Hello ORLÉANS!

Welcome to the 13th edition of Orléans Connect.

June is here and it seems like the hot weather ☀️🌡️ has returned, albeit with your usual dose of rain and fire smoke, so I guess this is perhaps the kind of summer it’s going to be?

This week we have another food spot review and a very strong contender for what could be the best burger 🍔 in Orléans. Make sure to check that out below. ⬇️

And before we get to this week’s events…

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Are you looking for things to do in Orléans? Here’s our latest roundup of upcoming events:

• 🍺 June 6th - 7th - Get ready to kick-off summer with the Orléans Craft Beer Festival! This can’t-miss festival brings together the best in craft beer, smooth wines and spirits, delicious eats and live entertainment - all in one incredible weekend! Festival is on rain or shine - the massive tents span the festival grounds, keeping the good vibes flowing regardless of the weather. This is a 19+ event. 🎟️ Tickets available online.

  📍 255 Centrum Blvd (outdoors)

• 🎆 June 6th - 8th Get ready for non-stop fun at the Blackburn Hamlet FunFair! From inflatable adventures to jaw-dropping performances by a magician, stiltwalker, and juggler, there’s excitement around every corner! Challenge yourself on the climbing wall, enjoy a game of mini putt, and check out our new Casino Room! Don't miss the dazzling Fireworks display Saturday night, along with headlining Beatles tribute band Barrelhouse, and the chance to win big in the 50/50 Raffle! With something for everyone, it's a day you won't want to miss!

  📍190 Glen Park Dr.

• 🚒 June 7th - Firefighters Day at the Cumberland Heritage Museum. FREE admission! 11 AM - 4 PM. A broad range of activities are planned including water ball, bucket brigade, vehicle extraction (Jaws of life), grease fire simulator, children’s firefighter challenge, tug of war, and more! Don’t forget to bring a towel!

  📍2940 Old Montreal Road, Cumberland

• 🐝🦋 June 7th - Pollinator Appreciation Day! Hosted by Wild Pollinator Partners. Meet people who have created a pollinator garden, talk with scientists who study pollinators, connect with organizations that support pollinator projects. Enter a free raffle to win a “little bit” for your garden! Learn how to plan your own garden to provide flowers for pollinators in spring, summer and fall. Find out how to start a pollinator garden at your local school or park. There will be so much to explore, including games and crafts for kids!

  📍Fletcher Wildlife Garden, 865 Prince of Wales Dr, Ottawa

• 🌱June 7th - Big Give Garden Giveaway - There will be plants, gardening tools, supplies and refreshments. Everything is free! Come help yourself to some gardening supplies and snacks and meet your neighbours at this ‘Big Give’ event! 🫶

  📍St Helen’s Anglican Church, 1234 Prestone St

• 🏃‍➡️ June 8th There’s still time to register for the BlackBurn Fun Run! This family-friendly event will be offering 1K and 2K cross-country routes - a great way to get active, enjoy the outdoors and support local charities and organizations. Whether you’re running, jogging or walking, this event is open to everyone! Register Online: deadline is June 7th. All registered participants will receive finisher medals, and medals will be awarded to the first, second and third male and female who cross the finish line for each event.🥇

  📍On the soccer field behind the Blackburn Hamlet Community Centre, 190 Glen Park Dr.

• 🛹 June 8th - Grand Opening of Stefan Wenek Skate Park! Come on out and celebrate the grand opening of this new skate park from 2 PM - 4 PM. This even will also officially honour the late Stefan Wenek, who the park has been officially renamed in honour of.

  📍Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Dr

• ♠ June 9th - Stray Dog Brewing Company is hosting a Brewchre Tournament! Join a great group of people playing euchre in a cool spot - have some laughs and drink beer! Pizza served at 6 PM, cards dealt at 6:30 PM. Send an email to [email protected] to get on the list.

  📍 501 Lacolle Way

• 🎷🎶 June 11th - Don’t miss the Orléans Jazz Band who will playing for Music in the Park at 7 PM. Music in the Park will be on every Wednesday evening in June! Refreshments available for purchase. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the tunes!

  📍 Navan Fairgrounds, 1279 Colonial Rd, Navan

🧑‍🌾 UPCOMING MARKETS 🥬

Market season is upon us and there are so many wonderful markets in and around Orléans! Get these dates in your calendar.

• 🧑‍🌾 Saturday June 7th - It’s Opening Market Day at the Cumberland Farmers Market! There promises to be an incredible lineup of fresh, local produce, handmade goods and unique finds from all your favourite vendors - and some brand new faces too! There is live music, fun activities for kids and families. This dog-friendly market also has accessible parking and public restrooms on-site for your conveinence. 9 AM - 1 PM📍1115 Dunning Road, Cumberland

•  🥒 Every Saturday - The Metcalfe Farmers’ Market kicked off their weekly market season last weekend. They have 45+ local producers, free coffee and cookies (9 AM - 10 AM - while supplies last!), live music, a petting zoo, pet-friendly vibes, and plenty of free parking! 📍2821 8th Line Rd, Metcalfe

• 🫛 Every Thursday - The Orléans Farmers Market is on from 11 AM - 4 PM, you can visit the 35+ local vendors in the parking lot of the Ray Friel Community Centre. Shop for the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more! Get to know the farmers and vendors while you’re at it. Everything is authentic (no resellers) and produced within 100 km of Ottawa!

🏘️ GARAGE SALE ROUNDUP 🏘️

The season of community garage sales continues!!

• 🏘️ Saturday June 7th, from 9 AM - 3 PM, Greater Avalon and Avalon Encore had a rain date last Saturday, and so the community garage sale will be happening this Saturday! Check their Facebook page for an updated list of addresses on Friday, June 6th.

• 🏘️ Saturday June 7th, from 8 AM - 1 PM, Cumberland’s Annual Community Garage Sale. Explore the map of participating households.

• 🏘️ Saturday June 14th, from 8 AM to 2 PM, check out the Villages Community Garage Sale. If you'd like your home to be added to the Garage Sale hosts map, please register here. Check out the most up to date map here.

🗓️SAVE THE DATES! 🗓️

• 🐶 June Breeze Market (Dog Friendly) - at Shenkman Arts Centre, Saturday June 14th

• ⚡Home Energy Efficiency and Heat Pumps Event (Open House) at François Dupuis Recreation Centre, Saturday June 14th, 9:30 AM - 12 PM

• 🏓 Orléans Pickeball Festival - Sunday June 15th

• 🎉 Orléans Family Fun Fest and Orléans Maker Market - both on Sunday June 15th at Pierre Rocque Park

• 🏌️ 2nd Annual Orléans Brewing Co Charity Golf Tournament - Friday, June 27th - Register your team online here

Do you have an event you want to see featured here? Let us know!

📰 News you should know about…

🗣️ The City of Ottawa is looking for input from residents to gather ideas and feedback as they draw the budget for City Council’s consideration. Share your feedback and get engaged! You can participate in the questionnaire until June 30th.

🍼🧷🩲 If you have diapers, incontinence products and/or home healthcare waste, did you know that the City of Ottawa offers a ‘Special Consideration Program’? This Program allows households to put a request to have a weekly pick up of those items, rather than having to hold them for the bi-weekly regular garage pickup! Learn more here.

The weather is getting pretty glorious - this is the perfect time to get active, with the longer days upon us!

 🏋️‍♀️ Participaction Community Challenge

Are you ready to break a sweat and help our community win $100,000? As part of the Participaction Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk, the City of Ottawa is running free virtual fitness classes for the entire month of June! Sign-Up Now.

🛶☀️Orléans High School War Canoe Challenge! 🌊

Get ready for an action-packed Canada Day race — and join a fun, social paddling crew for teens born in 2010 or earlier! Bring your energy, teamwork, and a love for the outdoors.

✅ What’s Included:

• No paddling experience required

• All equipment and coaching provided

• 4 afternoon/evening practices (dates TBA)

• Final event: Race Day – July 1, 2025

📅 Race Day Details: Date: July 1, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍Location: Petrie Island Canoe Club Each high school will form their own team of 20 paddlers, racing in true team spirit!

🏆 Prizes & Recognition:

• 1st Place: Trophy + medals

• Top 3 Teams: Medals + bragging rights

🧭 Why Join? Build confidence, make new friends, and have fun on the water this June/July! 📌 Spots are limited — first come, first served! Click here to register 🎉 Come cheer on the athletes and celebrate youth sport at its best!

🧘🏾🌕Full Moon Yoga!🌕 🧘‍♀️

Full Moon Yoga is BACK! While this isn’t hosted in Orléans, it’s a wonderful event that I look forward to participating in every summer. Head over to Landsdowne Park, on the Great Lawn for yoga by the light of the full moon. Join Sofiya for a grounding and revitalizing Yang and Yin Yoga class, blending gentle dynamic movement with deep, meditative stillness. This all-levels session blends breath-led, heart-opening Vinyasa to awaken and energize the body, and restorative Yin practice designed to soften connective tissue, release tension and calm the nervous system. Rooted in traditional yoga and informed by modern movement, this class is an invitation to reconnect, rebalance and return to yourself—perfect for students seeking both strength and surrender. This class offers accessible options and a welcoming space for all levels of experience. 🪷

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 🔦

This week’s Orléans business spotlight is…. 🥁 …. THE BAD ALIBI - located at 5935 Jeanne D Arc Blvd S.

In my, at some point ending quest to discover the best burger 🍔 in Orléans, I ventured out to visit The Bad Alibi. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

The Bad Alibi is a classic pub with a pub-like ambiance along with a great menu of delicious pub fare. Make sure to read my full assessment of this great dining option in our latest Orléans Food Spot Review.

So give The Bad Alibi a visit, and tell them Orléans Connect sent you.