Ottawa comes to life for a weekend of festivals
The summer festival season in Ottawa kicked off this weekend with thousands gathering for events across the city.
Many in attendance are looking to get back to a sense of normal, not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
At Ottawa’s Jazz Festival, people were taking a minute to dance and celebrate the return of the event to Confederation Park.
"It’s really nice to get back out there and see that Ottawa can be a vibrant city and just get into it," said Kabir Bhatia, who was enjoying the event on Saturday afternoon.
For Bhatia, life is starting to feel like it did pre-pandemic.
"I’m concerned about COVID, but I’m triple vaccinated," said Bhatia. "At the end of the day, I’m looking to live my life to the fullest so I’m excited to be here, but I’m obviously taking my precautions."
At Mooney’s Bay Beach, the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival was back for the first time in years.
"It’s nice to see all the energy and meet people who are finally back out paddling," said Joan Barrett, who was at the event on Saturday.
A jubilant atmosphere of paddlers who were ramping up for the first race in years.
"It’s nice to be able to have a dragon boat festival in person again," said William Sagle, who was watching his friend compete. "I think it’s important for the racers to be able to come out and race some of the best competitors in their field."
Meanwhile, the electronic music festival Escapade brought in people from all over the province and Quebec.
The three-day concert is being held at Lansdowne Park and TD Place in the Glebe.
On Bank Street, artists gathered for the Cranium Festival.
"It’s an opportunity to network and have conversations about producing and what’s going on in the music industry right now," said Naledi Sunstrum, who is an artist.
The group showing support for each other, but not without acknowledging the challenges the pandemic brought the industry.
"It’s almost like we are learning again how to communicate with each other after two years of lockdowns and two years of isolation," said Sunstrum.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.