The August long weekend is upon us! What are your plans? If you are looking for some ideas, there is lots going on around Ottawa. Here is my list of family friendly events for August 3-5.

Saturday:

• Saturday 5 km and 1 km – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 8:30 am (run for all ages, free for kids, register online)
• Glengarry Highland Games – 34 Fair Street, Maxville, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm (music, dance, sports, fiddling, pageantry, food and more)
• Bridge Street Summer Fest – Bridge Street, Downtown Carleton Place, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (live music with the theme MOTOWN, kid’s area, food vendors, lego stations and more)
• Summer Family Mornings – National Arts Centre, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (free activities, games, musical guests and more, for children of all ages)
• Ottawa International Busker Fest – Sparks Street, 11:00 am – 10:30 pm (world class busker performers from across the globe)
• Capital Ribfest Ottawa – Ottawa City Hall, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (lots of ribs, competition, some vegetarian options, entertainment for all ages)
• Estate in Bloom – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (fun activities for the whole family, bring your picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Wear your favourite floral-themed clothing and celebrate the flowers and colourful gardens. Free)
• Storytime at Rideau Hall – Rideau Hall grounds, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Frontier College’s volunteers welcome children and their families and provide books and other materials and hold a variety of different activities. All activities organized at Storytime are free.
• Centretown Movies Presents Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Dundonald Park, 8:00 pm (outdoor movie, open to all, by donation)

Sunday:

• NOKIA Sunday Bikedays – Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway , Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, Colonel By Drive, Gatineau Park, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (car free roadways open to bikes)
• Ottawa International Busker Fest – Sparks Street, 11:00 am – 10:30 pm (world class busker performers from across the globe)
• Capital Ribfest Ottawa – Ottawa City Hall, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (lots of ribs, competition, some vegetarian options, entertainment for all ages)
• Street Food Social – 1500 Alta Vista Drive, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (lots of local food trucks and vendors plus a flea market)
• Ottawa Show and Shine – 801 Aviation Pkwy, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (cars, trucks and bikes on display, live entertainment, kids welcome)
• Estate in Bloom – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (fun activities for the whole family, bring your picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Wear your favourite floral-themed clothing and celebrate the flowers and colourful gardens. Free)
• Zumba on the Hill – Parliament Hill, 4:00 pm (free zumba class for all ages)

Monday:

• Mid Summer Fun Day – The Log Farm, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (giant bounce castle, wagon rides, farm animals to pet and feed, play tables for kids and more. Pack a picnic and plan to spend the day , $6 per person)
• Fun at Valleyview Little Animal Farm – 4750 Fallowfield Rd, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (open for the holiday monday, visit the animals, ride the tractor train, enjoy a children’s entertainer)
• Nature Appreciation Hike – Keogan Shelter Parking lot, Gatineau Park,, 10:00 am (children, parents, grandparents all welcome to come and join in this free, bilingual guided nature hike where there will be games and snacks, RSVP on eventbrite)
• Ottawa International Busker Fest – Sparks Street, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (world class busker performers from across the globe)
• Capital Ribfest Ottawa – Ottawa City Hall, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (lots of ribs, competition, some vegetarian options, entertainment for all ages)
• Estate in Bloom – Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (fun activities for the whole family, bring your picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Wear your favourite floral-themed clothing and celebrate the flowers and colourful gardens. Free)
• Horse and Pony Rides – Royale Equestrian Centre, 2191 Woodroffe Ave, 10:00 am – 11:30 am and 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm (pony rides are $10, cash only, plus visit the stables and meet the horses)