What's on the Outaouais May 10-16
Finally the nice days are back! Take a deep breath, and get ready to take advantage of the wide array of activities to do in the region: a run in the Gatineau Valley, celebrate your mother, smell the tulips, have fun disguising yourself as your favorite fictional character… whatever you choose, be sure to end the day out on a terrace!
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Ottawa Comiccon
The ultimate celebration of pop culture, Comiccon is three days of movies, video games and comics, a cosplay costume parade (and contest!), about 50 discussion groups and workshops where you can talk about your faves, and an opportunity to meet several stars! When Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) and my favourite hobbit, Sam (Sean Astin), are in town, my geek heart can hardly stand it.
EY Centre – 4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa
May 10-12
$69 on line, $90 at the door
Canadian Tulip Festival
As Canadian Tulip Festival Founder Malak Karsh observed, the Gift of Tulips brought “colour back into a very gray world”. We celebrate this gift, the spirit of spring renewal.
10-20 may
Free
Course Valgatinoise
The very first edition of the Course Valgatinoise race day will take place along the Véloroute des draveurs (the repurposed former railway line to Maniwaki). Whether you sign up for the 21K (half marathon), 15K, 10K, 5K or 2.5K event, as a team or on your own, you’ll have a wonderful race on one of the most beautiful trails in the Outaouais. And the hospitality is superb: a meal is included with registration, and the first 150 people to finish the race will receive a medal. And not just any medal: it’s made of wood hand-carved by a local craftsman!
Véloroute des draveurs, between Gracefield and Messines
May 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$30 to $75 depending on the race
The 21K course runs from Messines to Gracefield.
Up close and personal with the Neanderthals
Be among the first to visit this major touring exhibition from the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle – Musée de l’Homme (France). Drawing upon the most recent scientific discoveries, it sheds new light on this chapter of the human story, and brings together, for the first time, exceptional fossils rarely shown to the public outside Europe.
Canadian Museum of History – 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
Exhibition opening: Thursday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibition continues until January 26,2020.
Opening of patio season in Old Hull
Proof positive that summer is on its way: the reopening of outdoor patios! Hurry down to Old Hull and the Bistro CoqLicorne to enjoy an early-season BBQ, lively DJ music, and a new summer menu.
Old Hull
Thursday, May 16 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Brunch with Mom
Here are some ideas for celebrating your favourite mom. On the Ottawa side, you can have lunch at the Tulip Restaurant in the Queen Street Hilton. During the meal, you’ll be invited to share a photo that will be displayed on the screens surrounding the restaurant. Isn’t that a nice touch? If you’re looking for an exceptional brunch setting, consider the Canadian Museum of Nature or the National Gallery. At the Gallery, besides enjoying a fine meal you can participate in special art-making activities. Take a selfie with Maman, the huge spider sculpture created by artist Louise Bourgeois! In Gatineau, Arôme Seafood & Grill at the Casino du Lac-Leamy offers a hot and cold buffet brunch. (Did you know that OpenTable rated L’Arôme one of the Top 100 brunch restaurants in Canada in 2019 ?)
Lend a helping hand
The floodwaters are slowly receding, but help is still needed. Many municipalities are looking for volunteers to help with flood relief efforts. Don’t hesitate to contact the people in charge of your municipality to find out more about volunteer activities.
