Tulip Festival continues in Ottawa

The 72^nd annual Canadian Tulip Festival continues this Sunday in Ottawa.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, a naval gun from the HMCS Carleton at Dows Lake was fired to mark the start of this year’s festival. At the same time, a pair of CF-18 jets and a Griffon helicopter flew overhead.

For those who want to make a trip to the festival, here is a schedule of activities:

• Shop the Tulip Market: Open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily and offers a selection of Handcrafted Tulip Merchandise from regional artisans. Proceeds from the sales will be going to the Canadian Tulip Legacy according to the festival website.
• Movies & More in the Park: Free Children’s Matinees at 2 p.m. daily. Free Family-Friendly Features at 7 p.m. nightly. Games offered – including a flight simulator and a family Mario Kart race, as well as live workshops and special events.
• Blacklight Boardwalk: Alight from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. nightly.
• “Operation Manna” Show: Free 10-minute show starting at 9 p.m. nightly. “Operation Manna” is one the most notable RCAF missions of the Second World War.

The Somersault Flower Fun Run is on Sunday. The race starts at Preston Street and turns around at Torrington Place.  Participants can choose between a kids 1K run at noon, a 5K run at 12:30 p.m. or a 5K walk/run stroll at 1:15 p.m.

Parking is available at Carleton University, P7 lot for $12 a day. According to the website, the festival is an eight-minute walk from this location.

Organizers suggest that those taking public transit should be let off on Carling Avenue to avoid traffic delays.

Residents can expect to see numerous drones in the air above Dows Lake around 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, which will be used to emit light for the closing ceremonies.

The festival runs until May 20.

With files from Andrea Bennett