Hello ORLÉANS!

Welcome to the 74th edition of Orléans Connect. As always, welcome new subscribers! 👋

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Orléans since we started this newsletter last year, it’s that the residents of Orléans sure love their pets!

So this week, instead of the usual weekly poll, we’re doing something really special… we’re launching our first 🐶 Cutest Pets of Orléans Contest! 🐱

A huge thank you 🙏 to our generous sponsors who have provided over $1,500 worth of prizes up for grabs. Round 1 of voting begins today!

You can vote below ⬇️ at the bottom of this newsletter, on the contest page, and in the comments on social posts on Instagram and Facebook which we’ll be posting regularly during the course of the contest.

Read about all the details of the contest prizes, entry conditions, and format of the contest!

This contest is generously sponsored by:

Important note: Thank you so much to everyone who submitted their pet photos for the contest. Due to the large number of submissions and the bracket-style contest, we were forced to limit the number of contestants. If you submitted your pet(s), but they don’t appear in this first edition of the contest, they will be automatically included in a future edition of this contest. 🙏

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Here’s what’s going on in Orléans over the next 7 days…

An aerial view of Lakeridge Park in Orléans

WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS

Check out the weekly recurring events on this page: Weekly Orléans Events! From live music, to outdoor yoga, to markets, to bingo and trivia, Orléans really isn’t a sleepy suburb at all.

Here’s our roundup of upcoming events:

🏃🏾‍♀️ August 20th - Join the Orléans Women’s Run Club at Chris’s Ice Cream at 6:30 PM for a warm-up. 5 KM run (check out Princess Louise Falls!), all paces welcome. Post run, enjoy Chris’ tasty ice cream with the group!
📍3003 St Joseph Blvd
🎶 August 21st - It’s the final Orléans Unplugged of the summer! This free outdoor summer music series hosted by the Heart of Orléans BIA has been bringing local talent, community vibes and laid-back Friday evenings all summer long! On this week: Stuart Hoopfer, from 6-7:30 PM.
📍Orléans Town Centre Courtyard - 250 Centrum Blvd
🎤 August 21st - Live Music: Divided Highway is on at the Orléans Legion! On from 7-11 PM. Great music, good company, cold drinks, and a dance floor waiting for you. Open to everyone and no cover charge.
📍800 Taylor Creek Rd
👂August 21st - It’s Musical Bingo at Taproom260 - think you know your music? Put your ears to the test! 8:30-10 PM.
📍260 Centrum Blvd
🎶 August 22nd - Queenswood Heights Music Festival - a free family-friendly day of live music, an artisan market, community BBQ and a Family Fun Zone, from 10 AM - 4 PM at Queenswood Ridge Park.
📍346 Kennedy Lane East
🎥 August 22nd - Cardinal Creek Community Association is hosting Movie Night in the Park (Zootopia 2!) at Glandriel Park at 7 PM. 🍿
📍2122 Valin St
😂 August 22nd - Comedy Show with Abbas Wahab: Dialed-In Tour at Shenkman Arts Centre. Abbas Wahab is a New York-based, Canadian comedian. Two showtimes: 7 PM & 9:30 PM. Ages 16+. 🎟️ Tickets $38.99.
📍245 Centrum Blvd
🌻 August 23rd - The Original Navan Market is on, rain or shine! With over 220 local vendors, youth entrepreneurs, live entertainment, amazing food options, free admission and free parking, this market is always an excellent time! 9:30 AM - 2 PM
📍1279 Colonial Rd
💃 August 23rd - Introducing the Orléans Cookout - a day party, block party, dance party and cookout to celebrate summertime with good food, good music, and the best neighbours! On from 3-10 PM.
📍255 Centrum Blvd

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 🎟️

👠 Drag Night is back at Broadhead Brewery, on Sat, Sept 12th. Hosted by Kiki Coe with YETI, Omari B Johnson and Aish, featuring fabulous outfits and non-stop entertainment. Doors 6:30 PM, Show 7-10 PM. 🎟️Tickets $30. Get your tickets now!
🎶 Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners is coming to the Shenkman Arts Centre Sept 22nd to 23rd. With breathtaking performances and authentic Irish spirit, this show spans over 50 years, commemorating The Story of the Dubliners for a night of great music, and a celebration of the band that influenced many generations of Irish music.

🗓️ SAVE THE DATES 🗓️

🗿 Sculpture & Art Festival at the Humanics Institute, 3468 Old Montreal Rd. On Sun, Aug 30th, from 10 AM - 5 PM. The festival features local artists and sculptors showcasing their work throughout the grounds. Visitors can explore the sanctuary, browse various artistic media, and participate in a silence auction. Local food vendors will be on-site. Local author Timm Holmes will be doing improvisational storytelling.
🫜 Did you miss the Heart of Orléans Market last weekend? They hosted a super special Night Market and maybe you’re experiencing some FOMO? Check out this reel! AND fear not, the next market is coming up Sun, Sept 6th from 9:30 AM - 2 PM (daytime this time), but same great vibes, same great vendors!
🛠️ Have some items that need repairs? The Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association’s Environment Committee is hosting a Repair Cafe on Sat, Sept 19th from 2-5 PM at Orléans United Church.

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

🗞️ NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT: 🗞️

🚊 Despite our sighting of a train running along the LRT near Trim last week, OC Transpo says it’s still getting ready to put the O-Train’s long-delayed eastern extension through a testing regime. (CBC News)

🛝 The City of Ottawa is seeking your input regarding the design of the park in the Provence subdivision, in the Orléans South-Navan Ward. This is a new park located at 561 Montrichard Road. (City of Ottawa)

🏢 A city committee has asked city staff to review a proposal for a five-building, 1500 resident development in Orléans Town Centre that features no residential parking spaces. (CTV News)

🎡 79th edition of the Navan Fair deemed a resounding success, despite the brief downpour. (Orléans Star)

🛴 Ottawa Police are cracking down on unsafe and illegal e-scooter use by kids and teens under the age of 16, partly because of the increase in e-scooter injuries seen at CHEO.

🍁 For 120 years, Maple Hall has been the place where the community comes together in Cumberland. Today, this community landmark needs our help! Learn how you can support.

Photo credit: Josée Lavoie Photoart

This week’s Orléans business spotlight is… 🥁 … Josée Lavoie Photoart

Josée is a local, professional pet photographer who happens to be one of the sponsors of our Cutest Pets of Orléans contest and is giving away a Pet Photo Session as a prize for the 2nd place winner in the Dogs category.

Make sure to check out her website, Instagram, and Facebook, and if you wind up booking a photo session with Josée, make sure to tell her Orléans Connect sent you.

A three-bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse for under $370k in Orléans? Yes! This townhome is tucked into a sought-after enclave just moments from the Ottawa River and offers a modern lifestyle that’s hard to match. Check out the full listing here.