Yowzers! There’s a flurry of activity on Rideau Street today.
Djembe players lent beats to the proceedings as the Mayor, Councillor Fleury, local businesses and the Downtown Rideau BIA came together for the ribbon cutting ceremony & BBQ to mark the official re-opening – if not completion (Friel through Wurtemburg & Rideau River bridge still in progress) of the Rideau Street redevelopment project.
Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson & his beautiful light art was displayed – on a smaller scale – while awaiting road work completion. The 4 LED visual art installations will be situated between Waller & Coburg streets and stand 9 feet tall sparkling in the daylight whilst shimmering at night. I seriously can’t wait for these beauties.
Rideau Bakery outdid themselves; their cake decorated with historic pictures from the streets elegant past. Businesses up and down Rideau set up sidewalk displays offering discounts, gifts and taking the time to get to know their neighbours.
I picked up some lovely reflector straps and bike lights outside the EnviroCentre. I love this organisation they are so involved with Ottawa happenings and they’re offering discounts of 25-50% off today at the Rideau Street location where we chatted with the lovely Sheila & Melissa.
Later we discovered the Rideau Homeopathy wellness centre with physiotherapist & homeopath Mokhtar Akbari and massage therapist & acupuncturist Lori Mackay – 418 Rideau.
So many businesses were set up it’s a hard to name them all from Loblaw’s with a free BBQ to jamaican patties at the DJ Market by the African Heritage Centre, the local Library, Cony’s Nail Spa, Bytowne Cinema, Riccioli – such a fun time.
A final highlight was meeting Indigo who not only set up the most beautiful table but filled us in on the monthly Sandy Hill Good Food Market at 731 Chapel St. September’s market is tomorrow Saturday the 28th from 11am-3pm and they are hosting a community harvest BBQ from 1pm. Come for the market and stay for the great eats!! Future market dates will definitely be posted on the SandyHillSeen website from now on.
Sandy Hill Seen 