I can’t believe we have already come to the final weekend of May. This month has just flown by in a blur. There are a lot of exciting family friendly events taking place around Ottawa this weekend. Be aware – due to race weekend there will be a number of road closures, particularly downtown. Here is my list of what’s going on for the weekend of May 25-26.

Saturday:

• Great Glebe Garage Sale – Glebe Neighbourhood and along Bank St, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm (popular annual neighborhood-wide garage and porch sale)
• Orienteering Ottawa Field Day – Pinhey’s Point Historic Site, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (Club members from Orienteering Ottawa will be on site to introduce visitors to the sport of Orienteering. Several courses will be set up across the museum grounds from beginner lengths to competitive, hour-long races. Barbecue will be available for cash purchase, $6.75 per person)
• Tots be Growing Children’s Consignment Sale – Carleton Place Hockey Arena, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (9am-2pm ($2.00 Admission or 2 items for the food bank – regular sale with amazing deals on children’s clothing, toys, books, after 2pm free admission)
• Manor Park May Fair – Manor Park Public School, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (inflatables, a DJ, bbq, freezies, games, face painting, a science show and more)
• Handmade in the 613 Spring Market – Tom Brown Arena, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (dozens of artisans and makers selling their goods)
• Kanata Ribfest 2019 – 400 March Rd, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm (ribs, craft beer, midway and carnival rides, contests and more)
• Capital BBQ Festival – 93 Houlahan St, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (BBQ Demos, BBQ Food Vendors, BBQ Judging Class, 4 BBQ Competitions, Live Bands, Beer Garden, Food Trucks all in the heart of Barrhaven)
• Odawa Pow Wow 2019 – Maple Hill Urban Farm, 200 Moodie Dr, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm (free admission to this traditional pow wow, watch competition powwow dancing and singing, visit an Indigenous craft market and enjoy traditional foods)
• Opening Weekend for Pirate Adventures – 588 Hog’s Back Rd, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (The pirates are back on Mooney’s Bay for a summer of booty and plunder)
• Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend – 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm (3 pm start for the 2 km, then 4 pm start for the 5 km, and 6:30 start for the 10 km)

Sunday:

• Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend – check race map for road closures, 7:00 am – 12:00 pm (marathon starts at 7 am, kids marathon at 8 am and half marathon at 9 am)
• Europe Day in the National Capital – Lansdowne Park Horticulture Building, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (The celebration features live music, folk dance performances, games and activities for children, in addition to sampling of European traditional foods and beverages.)
• Heritage Power – Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Explore the steam engines, antique tractors, and vintage agricultural machinery and equipment on display. Museum activities will include sawmill and print shop demonstrations as well as sunflower planting.)
• Wild Child Coffee Project Grand Opening – 314 Richmond Rd, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (enjoy free play all day, plus face painting from 10 am – 11 am, Princesses from 11 am – 1 pm and more)
• Mermaid Party – Barrhaven Boston Pizza, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (free family fun day, live mermaids with their land legs walking around serving your tables, glitter tattoos, coloring contests and more, reservations recommended, it fills up)
• Kanata Rifest 2019 – 400 March Rd, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (ribs, craft beer, midway and carnival rides, contests and more)
• Capital BBQ Festival – 93 Houlahan St, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (BBQ Demos, BBQ Food Vendors, BBQ Judging Class, 4 BBQ Competitions, Live Bands, Beer Garden, Food Trucks all in the heart of Barrhaven)
• Annual Shearing and Farmer’s Market – Vaanderland the Barnyard Zoo, 11827 Oak Valley Rd, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Watch the wool animals lose their winter coats and enjoy a farmer’s market)
• Princess Storytime with Snow Queen and Winter Princess – Indigo Barrhaven, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (come enjoy a story time with two of your favourite princesses! Everyone welcome. No registration required.)
• Red blacks Fan Fest – TD Place, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (free event, Family Fun Zone filled with games and inflatables. At 12:45 p.m. the team hits the gridiron, as offence and defence square off in a live scrimmage where fans can get their first look at new players in action. Fans will get the chance to take part in a variety of football drills on the field and get autographs.)
• Paintpalooza, Bingorama and Open Mic – The Merry Dairy, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (The Merry Dairy welcomes all kids and kids-at-heart for painting, some bingo and a chance for aspiring musicians to perform)
• Music at the Museum – Space and Aviation Museum, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (musical performance “Canada Takes Flight”, included with museum admission)