From the editor

My family’s idea of fun is best described as eclectic. I like road races, getting lost in art galleries and taking in theatre and dance performances. Husband guy likes nice restaurants and wandering around hobby shows. Our daughters love everything —animals, mazes, trampolines, water parks and outdoor spaces where they can fly kites and eat picnic lunches in the summer and the Rideau Canal, shopping malls, indoor climbing structures and museums with things they can touch and poke during colder months.

Fortunately, we live in the nation’s capital, where all of the aforementioned activities are a short drive away. In how many cities can your house be practically equidistant from a working farm, world-class art gallery and not one, but several enormous water parks? Also, Ottawa hosts more jaw-dropping music festivals than our ears (or our bank balances) can handle. The only restriction is time.

We’re all aware of the usual suspects (hello, Canadian Museum of Nature) and it’s easy to default to a place you know when you’re familiar with it and too tired to Google. But what about the other spaces and activities that get passed over in favour of the tried and true?

There’s no better time than summer for our entertainment issue — many of us are lucky to enjoy time off, and may be looking for options other than going to an indoor play area for the hundredth time.

We profiled some of the coolest local names, places and activities that you perhaps haven’t heard about: writer Nate Smith interviewed Mayfair Theatre co-owner Lee Demarbre, who marks 25 years as a filmmaker in 2025; while Sheryl Bennett-Wilson got the scoop on Ottawa-based production company, GAPC Entertainment, whose STEM show “Run the Marbles!” is currently airing on TVOKids.

Our dad columnists show that what constitutes a good time looks different for each of us: for Jon Willing and his family, it’s found on a ball diamond (glove in hand optional) and for Chris Hunt, it means earning laughs on stage during amateur comedy night.

If you’re planning a trip to the Six but are craving a slice of home, consider putting Little Canada on your list. The attraction has captured the highlights of our city in miniature in its Little Ottawa section.

Whatever makes you light up, get out there and drink it in, for while summer days are long, the season is short. #loveottawa #supportlocal

Best wishes,

 

Tracey