Join us in commemorating a century of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) at the Canadian Tulip Festival, spanning 11 days and nights from Friday, May 10th, to Monday, May 20th (Victoria Day), 2024.
The festival, rooted in the original Ottawa Civic Hospital where Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was born during World War II, has blossomed into a tourist favorite. Gifted by the royal family, tulips have become a symbol of gratitude for Canada’s role in sheltering the family and aiding in the liberation of the Netherlands. Over 300,000 tulips will grace Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake, out of the million that adorn the Capital.
Highlights include:
- Opening Ceremonies kick off at 10:30 am (EDT) on Saturday, May 11th, honoring Second World War Veteran, RCAF Second World War Lancaster Tail Gunner, Ronald “Shorty” Moyes.
- A parade featuring the Canadian Armed Forces Central Band will commence at 10:40 am along Queen Elizabeth Driveway, passing by “The Man with Two Hats” Monument at Dow’s Lake, culminating in a ceremony at the Movies & More Screen at 11:00 am.
- The festival offers a free self-guided Tulip Legacy Tour with QR codes, narrating Ottawa’s history across seven stops.
- Family-friendly activities include daily movie screenings in the park, mini planes for children during Mother’s Day Weekend, and the RCAF Flower Fun Run on Sunday, May 12th.
- Food Trucks will be open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, offering festival favorites, while the Tulip Market and Tulip Boutique showcase tulip-themed treasures and official merchandise.
- Nightly entertainment features the Blacklight Boardwalk at Dow’s Lake and the Sound & Light Story “Operation Manna” at 9 pm, recounting the RCAF’s heroic efforts during World War II.
The festival’s closing ceremonies, starting at 8:30 pm (EDT) on Sunday, May 19th, will include a spectacular 10-minute “Drone Show” over Dow’s Lake at 9:30 pm.
For transportation and parking:
- Festival Parking is available at Carleton University, P7 Lot, with a new Tulip Water Taxi Service and golf cart shuttle service provided for accessibility.
- The Queen Elizabeth Driveway will have closures during specific festival dates, and guests can also park at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.
- Expansion into the ByWard Market during Mother’s Day weekend offers additional attractions, including Tulip Palooza on Saturday, May 18th.
Explore the city with the convenient Hop On Hop Off Tulip Tour along York St. provides convenient transportation to and from the festival site at Commissioners Park.
Join us in celebrating history, culture, and the vibrant beauty of tulips at the Canadian Tulip Festival!
The post Celebrate a Century of the Royal Canadian Air Force at the Canadian Tulip Festival appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Source link
