Zombie Epidemic Hits Ottawa
OttawaStart
One of Ottawa’s most anticipated events of the season is upon us. On October 22nd, 2011 dress up in your most ghoulish garb and come join the hordes of undead as they take to the streets for the 6th Annual Ottawa Zombiewalk.
An epidemic of undead will rise in MacDonald Gardens Park, home of four former cemeteries starting at 1:30pm. Zombies will gather to collect non-perishable goods for the Ottawa Food Bank (if they’re going to come after your brains they want them to be well nourished!). Zombies will be able to take Coffin Rides courtesy of RUNAMOK Party Rentals and get their pictures taken with Flynnphoto. At 3:00pm the undead will hit the streets in search of brains and will ultimately end their search by swarming Parliament Hill before returning to their graves (or local pub).
Read more on the OttawaStart website: Zombie Epidemic Hits Ottawa
Last Week to Experience Mosaika
NCC’s sound and light show welcomes post-secondary students to the Capital
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Manulife Financial, wishes to inform the public that, as of Thursday, September 1, 2011, Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, will be presented half an hour earlier, at 9 pm. The current season of the award-winning sound and light show on Parliament Hill draws to a close one week later, on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Special evening for students
The NCC would like to welcome university, college and CÉGEP students to Canada’s Capital Region. On September 6, students are invited to attend a special presentation of Mosaika to celebrate back to school week. Entertaining and enlightening, with rich educational content, the 30-minute bilingual show explores Canada’s physical landscapes, history, achievements, and values. Mosaika is a must-see attraction and a perfect free evening activity for the Capital’s new or returning post-secondary students.
NCC Launches 2nd Season of Mosaika With New Eye-Catching “Cubes”
Award-winning sound and light show begins tomorrow night on Parliament Hill at 10 pm
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Manulife Financial, today unveiled the first of four large eye-catching “cubes” to promote Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people. The second summer season of this award-winning show begins on Parliament Hill July 6th at 10 pm.
The new illuminated marketing tool can be seen on the outdoor plaza of the Capital Infocentre at 90 Wellington Street, with others to follow shortly on the Sparks Street Mall, in the ByWard Market, and at the Ottawa International Airport, all high pedestrian traffic locations.
Today’s unveiling was also the opportunity for the NCC to welcome Manulife Financial as the new exclusive sponsor for Mosaika.
“After a successful first season, the NCC is adding a new dimension to the multiple outreach platforms for Mosaika,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “We are very pleased with this collaboration with Manulife. We expect to reach more residents of and visitors to Canada’s Capital Region, and encourage them to see this award-winning show.”
Canada Day in the Capital: Bringing Canadians Together in Celebration
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ An original and breathtaking fireworks display brought to a resounding close Canada’s 144th birthday in the Capital. The largest Canada Day celebration in the country was larger than ever this year due in part to Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who attended the noon and evening events on Parliament Hill.
“The National Capital Commission thanks the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who gathered in the heart of capital,” says Marie Lemay, NCC Chief Executive Officer. “Today the world has seen Canadians coming together in celebration of the 144th birthday of our nation.”
Crowd estimate
The National Capital Commission (NCC), along with its partners and sponsors, is proud to confirm that a crowd estimated at 300 000 participated in the noon celebration in the downtown core.
The evening show on Parliament Hill attracted a crowd estimated at about 100 000 residents and visitors in the same area.
The NCC Invites the Public to Discover Parliament Hill this Summer
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region – Every visit to Canada’s Capital Region must include a stop on Parliament Hill. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is offering this year the award-winning sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people and the popular Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program. The program allows residents and visitors to the Capital to explore the grounds of Parliament Hill during the summer.
INFO-TENT
Until September 5 (daily) – 9 am to 5 pm
Located on Parliament Hill to the right of the Centre Block and behind the East Block.
The Info-Tent should be the first stop for visitors to Parliament Hill. NCC staff of this seasonal visitor service facility will inform visitors of the full menu of summer activities that are available. At this location, visitors can obtain same-day tickets for the free Centre Block, East Block (starting July 2) and outdoor guided tours (starting June 25).
DISCOVER THE HILL
During the hours of operation of the Info-Tent
NCC Discover the Hill interpreters will be on site to invite visitors to explore the buildings, monuments and landscapes that surround Canada’s Parliament. Visitors will have the opportunity to further their discovery of Parliament Hill by chatting with the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
The different facets of Parliament Hill can also be discovered through a free 45-minute outdoor guided walking tour entitled “In the Footsteps of Great Canadians” (starting June 25).
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
Countdown is on to the Biggest Birthday Celebration in the Country
Celebrate Canada Day at the Capital’s official sites
[Source: press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ With one month to go until Canada’s 144th birthday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce celebration details for two of the three official sites for Canada Day festivities in the Capital: Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. Celebration plans for the iconic heart of the party, Parliament Hill, with Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be shared soon.
The 2011 Canada Day activities will celebrate the Centennial of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks service in the world, the 120th anniversary of the Canadian invention of basketball and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its inventor, Dr. James Naismith, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Ballet of Canada, and will highlight three of Canada’s Cultural Capitals for 2011, the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the City of Lévis, Québec, and the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. The day will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display.
“Canada’s Capital is an inspiring reflection of the people, values and achievements of this country, and no day is that more evident than on Canada Day,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “On July 1, the Capital will undoubtedly be the ideal place to have a memorable, Canadian experience.”
NCC Wins Two Ottawa Tourism Awards
Canada’s Capital Region The National Capital Commission (NCC) has won two awards at the annual Ottawa Tourism Awards. Winners were announced tonight at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The prestigious awards recognize outstanding examples of quality and creativity in events, celebrations and innovations in the Capital region.
The awards are:
- Innovation of the Year 2010
for the sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people
- Partnership of the Year 2010*
for the Winterlude Opening at Canadian Museum of Civilization
*Note: the NCC and the Canadian Museum of Civilization are honoured to share the Partnership of the Year 2010 title with the Ottawa Chinatown Gateway Project
This brings to five the number of awards that Mosaika, the sound and light show on Parliament Hill has won since it’s launch in July 2010.
“The NCC is thrilled to see its productions, programs and events recognized by Canadian tourism industry leaders,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing of the NCC. “Projects, such as Mosaika and Winterlude, allow Canadians to better understand the importance of their Capital. They also enrich the cultural and social fabric of Canada through public activities and events that foster pride in Canadians.”
The following NCC productions, programs and events were also nominated for awards:
Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people – Event of the Year 2010
Canada Day – Event of the Year 2010
Capital Pathway Network on Google Maps – Partnership of the Year 2010
For more information about the NCC, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1 866 661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
A New Yorker and a photographer from Québec search for the soul of Canada Day in Ottawa
By Bruce Stutz with photography by Renaud Philippe, Canadian Geographic
MY FIRST CANADA DAY! Bonjour! Bonne fête du Canada! Please pardon my French, for I’m from New York City, where we pretend to all speak the same language. Forgive me, too, for passing up, at eight in the morning, a street vendor’s proffer of a paper plateful of poutine. The celebration is not yet underway. The cobblestone courtyards of the Byward Market are quiet. But the barricades are being set up along the motorcade route and the tide of red shirts and red caps has started coming in: families with folding chairs and coolers vetting vantage points, bright young bénévoles (I’m learning already) bearing fistfuls of little Canadian flags, and vendors at their stations, griddles already smoking.
“Canada Day, eh?” one says to me, as if to mock my New Yorker’s expectations of Canadian brogue. I smile, wave my little flag and explain that I had planned a bicycle ride along the Rideau Canal and am worried that fries and curds might not be the right fuel for the journey.
Full Story on the National Geographic Travel Club website: Canada Day in Ottawa-Gatineau
