makingthemostofmay

Making the most of May

Here, in Ottawa, we haven’t been getting the spring we deserve. Tanks, shorts and sandals have stayed put in our closets, patios have been a tangled heap of stacked chairs and I, for one, have not frolicked through any meadows. Like so many times in the past, we’ve decided to lift the capital’s collective spirits with a bucket list for the remaining days in May. With help from CTV Ottawa Morning Live who, once again, have given us the floor, we’re hoping to see you at some of these events!

#FoodTruckFridayfood trucks

Food trucks quietly rolled onto the scene last year and we nuts certainly didn’t make the most of it. Despite attending Ottawa’s first Food Truck Rally, which was lively and delicious, we felt like our efforts to try these tasty new additions to the captial’s food scene were not valiant enough. That’s why we’ve come up with the idea for #FoodTruckFriday – why not start your weekends off on a good foot by supporting a local business? Make a lunch date with friends to try a new food truck on your lunch hour each Friday. The beauty of a food truck is you can get your grub fast and still manage to chow down before the clock runs out. Some spots on our radar: Urban Cowboy Eats (Bank & Glen), Ottawa Streat Gourmet (O’Connor and Alber) and Dosa (Somerset & Lyon) …and by that we mean we are on a mission to try them all! Tag @inanutshellca on  your #FoodTruckFriday adventures – we will retweet and repost our favourites!
Find out which food trucks are open here: http://streetfoodapp.com/ottawa

tulip festivalTulip Festival
(May 9-19)
The Tulip Festival runs from May 9-19 this year and it’s always worth a walk down to Dow’s Lake on a sunny day to admire the thousands of tulips. The tulip festival, however, is wide spread across the downtown of Ottawa and it’s sometimes difficult to reach all the points of interest in such a wide spread festival. The nuts have discovered a pilot project to resolve this small problem. For Tulip Fest 2014 take a free shuttle service running from Dow’s Lake all the way downtown, through the Glebe and Preston. The service runs every day during the festival from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., with a guided tour of some of Ottawa’s prettiest neighbourhoods and makes for an easy and free way to fully enjoy the festival.

Ottawa Fury
(May 10, 24, 31)
You have three more chances in May to catch Ottawa’s professional soccer team in their inaugural North American Soccer League season. Not much of a “football” fan? We hear these games are a blast, regardless. Plus, you’re witnessing history! Head down to in a nutshell’s alma mater Carleton University to take in a match and get your cheer on. (link= http://www.ottawafuryfc.com)

Tac-O-The-Town! Ottawa’s Taco Festtacofest
(May 17)
Tacos have slowly been taking over Ottawa’s food scene. We’ve talked about El Camino on Elgin before, which has quickly become a hot spot thanks to their amazing cocktail list and to-die-for tacos. Now, it seems like many other establishments are hopping on the taco train. This event is bringing together the city’s best taco-makers at the Ottawa Convention Centre to fulfill all of your dreams…in the form of a taco. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available, there’s something for everyone. This is another 19+ event and tickets are only $10 here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tac-o-the-town-ottawas-taco-fest-tickets-11297788991

Nature Nocturne
(May 23)
We’ve talked about this event before on inanutshell, but this installment of Nature Nocturne is the last until after the summer hiatus, which makes it a must-do. There’s nothing cooler than spending a night in a museum, especially when you can also dance the night away. The theme for this month’s event is “Glow in the Dark” and will feature a light show like you’ve never seen before, put on by Nature. Held at the Museum of Nature, this event is for ages 19+ and promises you a very unique experience. Tickets are only $20 dollars and are available online here: http://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/nature-nocturne

Great Glebe Garage Sale
(May 24)
The Great Glebe Garage sale is one of our highlights for the month of May. This year is takes place on Saturday May 24 but, be prepared, its an early one. People usually start browsing around 7 a.m., sometimes earlier. It is one of the largest garage sales in North America and draws people from all over the region year after year. People have found treasures like record players, vintage bicycles, first edition books and even items as large as canoes.
A few tips to make the most of the day:
1) Arrive early: All of the good finds get scooped up within the first hour so set your alarm clock! This is one Saturday worth rising early for.
2) Travel by foot or bike: Throngs of people make it difficult to navigate the streets.
3) Bring cash: Residents of the Glebe will set up food stations, bake sales or lemonade stands that are cash only… as are the rest of the sales!
4) Check out the retail stores: The shops on Bank Street in the Glebe host their own sidewalk sale so make a point of crossing through Bank Street to find some deals on first hand items!
Bonus: 10% of sales are donated to Ottawa’s Food Bank. (link = http://ottawastart.com/glebe.php)

The Brewery Market
(May 24)
The start of warmer weather is synonymous with consuming beverages outdoors. It’s science. The Brewery Market is an event series inspired by farmer’s markets.  Sample the best beer Ontario has to offer at Parkdale Park in Hintonburg. The next one takes place on May 24, mark it in your calendars! (link= http://brewerymarket.com/)
Ottawa Race Weekend
(May 24-25)
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Marathon! Ottawa’s Race Weekend is always such a positive event to participate in and watch. The runners work so hard and the excitement they display when they reach the finish line is contagious! All of the runners, whether completing the full-marathon or a shorter distance will be taking over the roads of the city and they could use some encouragement along the way! Pick a designated area and go cheer them on! You can find more information for Spectators here: http://www.runottawa.ca/weekend/spectator-information

Irons for Iron Golf Tournament
(May 26)
This one is a cause near and dear to in a nutshell’s heart. As some of our contributors are founding members of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society, we are throwing our full-fledged support behind their inaugural event in Ottawa. Go stretch your golf muscles and take in 18-holes while raising money for a great cause. All golfers will be entered in to win a bevy of awesome prizes – plus you get to hang out with us all day (bonus!) To sign up: http://www.toomuchiron.ca/event/irons-for-iron-ottawa-2014/

Looking ahead to June?

Check back on in a nutshell for more events like: Westfest, Bash en Blanc, Ribfest, Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival, Calabogie Country Music Festival and more!

Have an event coming up you think we’d like to cover? Send us an email [email protected]

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