Oh boy.

I can already feel the digital mob ready to pounce. But first a recap:

First: A gauntlet was thrown down reminding the world that Ottawa is a tech hub.

Second: A compilation of the comments, nice and not-so-nice.

Finally: You can find lots of exciting work, while not having to spend thousands (or possibly millions) for a place to live.

So Sorry San Franci$$$co

“The City That Fun Forgot”

I’ve lived in Ottawa pretty much my entire life. So I’ve heard every moniker, nickname and epithet: Coma City, Government Town, Dead After Dark, Bland, Not-Connected, Blah, Blah, Blah. Just another day, just another unoriginal comment on the capital. The “Ottawa=Boring” is such a worn out trope, someone made a documentary on the subject.

Paul Rudd because reasons.

Look. I won’t make excuses for NOT having the things/attractions/architecture/brunch spots that others deem proper. Ottawa is not Amsterdam, the same way Toronto is not Barcelona and Vancouver is not Buenos Aires.

Instead I’m going to focus on what Ottawa DOES have and why I am constantly gobsmacked when people decree, “There’s, like, nothing to do in Ottawa”.

THIS IS OTTAWA?

This is one of my favourite things in the 613, House of Paint:

yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

HOP happens every year under a giant bridge, along the Rideau River. It’s a gathering of street artists, spoken-word artists, hip-hop artists and crazy-good talents from North America, South America and Europe. And btw, that was Ottawa’s own Soul Jazz Orchestra supplying the live soundtrack.

Read the caption in the photo. That phrase, “This is Ottawa!?” plays like a broken record around these parts.

Yes. This IS Ottawa.

And there’s more. A LOT MORE.

A NEVER ENDING LIST

House of Paint isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I get that. Well guess what, Ottawa has more than 180 festivals (avg of three per week). Here’s a hot take:

Bluesfest: One of the largest music festivals in North America.

Arboretum: Incredible Food, Art Installations & Music.

International Animation Festival: Fun Fact -Biggest in North America.

Glow Fair: An enormous block party in the heart of downtown.

Glowfair Festival. Photograph by Finnsquare

Winterlude: Because cold weather ain’t no reason to stop enjoying life.

The Great Glebe Garage Sale: It’s big. Real Big.

Hope Volleyball Tournament: 10,000 Beach goers and fun in the sun.

Maker Faire Ottawa: Biggest one in Canada for tinkerers and techno-geeks.

Canada Day: Not really a festival but best party in the country.