Get Ready for the First‑Ever Music in the Woods Festival

A Celebration of Community, Culture, and 200 Years of Local History

Something special is taking root in the communities north of the 174 this summer. The Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association (CGOW CA), together with the neighbouring Chatelaine Village Community Association (CVCA), is launching the inaugural Music in the Woods Summer Festival — a joyful, free, one‑day celebration designed to bring residents together through music, culture, and community spirit. We will be needing all of your energy and help to make this a wonderful (hopefully annual) summer tradition.

Set beside the beautiful riverside parks near the Roy Hobbs Community Centre, the festival will showcase a full lineup of professional musicians, rising stars from local music schools, and bilingual performers who reflect the rich cultural fabric of Orléans.  But this festival is about much more than music. It’s a full‑day community experience designed for all ages. Families can look forward to kids’ activities, including crafts, games, and a bouncy castle. Food lovers will enjoy delicious offerings from local favourite food vendors, while adults can sip local craft beer from Dominion City Brewing. The event promises a lively, welcoming atmosphere where neighbours can relax, connect, and enjoy the best of local talent and local flavour.

This year’s festival also carries special significance: it’s part of the celebration of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary, honouring the history of Bytown, the logging town that eventually became Ottawa.  We will profile the history of our community and celebrate the anniversary right here in our neighbourhood.  CGOW CA is grateful to be a benefactor of the Ottawa 200 Civic Events Funding Program, enabling us to kick off a new festival that promotes neighbours meeting neighbours in their local community and builds resilience and connections.

At its heart, Music in the Woods is about strengthening community bonds. The event is intentionally designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all residents — from young families to older adults, from long‑time locals to newcomers. Volunteers from both CGOW CA and CVCA will play a major role in bringing the day to life, the festival is poised to become one of the most vibrant and inclusive events the community has hosted.  We will need volunteers from the community to help us plan, organize and execute this new festival.  Please contact us at [email protected] or through our Facebook page to volunteer in any way you can, we will NEED all of you!!! Stay tuned for more details.

The Music in the Woods Festival is the beginning of a new summer tradition. A celebration of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the vibrant, connected community we’re continuing to build together.