Once again the Canadian Tulip Festival is in full bloom. It is really nice to see the festival getting back to its roots 🙂 this year marks it’s 65th anniversary with four amazing venues in different parts of Ottawa-Gatineau. Check out the bike, culinary and historic tours. It has become world renown as the worlds largest tulip festival with literally millions of tulips and over 500,000 visitors. If you are new to the city, visiting or just never had the chance to go… make this your year for Tulipmania!
Lansdowne Park This is the hot spot as it features “A dedicated hub of floral exhibits and installations, international friendship activities and entertainment, tulip art celebrations, a photographic exhibit paying homage to Malak Karsh, interactive family programming, swing dancing, fireworks and the Tulip Café”. This location has an admission fee of $15 if you are over 12 years old. Tulipmania aka the “Electric Tulip Victoria Weekend fireworks” is on May 21st, doors open at 6:30 pm and the event concludes at dusk with the fireworks. Tickets on sale now for $20. Free for kids 12 and under (the free ticket is still required and available from their website or the Aberdeen Pavillion).
Commissioners Park on Dow’s Lake: Stroll through the beautiful tulip beds that include thousands of seemingly endless colours and variety. This park holds the stunning Queen Juliana Gift Bed. Free tours are now available and don’t forget the amazing artists and musicians peppered along the path.
ByWard Tulip Park(ing) – The market is home to a little urban experience with the Pop art of Bex. Enjoy the art installations and get creative with the artist-led interactive workshops, tulip merchants and more tulips.
Garden Promenade Tulips – Ottawa’s public gardens are overflowing with tulips in full bloom. This new promenade begins at the Governor General’s Residence along to the Central Experimental Farm and back to Parliament Hill via Gatineau. Tour guides are available or you can guide yourself.
For more details check out: www.tulipfestival.ca
This wiki page is also very informative: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Tulip_Festival