About
Saturday, July 2, 2022
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
Join His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa for a community festival at Lansdowne Park - celebrating 30 years since Ottawa City Council resolved to restore the Aberdeen Pavilion!
The Aberdeen Heritage Festival will be a community festival taking place on Saturday, July 2nd, in celebration of the Aberdeen Pavilion, a historic Ottawa landmark, home to a variety of significant events throughout Ottawa’s history, and of Lansdowne Park, a world-class attraction that blends modern amenities, courtyards, heritage buildings and green space. Come join us at this historic celebration!
The Aberdeen Pavilion, built in 1898, served as the central exhibition hall for the Central Canada Exhibition and was named after Governor General Lord Byron Aberdeen. The building served in this capacity until 1987 when it closed to public use. On July 2, 1992, City of Ottawa Council passed a resolution, put forth by then Councillor Jim Watson and former City Councillor Peter Hume, to invest in the building’s restoration and reopen it to public use. In collaboration with the Central Canada Exhibition Association, a celebratory exhibition will take place on July 2nd, 2022, to mark the 30th anniversary of this resolution.
Thirty years after passing of this resolution, the Aberdeen Pavilion, and all of Lansdowne Park have been revitalized and have become a place to live, work and play in beautiful surroundings and state of the art facilities.
Central Canada Exhibition History
In 1888, a group of citizens, with support from Mayor McLeod Stewart and Alderman William H. Lewis, incorporated the Central Canada Exhibition Association and held the first Central Canada Exhibition at Lansdowne Park. The Exhibition became one of Ottawa’s best attended annual events and one of Canada’s largest agricultural fairs. Offering carnivals, exhibits and grandstand shows featuring stars of the day, it entertained approximately 24 million visitors over its 122 years of operation. The Central Canada Exhibition ran from 1888 to 2010 and was led by many dedicated board members and volunteers.
Opening Ceremony
The event will include opening ceremonies in the Aberdeen Pavilion from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM with an Indigenous Territorial Welcome, remarks by Mayor Jim Watson, other dignitaries, a video presentation on the history of the Aberdeen Pavilion and concluded by plaque unveilings.
Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario will be Mayor Watson’s special guest at the Opening Ceremony.
Entertainment
Aberdeen Pavilion
Entertainment Schedule – Main Stage Aberdeen Pavilion
9 am to 10:50 am - Opening Ceremony and Plaque Unveiling by Mayor Watson
10:50 am to 11:15 am - Recorded Canadian Playlist
11:15 am to 12:00 pm - Performance by Monkey Rock Music
12:15 pm to 1 pm - Performance by Kristine St-Pierre Trio
1:30 pm to 2:15 pm - Performance by Ottawa Highland Dance Association
2:30 pm to 3:15 pm - Performance by Pam and Doug Champagne
Lansdowne Park
The festival will offer walking animators (Aurora, Femme Fleur), buskers, local community fair booths, Ottawa Farmers Market, 613Flea and a petting zoo.
A variety of shows will be featured on the Aberdeen Plaza.
The Ottawa Senators will hold a fun fan experience area.
| Time | Walking Animators |
|---|---|
| 10:30 am to 11 am | Aurora |
| 11 am to 11:30 am | Femme Fleur |
| 11:30 am to noon | Aurora |
| Noon to 12:30 pm | Femme Fleur |
| 12:30 pm to 1 pm | Aurora |
| 1 pm to 1:30 pm | Femme Fleur |
| 1:30 pm to 2 pm | Aurora |
| 2 pm to 2:30 pm | Femme Fleur |
| Time | Shows |
|---|---|
| 10:30 am to 11:15 am | Paul Perreault |
| 11:15 am to noon | Chamberfest |
| Noon to 12:45 pm | Mini-Cirque |
| 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm | Rockabilly |
| 1:30 pm to 2 pm | CA & Sonny Show |
| 2 pm to 2:45 pm | Rockabilly |
| 2:45 pm to 3 pm | CA & Sonny Show |
| 3 pm to 3:30 pm | Rockabilly |
Outdoor Displays
WWII era military vehicles, classic automobile and vintage fire truck display.
TD Place Field
Visit the Ottawa RedBlacks, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Atlético and Ottawa BlackJacks Fun Zone including games, locker room visits with some players and mascots on the TD Place Field.
Food Concessions
Food Vendor Stations, Stands, Food Trucks and Carts
- Cinnaholic Lansdowne (Lansdowne) – Cinnamon buns
- Popsicle cart – Popsicles and other frozen treats
- Lemonade stand – Freshly squeezed lemonade
- Lou Fast Food – Food truck serving hotdogs, hamburgers, fries, etc.
- Papa Jack Popcorn – Popcorn
- Runamok Amusements – Cotton candy
- The Merry Dairy – Food truck serving soft serve ice cream
- Raon Kitchen – OFM vendor serving Korean street food
- The Hot Potato Co. – OFM vendor serving loaded baked potatoes
- The Momo Spot – OFM vendor serving dumplings
- The Right Bite – OFM vendor serving desserts (cookies, scones, etc.)
Non-Food Ottawa Festival Market Vendors
- Avonmore Berry Farm
- Blue Shoes Honey
- Castor River Farm
- Dunrobin Distilleries
- Farmgate Cider
- Ferme Thuya
- Garland Sugar Shack
- Haico’s Hot Sauce
- Hall’s Apples
- Heart City Farm
- Joseph Henri
- Just Farm
- Mi Cocina
- Poppa Bean
- Pure Heart Essentials
- Tinkle Berries
Aberdeen Heritage Festival Map and Site Information, Getting to Lansdowne Park
| Site map legend | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senators' Fun Zone | Skating / Basketball Court |
| 2a | Papa Jack Popcorn | East Court |
| 2b | Runamok Cotton Candy | East Court |
| 3 | The Big Lemonade | East Court |
| 4 | Petting Zoo Area | Great Lawn - North East |
| 5 | Antique fire truck 1 of 3 | South Court on Great Loop |
| 6 | Inflatables from Runamok (Kid Candy Store, Roller Coaster Obstacle Course, Childrens Inflated Axe Throwing, Zap-a Mole, Grand Carnival) | Great Lawn |
| 7 | Food Court | South Court |
| 8 | Street / Busker Entertainment | Aberdeen Plaza |
| 10 | Antique Cars Zone | Exhibition Way |
| 11 & 27 | Antique Firetrucks | South Court on Great Loop |
| 12 | 613Flea Market | Aberdeen Plaza West |
| 13 | Aberdeen Pavilion | 1000 Exhibition Way |
| 14 | Bicycle Compound | Great Lawn - NortEast |
| 15 | Bell Media Music Vehicle | South Court |
| 16 | Horticulture Bldng (Command / Coms Centre, Vol HQ, First Aid, Lost Person) | 1525 Princess Patricia |
| 17 | Farmer's Mini Market | Casino Lac Leamy Plaza East |
| 21 | Para Transpo, Taxi's and PTC's (Uber, Lyft) | PA Way |
| 22 | Parking SENSTA Zone - First Responders, Deliveries, staff drop-off/pick-up | Holmwood - Hort Rear Doors |
| 26 | OSEG Sporting Activation | TD Field |
| 29 | Double Decker Greyline Tours Drop-off / Picke-up (reminder always in operation) | Bus Loop - North side |
| 30 | Indigenous Experiences - Spirit Horse | Aberdeen Plaza |
| 31 | Popcsicle Vendor | East Court |
Please visit TDPlace for information on how to get to the event.
No public parking is available on-site at Lansdowne Park.
Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors
Central Canada Exhibition Association
In-Kind Sponsors and Partners
613Flea
Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
ByTown Fire Brigade
Capital Fair
City of Ottawa Archives
Monkey Rock Music
Navan Fair
Ottawa Farmers' Market
Media Sponsors
