Hello Ottawa

STATISTICS OTTAWA

NUMBER

• 300

• The number of runners who are taking part in the three-day 22nd annual National Peace Officers Memorial Run from Toronto to Ottawa in honour of police officers who died in the line of duty. Runners who chose to go the whole way will arrive tomorrow.

• — Arrthy Thayaparan at CBC

OTTAWAN OF THE DAY

• Jamie Fine

• The singer from Centrepointe is the surprise host of the Ottawa 200 Block Party tomorrow at City Hall.

• — City of Ottawa

QUOTE

“

• What even is artistic presentation in a post-pandemic world where this could happen again?

– Pique festival director Rachel Weldon on how the pandemic pause allowed the 21st edition to reset. Thanks to the advocacy of Night Mayor Mathieu Grondin, the 2026 edition held tomorrow will have free admission, due to a $150,000 grant from the City.

— Bhoomi Dahiya in The Fulcrum

SPORTS

⚾ FRONTIER Evansville Otters at Ottawa Titans

Saturday

⚽ CPL Atlético Ottawa at HFX Wanderers

🏈 CFL Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa RedBlacks

🏒 NHL Ottawa Senators at Montréal Canadiens (preseason)

🏒 NHL Montréal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators (preseason)

⚾ FRONTIER Evansville Otters at Ottawa Titans

Sunday

⚾ FRONTIER Evansville Otters at Ottawa Titans

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OTTAWAN

WHAT’S GOING ON AT CITY HALL

WHAT OTTAWA IS TALKING ABOUT

THE DAILY POLL

When will you turn the heating on?

🔘 October 1 at the earliest

🔘 I hold out until the temperature is below 5° in the day

🔘 I turned it on recently

🔘 I never turn it off

🔘 An arbitrage between food, gas, and heating. Whatever is cheapest

• 
  Previously in THE OTTAWAN polls:

• Do you subscribe to a newspaper (print or online)?

  • 28% Ottawa Citizen

  • 29% The Globe and Mail

  • 5% National Post

  • 18% New York Times

  • 20% What’s a newspaper?

Commentary

▪️ “The Ottawa Citizen (was The Journal) for over 50 years. And just recently cancelled paper delivery converting to epaper. But sometimes buy the Globe & Mail because there is nothing like holding a paper and sipping a cuppa! LOVE!”

▪️ “For the NYT games and news!”

▪️ “We have an online subscription but I really miss reading the paper version of the Globe & Mail, specially the weekend edition. I feel i knew more about a variety of topics than i do now. But the crossword puzzle online is so much easier …”

▪️ “Also, the Citizen and the NYT. Beyond the listed options, also the Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Atlantic.”

▪️ “I needed multiple selections! I get print copies of the Globe & Mail and Ottawa Citizen. I have online subscriptions to the Toronto Star and New York Times. Supporting traditional media is important to me.”

▪️ “Digital version.”

▪️ “I only get the paper for the puzzles.”

▪️ “We get an actual paper copy that automatically comes with the online edition. Still enjoy Sunday mornings, with a nice pot of tea and reading the paper. I also still enjoy hard copy books but have two Kobos and also use my iPad to read books.”

▪️ “Fondly recall the days when we got the Ottawa Journal and the Ottawa Citizen. Unfortunately, the Citizen is not what it used to be even 15 years ago!”

▪️ “Not giving my money to an American owned Postmedia publication.”

▪️ “I subscribe to the Citizen, however I am becoming increasingly dissatisfied with both the content and ‘value-for-money’. Many of the articles seem to come from outside sources and local coverage in many areas is shoddy at best.”

▪️ “I only get THE OTTAWAN, LOL.”

▪️ “No! I’m nearly 70, but it’s not the 70s.”

▪️ “We still have Globe & Mail delivered, as well as Sunday NYT. The Globe, especially, is one of the few remaining papers that still does quality investigative journalism.”

HISTORIC OTTAWA LOGO T-SHIRTS

Ottawa Journal T-Shirt The Ottawa Journal began in 1885, edited by the legendary John Wesley Dafoe, later of the Winnipeg Free Press. It was closed in 1980. Help support THE OTTAWAN by buying one of our historic logo T-shirts. Shop for T-shirts

THE ROLLING THREE DAY CALENDAR

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✳️ Means change from previous edition

FRIDAY

• The Fifty-Five Plus Lifestyle Show is back at Cohere Centre, Hall 3. Continues tomorrow.

• Franco-Ontarian Day 2026 begins with a flag-raising ceremony at Saint Paul University (Old Ottawa East). The University of Ottawa will host a celebration of Franco-Ontarian culture with author Michèle Vinet from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. (Downtown). Across town, the celebration and activities by Vanier Community Association run from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

• Little Jo Berry’s brings the Vegans Who Snack Food and Art festival back to Parkdale Market from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Expect nothing but the most delicious plant-based treats, both sweet and savoury, from more than 60 vendors. Small dogs on leash welcome. (Parkdale)

• The Ottawa Chinatown Mid-Autumn Night Market brings authentic food and performance to Somerset Street West between Bronson Ave and Bell St.

• As the Ottawa International Animation Festival continues, The Animation Conference’s Art + Biz Day presents speakers and content about the practical business side to animation professionals (for pass holders only). Elsewhere, the schedule includes Meet the Filmmakers: Short Film Competition 2, a drop-in workshop on moveable sculptures, screenings for animation-curious teens, a feature competition, the Animators’ Picnic at Strathcona Park (which includes pumpkin carving), and lots more. (Various locations)

• The 2026 Carp Fair continues with an antique tractor parade, dairy and goat shows, the Four Horse Hitch Series Finals, plus the usual agricultural demos, showcases, family activities, midway, beer gardens, and live entertainment.

• This weekend sees the return of the Ottawa Latin Jazz Conference at the National Arts Centre, featuring workshops, panels, networking, and of course performances.

• Seek clarification with a quick tarot reading at Art House Cafe.

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Ottawa International Animation Festival

• Mayfair Theatre: Late Fame, The History of Concrete, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

Gigs

• Drag Bingo. Beyond the Pale (ByWard Market)

• Hannibal Buress. Bronson Centre

• Spencer Krug, Elbow Kiss. Rainbow Bistro

• The Ed Lister Group, Patrick Smith. The Robo Lounge

SATURDAY

• ✳️ Our thanks go to readers Karen and Bruce, who reminded us that Ottawa Tool Library’s next Repair Café is happening at Zibi (28 Booth St) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Entry is by donation for Dream Community Foundation.

• ✳️ The self-described Aboriginal food truck, Buddy’s Numnumz, whose menu holds treasures like Elk on a Bun, Bison Burgers, Indian Tacos, and of course, Bannock, will hold its Grand Opening at Merivale Mall at noon. They’ve got gluten-free and vegan items, too. (Nepean)

• ✳️ Flora Hall Brewing celebrates its 9th anniversary with live music from Funk-A-Tron 5000, new beers, and DJ G-Bro.

• ✳️ Ottawa Rucking Club will mark Ruck the World Day with a leisurely 5 km ruck (walking with a weighted vest or backpack) in Hog’s Back Park.

• The Ottawa Humane Society’s annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run has a new venue: Hog’s Back Park.

• It’s Family Day at the Stadium at TD Place as Ottawa RedBlacks play the Calgary Stampeders (The Glebe).

• The Sens face the Montréal Canadiens at Canadian Tire Centre. (Kanata)

• Check out the art on the New Edinburgh Studio Tour, today and Sunday.

• The Cheerfully Made Fall Market brings Canadian sellers of handmade and vintage goods to Bell Sensplex. (Kanata)

• Dress the kids in costume to visit the Metcalfe Halloween Farmers Market. The market will offer trick or treating, free superhero and princess character meets, a special visit by the Rhino McQueen car, and shopping from the regular vendors of local produce and goods.

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Ottawa International Animation Festival screenings

• Mayfair Theatre: 9 to 5, The History of Concrete, Bad Lieutenant, Saturday Night Sinema

Gigs

• Tim Joyce & The Radapaw Ramblers. Motel Chelsea

• Kellylee Evans. The Robo Lounge

• Sabaton. History Ottawa

• Karaoke. Hintonburg Public House

Ottawa 200

• Ottawa residents and visitors will find Ottawa 200 events all over ByWard Market, Confederation Park, and other iconic locations throughout the city. Tonight, Nuit Blanche Ottawa’s 12 hour, all-night party begins at 7:00 pm. Meanwhile, the Pique music and art festival is free to experience at Arts Court.

• Ottawa 200 programming extends to the Thirteen Strings ‘Celebration!’ concert tonight at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, with soprano Myriam Leblanc and conductor Clemens Schuldt.

• 🆓 The Ottawa 200 Block Party in the Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall is all ages, and promises music, art, food, and surprises.

• 🆓 The Plaza Bridge takes a final journey into the Soundscape Immersive Music and Art Festival. Tonight’s lineup is epic: Hollered, Bytown Sea Shanty Collective, Layla Staats, Randy Kakegamick, Amanda Fox, Ryan Stec, Lucas Verreman, and SpiritWolf Singers. It’s free, but there is limited access, so get there early. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Festivals

• Peter Knippel Garden Centre becomes an Oktoberfest Fall Market destination today, with vendors, sales on perennials (25 per cent off), the Craft Biergarten, and great food. (Gloucester)

• DreamFest is a whole day of family fun to raise funds in support of Dreamers Walk Canada’s programs and services for those living with disabilities. (Barrhaven)

• The screenings and workshops continue at Ottawa International Animation Festival.

• You’ll literally pay in sweat at the 7th annual Carrot Fest at Ottawa Farm Fresh, as guests will help out with the harvest. However, you’ll also enjoy lunch, live music, and ice cream. (Gloucester)

• Saunders Farm’s Pumpkinfest launches its annual season devoted to all things pumpkin and harvest, with activities, puppet shows, mazes, hayrides, and lots to eat and drink. (Munster)

• At Proulx Farm, the 32nd annual Pumpkinfest is a family-friendly rural experience with face painting and other activities for kids, wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own. Saturdays and Sundays (and Thanksgiving Monday) until October 31. (Cumberland)

SUNDAY

• It’s live comedy, with a focus on the ‘strange rules’ of the art world. Think of it as a mash-up of stand-up and an art lecture. Why Can’t I Touch Museum Art? is one night only, at Beyond the Pale (ByWard Market).

• Ottawa 67s play Sarnia Sting at home. (The Glebe)

• It's Fall Makers Market time at Broadhead Brewery. (Orléans)

• Relive your childhood or hunt for the missing piece of your collection at Ottawa Dolls and Miniatures Show. (Nepean)

• Cosmetics by ZZ presents Charm & Create, ‘An evening of permanent jewellery, painting & decorating your own makeup bag, delicious dinner, drinks & good vibe.’ (ByWard Market)

• No laptops, no shortcuts: FONO Hi-Fi Lounge is holding its All-Day Vinyl Day Party No 10 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (Centretown)

• Carp Fair’s final day is a busy one, with 4-H Horse and Sheep Achievement Programs, the Beef Show, a Tractor Tow, live music, beer gardens, and more.

• The final day of the Ottawa International Animation Festival is jam-packed with screenings, competitions, awards, and the official Closing Night Party.

• Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers will take you through the evolution of rail travel at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.

• The Middleville & District Museum will observe British Home Children Recognition Day from noon to 4:00 pm. The exhibit, which documents how British children came to Lanark County during the Second World War, will feature photos, genealogy, and biographies of about 30 children raised in the area.

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Ottawa International Animation Festival screenings

• Mayfair Theatre: Muppets Treasure Island, Late Fame, 9 to 5, The History of Concrete 

Gigs

• Vancamp & Vicki Brittle. Motel Chelsea

• Bon Echo. Stray Dog Brewing

• Future Blues Showcase. Moose McGuire’s Hunt Club

• The Planet Smashers, Mustard Plug, K-Man and the 45s, General Chaos. Overflow Brewing

• Goth and Deathrock Party. Dominion Tavern

• The Roo’s Blues Jam. Atomic Rooster

MONDAY

• Ottawa Architecture Week presents a special screening of Amélie at ByTowne Cinema.

Cinema

• ByTowne Cinema: Reading Lolita in Tehran, The Stunt Driver, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

• Mayfair Theatre: Late Fame, The History of Concrete

Gigs

• Trivia. Broadway Bar and Grill Barrhaven

• Karaoke Mondays. Atomic Rooster

JUST ANNOUNCED

• The Mayfair Theatre’s next Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party, Volume 42: Halloween Month Edition is coming October 10. Expect cereal (obvs), comic book prizes, and three hours of cartoons and retro commercials. Attire: casual or  pyjamas.

• United European Ballet presents just two performances of Swan Lake at Shenkman Arts Centre on November 22. (Orléans)

View fall’s dazzling colours from Calabogie Peaks. Take the chairlift up Dickson Mountain, step off at the summit, and prepare to be awed by the golds, reds, and oranges of the season. Saturdays and Sundays until October and Thanksgiving Monday October 12. Friday October 2 is 55+ Appreciation Day with special pricing plus a complimentary bottle of water.

Donate to the Giving Shelter when you shop at Shoppers Drug Mart from today through Sunday (September 27), and the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health will match your donation, helping local women’s shelters and programs support even more women breaking free from abuse.

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BUT, ONE MORE THING ...

In the Ottawa Citizen, Randy Boswell takes us back in time to 200 years ago tomorrow and tells us ‘What happened the week Ottawa was born’.

RAPID RESPONSE QUALITY CONTROL

Comment of the Week: ‘I loved the comment regarding the convoy participants, “it’s a great piece that looks into the minds of the participants and doesn’t find much there”.’

THE END

THE OTTAWAN is written and edited every weekday by Martha and Darren. Is there something that Ottawa should know about? Email us at hello@theottawan.com. We read every single email.