71st annual Canadian Tulip Festival gets underway

By Zainab Mehdar

Posted May 12, 2023 10:44:33 AM.

Last Updated May 12, 2023 10:45:06 AM.

Attracting residents and tourists, the Canadian Tulip Festival is celebrating its 71st year.

This year also marks 100 years of the Naval Reserve and Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands in World War ll, which led to the historic Royal gift of tulips from the Dutch to Canadians as a symbol of international friendship.

Festivities start Friday, May 12 at the Ottawa Commissioners Park and continues through the Victoria Day long weekend.

This year, the Victoria Day fireworks are being replaced by a light and sound show that will run for 10 minutes each night, starting at 9:15 p.m. at the blacklight boardwalk.

“It makes you feel like you are in the middle of the battle of the Atlantic and you are on board the HMCS Ottawa,” Jo Riding, General Manager of The Canadian Tulip Festival tells CityNews Ottawa. “It’s incredible and I don’t think anyone has seen anything like this.”

The festival will also be hosting a market with many local vendors, movies in the park, historic tours and much more.

Click here for more information.

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