Fests set for last big weekend of the summer

Four gear up, one winds down

TIM WIECLAWSKI/METRO OTTAWA

During her first-ever visit to SuperEX, Carizza Valiente, centre, was one of the first to drop from the Cannon Ball ride Thursday afternoon at Lansdowne Park. The EX is one of many events filling the calendar for the last big festival weekend of the summer.

Published: August 21, 2009 5:27 a.m.

Last modified: August 20, 2009 11:36 p.m.

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Thrill seekers found plenty to be happy about Thursday, when SuperEX opened at noon.

Within minutes of the gates opening, Lovelyn Caparino, 9, and Carizza Valiente, 25, had taken the plunge on the Cannon Ball Ride.

“It almost gave me a heart attack,” said Caparino after the ride.

Valiente said they weren’t worried about the threat of afternoon showers.

“We don’t care if we get wet. We’re just here to have fun,” she said.

Organizers are expecting great weather for the opening weekend of the 121st annual event at Lansdowne Park, said spokesperson Doug Hempstead.

SuperEX is one of the many events happening during the last big weekend for festivals this summer.

From Friday through Sunday, music lovers have two different genres to choose from.

While the 16th annual Ottawa Folk Festival — which includes a series of gardening and music workshops along with performances by Bruce Cockburn, Steven Page, Amy Millan and Joel Plaskett — is held at Britannia Park, the second annual Ottawa Reggae Festival is held at Lebreton Park.

The 2009 edition of Capital Pride also kicks off Friday with the opening party and first-ever Walk the Bridge in My Shoes event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the murder of Alain Brosseau.

“Ottawa’s most colourful festival” has something for everyone this year,” said Capital Pride parade grand marshal and past chair Joanne Law.

As new festivals gear up, other ones are winding down.

Greekfest has enjoyed the best stretch of festival weather of the season, which has translated into big crowds at the Prince of Wales Drive location, said event manager Costa Koskoletos.

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