubs are housed at 67 Clarence Street.
“The City didn’t want it (the parade) coming down Rideau Street,” said co-owner Pat Kelly, of Ballygar, County Galway.
“It used to come down this way,” said Kelly. “We’re hoping next year.”
“It used to be nice for the business people here,” said Bradley, before adding quickly that “we don’t care about making money. We care about making friends.”
(The 2010 Ottawa St. Patrick’s Parade will start at 11 a.m. from Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, proceed along Laurier, before turning left and heading south along Bank Street, ending at Lansdowne Park around 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13.)
The move would not only funnel people into the ByWard Market, and to their bars, but it would also direct people to the nearby St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities, home of the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre, 314 St. Patrick Street, an initiative the two men have been helping move to fruition for a number of years.
Full article: Irish Village owners
Get your green on for Irish fest
By Tracey Tong
Metro Ottawa
The Irish Society of the National Capital Region and the Ottawa Irish Festival are bringing together local community groups in a citywide celebration of Irish-Canadian culture.
The Ottawa Irish Festival — held March 10 to 17 — is a weeklong celebration of Irish roots, which remain strong in the capital.
The festivities will begin on Wednesday with a concert at the National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre at 7 p.m.
The 28th annual Ottawa St. Patrick’s Day parade, followed by the Grand Irish Party, will be held at 11 a.m. on March 13. The parade, with honorary parade marshal Charlie Muldoon, will begin at city hall on Laurier Avenue West and proceed to Lansdowne Park. Food donations and cash will be collected along the parade route.
To read the full article, see Get your green on for Irish Fest.
Mayor’s Ninth Annual Christmas Celebration
The Mayor’s Ninth Annual Christmas Celebration will take place on Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 1 to 5 pm. in the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank Street. This fun-filled celebration will include a visit with Santa, crafts in Santa’s workshop, story telling with Mrs. Claus, live music and entertainment, plus some tasty treats including BeaverTails, Papa Jack Popcorn and much more!
Program: Main Stage – Aberdeen Pavilion
1:15 to 1:25 pm His Worship Larry O’Brien offers words of welcome
1:30 to 2 pm Maria Hawkins
2:05 to 2:35 pm École secondaire publique De la Salle
2:40 to 3:10 pm Dominic D’Arcy
3:15 to 3:45 pm Mario the Magician
3:50 to 4:20 pm Atlantic Voices
In addition, enjoy skating to the magic of Christmas music on the Urbandale Centre ice (Ottawa Civic Centre) from 1 to 4 pm. From 1 to 2 pm, you will have an opportunity to meet and skate with members of the Ottawa 67’s Six0 Power Dancers.
To help those in need and to share in the spirit of the holiday season, admission to this event is a non-perishable food donation to the Ottawa Food Bank. A donation makes you eligible for a door prize. Only those 18 years or older are eligible for the draw.
OC Transpo will offer free bus rides on all routes to and from Lansdowne Park from noon to 6 pm on Sunday, December 13 to children 11 years and under when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Hydro Ottawa Holiday Light Exchange
Bring in two old strings of holiday lights and exchange them for one string of energy efficient multi-coloured LED lights. Limit of three LED strings per person, while supplies last.
Inquiries: Call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401)
