Festival

This is where you will find everything you need to know about attending the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival: schedule, site logistics, getting to the festival, and much more.

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2010 Entertainment Line-up

Free live all-ages shows included:

Friday, June 18th:

5:00 pm → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens

5:30 pm → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

7:30 pm → Shanneyganock – East Coast Party (BBQ & Beer Garden Open)

Saturday, June 19th:

11:00 am → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens 

                  → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

12:00 pm → Rattling Tro Tro leading parade from CN “All Aboard” Team Staging Area to The Royal Oak Pubs Main Tent

12:30 pm → Opening Ceremonies

1:00 pm   → Ceremonial Lion Dance

1:30 pm   → MonkeyJunk

3:30pm    → Bedouin Soundclash

5:30 pm   → Mighty Popo (2^nd set after Awards Ceremony)

6:00 pm   → Awards Ceremony

Sunday, June 20th:

11:00 am → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

12:00 pm → JW Jones

                  → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens

1:30 pm   → 54∙40

3:30 pm   → Closing Ceremonies Begin

 

 

Check back in the spring for a complete list of the 2011 entertainment line-up.

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Festival Event Schedule

At the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, you will see much more than just dragon boat races - we strive to provide something for the whole family to enjoy.

Below are some photos of the various types of activities offered on site as part of the 2010 entertainment schedule:

 

Royal Oak Pubs Main Tent/Beer Garden Schedule

 

Friday, June 18th:

5:00 pm → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens

5:30 pm → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

6:30 pm → Team Captain’s Meeting and Wristband Distribution

7:30 pm → Shanneyganock – East Coast Party (BBQ & Beer Garden Open)

Saturday, June 19th:

11:00 am → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens

                  → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

12:00 pm → Rattling Tro Tro leading parade from CN “All Aboard” Team Staging Area to The Royal Oak Pubs Main Tent

12:30 pm → Opening Ceremonies

1:00 pm   → Ceremonial Lion Dance

1:00 pm   → Jubliee Fine Jewellers VIP Tent opens

1:30 pm   → MonkeyJunk

3:30pm    → Bedouin Soundclash

5:30 pm   → Mighty Popo (2^nd set after Awards Ceremony)

6:00 pm   → Awards Ceremony

 

Sunday, June 20th:

11:00 am → DJ Juchi “Oddessy” Jobim

12:00 pm → JW Jones

                  → Royal Oak Pubs Beer Garden Opens

12:00 pm → Jubilee Fine Jewellers VIP Tent opens

1:30 pm   → 54∙40

3:30 pm   → Closing Ceremonies Begin

 

 

Tim Hortons Children’s Area

Come out and join the fun at the Tim Hortons Children’s Area…fun for the whole family!!

Children's Area Hours:

Saturday, June 19th: 9:30am-4:30pm

Sunday, June 20th: 9:30am-3:30pm

Tim Hortons Children's Area Stage Schedule:

Saturday, June 19th:

10:00 am → Chris Pilsworth, Illusionist        

11:00 am → Little Ray’s Reptile Show

12:00 pm → Spartacat’s Arrival

1:00 pm   → Radical Science

2:00 pm   → Circus Montreal

3:00 pm   → Chris Pilsworth, Illusionist

4:00 pm   → Little Ray’s Reptiles 

Sunday, June 20th:

10:00 am → Circus Montreal

11:00 am → Little Ray’s Reptiles

12:30 pm → Radical Science

1:30 pm   → Chris Pilsworth, Illusionist

2:30 pm   → Little Ray’s Reptiles 

 

 

Roving Entertainment

 

Rattling Tro Tro Drum Ensemble will be on site Saturday June 19^th and will be leading our Conga Line to the main tent for the opening ceremonies!  Be sure not to miss their show on the beach directly after the ceremonies and feel free to join in!!

Galitcha will be performing a Tapestry of World Music & Bollywood Dance Demonstrations throughout the site. Be sure to join in and join in the fun! 

Colores Andinos is back by popular demand and will be performing blends of traditional and contemporary rhythm and songs, offering a genuine and wide panorama of the past and present of Latin American culture. 

The 501^st Legion Star Wars costume fan club was by far one of the most popular attractions in dragon boat history!  They are back and will be on site all weekend bringing a balance to the force at the Dragon Boat Festival! 

The Taoist Tai Chi Society will be performing a moving Tai Chi demonstration on the beach by the bleachers on Sunday June 20^th shortly after the Breast Cancer Flower Ceremony.  Be sure not to miss it! 

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Location/Parking Info

The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is held at Mooney's Bay Park on Riverside Drive. View map. Mooney's Bay Park is located 1.5 kilometers south of the Riverside Drive and Baseline Road intersection. The Park is 1/2 kilometer north of the Riverside Drive and Walkley Road intersection. Riverside Drive is accessible directly from the Queensway (Highway 417). Look for the Riverside South exit.

 

Off-Site Parking & OC Transpo Shuttle Busses

There is free off-site parking and OC Transpo Shuttle Busses.  The shuttle stops are at the Rideau Centre/Mackenzie King Bridge Upper Deck, with stops at Metcalfe& Albert, Bronson & Somerset and at Carleton University Lot #7 (Bronson & University).  Free off-site parking is available at Carleton University Lot #7, and the Canada Post Headquarters (Riverside Drive & Heron Rd).  On Festival weekend, please visit www.octranspo.com, or phone 613-741-4390 for full schedule details.  

Bicycle Parking

Free bicycle parking is available on site.  Help us help the environment and consider riding your bike to this year’s festival.  Help even more by making a donation to the Foundation pledge tent.

 

NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON SITE
Alcohol is only allowed in the designated beer garden and main tent area. No alcohol is permitted in the team tent area or anywhere else in Mooney's Bay Park.

NO SMOKING ALLOWED ON SITE
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is proud to be a non-smoking event. No smoking on festival grounds - we all share the same air!

NO BBQs ALLOWED ON SITE
No personal BBQs allowed anywhere on site.

FESTIVAL MAP:

Click here to view the 2010 Festival Site Map

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Accommodations

Experience a warm welcome and true hospitality the moment you arrive. Conveniently situated only 10 minutes from Mooney's Bay Park, the hotel is just 15 minutes from Ottawa International Airport and only steps away from Parliament Hill, the Byward Market and local attractions.

At the end of your races, relax in Sasha's Bar, connect with friends in the Link@Sheraton or settle into one of our spacious guest rooms for a comfortable evening.

Great rate for Dragon Boat Teams and supporters

To visit the Sheraton Ottawa dragon boat reservation centre, please click here.

                 

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Festival FAQs

When is the festival? June 17-19th, 2011 (races held on Saturday & Sunday)

Where is it held? Mooney’s Bay Park on Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario 

Is there a fee to attend the festival? No, there is no site admission fee and it is open to the public.

Is there entertainment on site? Yes, various entertainers are performing throughout the weekend in the Main Tent and other locations on site. Past performers have included Bedouin Soundclash, 54-40, Shanneyganock, Skydiggers, Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards, The Arrogant Worms, Lynn Miles, Lonesome Paul, Amanda Rheaume and Mighty Popo. We also present various cultural and heritage activities including Six String Nation, Taiko Drummers, Lion Dancers and local ethnic folklore groups who bring colour, sound and rich texture to our event. Please check back in the spring for a complete list of the 2011 entertainment line-up.

Is this a family event? Yes, we offer various family/children focused activities including the Tim Hortons Children’s Area and Roving Entertainment including a Children’s Area Stage. Past entertainers have included Chris Pilsworth, Little Ray’s Reptiles, Radical Science and Circus Montreal. Please check back in the spring for a complete list of the 2011 children's entertainment line-up

Where can I park? The festival offers free parking and uses OC Transpo buses. The shuttle stops are at the Rideau Centre/Mackenzie King Bridge Upper Deck, with stops at Metcalfe & Albert, Bronson & Somerset, and at Carleton University Lot #7 (Bronson & University). Free parking is available at Carleton University Lot #7 and Canada Post Headquarters (Riverside & Heron). On festival weekend visit www.octranspo.com or phone 613-741-4390 for full schedule details. PLEASE NOTE: There is no public parking available on site.

Can I park my bicycle on site? Free bicycle parking is available on site.  Help us help the environment and consider riding your bike to this year’s festival.  Help even more by making a donation to the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation in its onsite Pledge Tent.

Can I carpool with other participants or spectators who are visiting the festival? Yes, absolutely! We encourage carpooling and you can connect with other attendees by visiting www.ottawaridematch.com or www.ottawacarpool.ca.

Where is the best view of the races? Bleachers will be available on the beach area near the finish line to allow spectators an opportunity to view the entire race from start to finish.

When is the Opening Ceremonies? The Opening Ceremonies will be held at approximately 12:30pm in the Main Tent on Saturday, June 18th, 2011. Entertainment and dragon boating traditions will be a part of this ceremony.

Will there be food and refreshments available on site? Yes, numerous food vendors offer a variety of food and beverages throughout the weekend. A Beer Garden is also set up next to the Main Tent. Patrons must be 19 years of age or older to access this area. Proof of ID is required. Please visit our Vendors page for a complete list of participating concessionaires.

Is there an ATM available on site? Yes, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is available on site in the exhibitor area.

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Contact Us

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS:

9am-4pm, Monday-Thursday

Please note that our office will be closed on July 1st, July 19th and 20th, August 2nd, and the week of August 30th-Sept 6th.

For general inquiries about the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, please contact the Festival office at the following co-ordinates:

180 Kent Street
Unit 4 - Ground Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 0B6

Tel: (613) 238-7711
Fax: (613) 565-2662

Email us by completing the form below:

Team or Race Related Inquiries

Shelley Freake-Smyth - Team Services Manager

Jessica Main - Maternity Leave Replacement (Oct 15, 2010-Oct 1, 2011)

Click here to contact

Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext.226

Site Logistics or Entertainment Related Inquiries
Mark  Morrison - Logistics Manager
Click here to Contact
Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext. 227

Volunteer Related Inquiries
Click here to Contact
Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext. 222

Vendor, Exhibitor or Concession Related Inquiries
Click here to Contact
Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext. 228

Sponsorship or Media Related Inquiries
John Brooman - Executive Director
Click here to Contact
Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext. 225

Foundation Related Inquiries
Jennifer Mackiddie - Foundation Coordinator
Click here to Contact
Phone: (613) 238-7711 ext. 223