Ottawa 2017 might be glorious, but it won't be free
The True North may be strong and free, but celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary could weaken your bank account and cost you plenty.
From sky-high dinners to VIP views of the fireworks, many of the 150-themed events ask Canadians to open their wallets — and we've obliged, with many of the tickets tied to the sesquicentennial already sold out.
Here's what's available, what's sold out — and yes, what actually is free.
Nationalistic noshing?
The original Dominion Day was celebrated with picnics and teas across the nascent nation. One-and-a-half centuries later, we're still toasting Confederation through cuisine. But good luck getting a ticket.
The Picnic on the Bridge (the Alexandra Bridge, that is) will take place on July 2. One of the more affordable food-related events at $40 for a four-person spot, it sold out in minutes. (There are a few being resold on Kijiji for $100 to $400.)
And it was near-impossible to grab a seat at Canada's Table, which will see 1,000 people served dinner on Wellington Street on Aug. 27 for $175.
If you'd like to have a cocktail in the sky — at $150 a pop — or a full-on dinner for $250 in the Sky Lounge coming to the capital in mid-July, you'll have to act fast as there are limited seats available. An extra week of lounging en plein air was added after all the dinner seatings sold out in half a day.
In September, the Canadian War Museum is hosting an Oyster Garden on the roof of the Moriyama building. Only 150 are being admitted, and some tickets are still available — $169.50.
Red, White and You
Snagging a spot on Canada Day at the Shaw Centre to enjoy Canadian entertainment, cruise food stations and sip thematic cocktails — not to mention getting a great view of the fireworks over Parliament Hill — will set you back a whopping $452 (although tickets purchased by June 25 came with a $300 Via Rail coupon). It's sold out.
Wearing your Roots
The Canadian clothing company developed a limited edition line of Ottawa 2017 clothing, in addition to its own Roots Canada Day apparel.
The retailer expected the Ottawa 2017 clothing to last through to the end of July, but there are only five hoodies left at the Rideau Centre, despite their hefty price tag of $168.
If you really had your heart set on Ottawa 2017 wear, you can always special order the Ottawa 2017 Award Jackets — for $528.
Escape into the city
Just announced this week, Escape Manor has created what it's calling the World's Largest Scavenger Hunt in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record. The scavenger hunt will take place on Sunday Sept. 10 in the core of the capital. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, and cost $100 for a team of four. An OC Transpo day pass is included in the ticket price, as bussing and walking will be the only allowable forms of transportation for the scavenger hunt.
Free stuff
When tickets became available earlier this month for the light-and-sound show in the still-under-construction Lyon LRT station, demand crashed the site. But not to worry. There are still plenty of tickets left for Kontinuum, produced by Moment Factory, which runs from mid-July through to September.
You should reserve a spot, but tickets are free and you can book up to 10 at once. Tickets will also be available on site.
Moment Factory is also developing a light show for Chaudière Falls for autumn that will also be free.
Four days at the end of July, the streets of downtown will be overtaken by a fire-breathing dragon and a water-spewing spider. The monsters are creations of La Machine of France. More details about when and where they will be roaming will be made available after Canada Day.
Some may have found Inspiration Village on York Street a little less than inspirational. Even Ottawa 2017 executive director Guy Laflamme told a recent conference crowd that he had hoped it would be more animated. Still, it's a good place to pick up coupons for ByWard Market joints and to grab a selfie with the giant OTTAWA sign.
For a more comprehensive list of events, go to Ottawa2017.ca.
