Ottawa Tulip Festival 2010 Guide

Officially known as the Canadian Tulip Festival, this year's event takes place in Ottawa from May 7-24, 2010. Millions of tulips will blossom again, creating an exotic mosaic of colour and beauty in Ottawa and Gatineau. This is the 58th edition of the annual festival.

2010 news

The Canadian Tulip Festival Liberation
The 2010 Special 65th anniversary Liberation edition of the Canadian Tulip Festival is a proud commemorative celebration of the role of Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands. The Festival also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy!
Party in the street, at the Cabaret, or in the International Beer Garden
It all begins May 7th with a re-creation of the street party that broke out spontaneously at the foot of Parliament Hill along Sparks Street that same day in 1945. Starting May 14, step back in time at Cabaret Libre in the exotic Euro Mirror Tent from Belgium featuring jazz and swing from the 1940s. Or catch contemporary live music most nights in the Beer Garden in the International Pavillion.
Activities and attractions for all ages and interests
Includes special programming at the Casino Lac Leamy and at Festival partner sites including the newly re-opened Museum of Nature and the Museums of Aviation, Agriculture, Civilization, War and Science & Technology. And from May 14 to 24 the International Pavillion features the cuisine, music and crafts from more than 30 countries plus children’s programming at Major's Hill Park overlooking the historic Rideau Canal beside Parliament Hill.
Along the traditional Tulip Route
More than 3 million tulips bloom from Commissioners Park at Dow’s Lake along Queen Elizabeth Drive to Parliament Hill and across the Ottawa River in Mackenzie King Estates in Gatineau Park, Quebec. This has been a part of our Canadian heritage and bond with the Netherlands originating in the gift of tulips to the people of Canada by the Dutch Royal Family following the liberation of Europe in the Second World War. A shuttle service operates from the main tulip beds in Commissioners Park to the tulip beds and festive activities in Major's Hill Park.
The 2010 «WaterCan » Ball
The Canadian Tulip Festival is proud to support the annual Embassy Dinner on Friday, May 7, 2010. All proceeds from the evening will be used to raise funds destined for clean water projects in Africa.

Did you know?

Ottawa's tulip tradition started after the Second World War. The Dutch government and royal family donated over 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada as a "thank you" for the generosity and help of Canadians during the war. Each year, the Dutch royal family still sends 20,000 bulbs to Canada.
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