Blackburn Community Association

June 2025 News

FunFair Corner

Only 1 week to go! June 6 - 8, 2025

This year’s fair is packed with many of your past favorites and a sprinkling of new activities for you to enjoy. There’s something for everyone!

Parade

This year’s parade theme is Elbows Up Canada and runs from Louis-Riel High School to the Lois Kemp Arena starting at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 7th.

Casino Night!

This year’s FunFair will include a 3-hour Casino Night on Friday June 6 in the arena from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM sponsored by le Club Optimiste de Blackburn Hamlet. Games will include two blackjack tables and one Ultimate poker table. Games will end at 9:45 p.m. and all chips will then be exchanged for raffle tickets where 10 chips = 1 raffle ticket toward the grand prize of a big screen TV, supplied by the Blackburn Pharmacy.

Music lineup

The FunFair will also be hosting two nights of entertainment in the beer garden, featuring:

Bytown Sea Shanty Collective on Friday during Craft Brew Night. Rekindle your love of East Coast music and join in a few singalongs. No cover!
Barrelhouse Beatles Tribute on Saturday. Enjoy the Abbey Road Album and other hits note for note! $25 Cover charge.
Other acts include: The Fake McCoys, Double Standard, Hold my Beer, Singhouse Studios, Nepean School of Music, School of Rock.

New attractions

Tired of the same old activities and looking for something different? We’ve got you covered.

RyJs Inflatables including the Big Baller, tippy ladder, bungee run and slapshot - all weekend
9-Hole mini-putt - Saturday only
Pony rides - Saturday only
Stilt Walker Luciano Lu - Saturday only
Cornhole tournament - Sunday
A D&D One Shot and MTG Commanders tournament - Saturday
Juggler Jean-Guy Beaudry - Sunday
Comedian Chris Pilsworth - Sunday

Silent Auction Fundraiser - Now Online!

Your beloved Funfair Silent Auction is back again this year - with an exciting twist for 2025! This year, for the first time ever, all bids will be placed online, making it easier than ever to support our community on site at the Funfair, out and about, or from the comfort of your own home.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses and individuals, we've gathered a treasure trove of auction items that are sure to delight. From luxury gift baskets and spa treatments to dining experiences, family activities, and exclusive gifts – there's something for everyone!

Bidding Opens: Morning of May 31st.

Click here to go to our online auction. Onsite - you can also visit us to see items in person at Lois Kemp Arena (200 Glen Park Drive) on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Simply browse the auction items, place your bid, and keep an eye on your emails to see if you've been outbid!

Bidding closes on Saturday, June 7 at 3:00 PM.

All proceeds from the silent auction go directly toward supporting the Blackburn community. So get ready to bid, win, and make a difference – all while celebrating the spirit of Blackburn. Thank you for your support, and happy bidding!

More Information

Check out the FunFair web page at blackburnfunfair.ca for even more activities, schedule updates as well as Fun Run, softball, cornhole and RPG registrations.

Don't Forget!

Bearbrook Road will be closed from Louis Riel High School to the Blackburn Arena from 9:45 AM until 10:45 AM on Saturday June 7 for the FunFair parade. Please respect the barricades and monitors at streets and entrances to parking lots along the route.

The EV Chargers at Lois Kemp Area will not be accessible from Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8 as the parking lot is reserved for FunFair activities.

FunFair Digital Sales

Draft Zoning By-law Reminder

The second draft of the new Ottawa Zoning By-law was released to the public on March 20, 2025. The focus is on increased density following provincial guidelines and does not consider roads, infrastructure or transit.

Blackburn Hamlet residents are encouraged to visit engage.ottawa.ca/zoning to review these changes and provide their feedback by emailing NewZoning@Ottawa.ca and Laura.Dudas@Ottawa.ca.

Residents can also attend an in-person open house on Monday, June 2 from 6:30PM to 8:00 PM at Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Drive) or register to attend a virtual open house on Tuesday, June 3 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Seniors Events

Seniors Breakfast Get-Together

Blackburn Seniors (55+) are invited to gather for a great meal, wonderful conversation and lots of laughs on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Halibut House, 2672 Innes Road

Donations of non-perishable items for the Lifecentre Foodbank would be appreciated.

Please RSVP to Shirley at 613-841-7691 by Monday, June 2nd.

Seniors Walk-and-Talk

Please mark your calendars and join other avid walkers at the Bearbrook Road stoplight entrance to Isaiah Scharfe Park (Bush Park) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM.

Walks will proceed rain or shine. Should the weather be unexpectedly bad, please check the BCA Facebook group for updates.

Seniors Summer Lunch

To welcome summer, we’ll hold a lunch at the Portugalos Restaurant, 2A-110 Bearbrook Road on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Noon.

Please contact Shirley to register at 613-841-7691.

Youth Activities

Art in the Park

Saturday June 15, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Blackburn Community Hall (190 Glen Park Drive) and exterior terrace (weather permitting).

Kids and Youth ages 5-18 are welcome to come by and create some art at the Community Hall. There will be various stations with crafting activities where kids and youth from all levels can participate, and even some stations where you can make a Fathers Day gift. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Colouring Contest Winners

Thank you to all the kids and youth who submitted their beautiful works of art to this contest. We received eighteen entries from kids ranging in age from 4 to 12, and the judges’ deliberation was very difficult! Congratulations to our winners, who each won a $20 cash prize.

Jackson (4)
Summer (4)
Ella (5)
Lance (7)
Khadija (8)
Eliane (9)
Chloe (11)

Community Safety

Crime Prevention Workshop

On June 18, starting at 7:00 PM the BCA, in cooperation with Ottawa Police Services, will host a Crime Prevention Workshop at the Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive. The event will feature four specific components of Crime Prevention. They are:

Make the Right Call: Learn how you are helping build a safer community by Making the Right Call. Calls to the Police must be prioritized quickly and responded to appropriately. Learn how “Make the Right Call” spells out which telephone number to call depending on the nature of the call — life threatening emergency or crime in progress (9-1-1), and other emergencies.
National Capital Crime Stoppers: Learn about Crime Stoppers, a community-based tips program that allows residents to anonymously report information about crimes and offers cash rewards of up to $2,000 for this information. Learn how in 2024, the community’s support of Crime Stoppers led to $233,345 worth of property being recovered, and how Crime Stoppers can play a vital role in community safety.
CAMSafe: Learn about the new police initiative designed to enhance crime prevention and investigations by leveraging community security cameras. Studies have shown security cameras have not only reduced crime rates but also act as an extra set of eyes to help police identify and apprehend criminals. This program establishes a community network that will help protect our neighborhoods.
Neighbourhood Watch: Learn how your Neighbourhood Watch is evolving into a highly effective means for Neighbours to help Neighbours and our plans to enhance its expansion.

This event is open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend. The BCA is asking residents to please send confirmation of your attendance to safety@blackburnhamlet.ca by June 13 so that adequate logistical arrangements can be made. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

First Aid Training

The BCA will be hosting the next First Aid Course on June 21, 2025. The details of the Course are:

CPR Level C & AED (Adult, Child & Infant) 6-hour course, 3-year Red Cross certification
Responding to emergencies
Check, Call, Care
Airway emergencies
Breathing & circulation emergencies
CPR, Cardiac Arrest & AED
Written exam (min. passing grade: 75%)

The cost is $65.00 plus HST ($8.45) = $73.45.

Anyone interested in attending this important life-saving training can register at safety@blackburnhamlet.ca. The BCA would like to acknowledge the strong community support of the Aspira Retirement Residence who has hosted this event for several years.

An Emergency Can Happen at Any Time—Are You Ready?

As in many cities around the world, Ottawa continues to experience warmer, wetter and more unpredictable weather due to climate change. Being ready for the unexpected helps keep everyone safe in case of an emergency and also plays an important role in recovery efforts.

In the event of an emergency, are you ready to take care of yourself and your family for up to three days? By taking a few simple steps now, you can feel more confident and ready when disaster strikes.

The Are You Ready? workbook is a practical guide to help individuals and families stay safe during emergencies. It provides easy-to-follow worksheets and checklists. The workbook will help you understand your risks, make a tailored plan and build an emergency kit.

Download the Are You Ready? workbook [PDF]

Garden Stroll 2025

Do you have a garden?

Rows, raised beds, perennials, annuals, vertical gardening, containers, trellises… doesn't matter, the BCA would love to see whatever cool gardens you are working on! Consider having your garden in our Garden Stroll this summer and inspire other gardeners!

Contact Cynthia at gardentour@blackburnhamlet.ca or miriam@blackburnhamlet.ca for more information.

SATURDAY JULY 5TH & SUNDAY JULY 6TH 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Local artists on site
Master Gardeners offering their advice
Musicians serenading you on your garden stroll
Ice Cream truck following the tour
Free, self-directed tour with map available (start anywhere)
Food Bank cash donations will be accepted at select gardens

More information, along with a map of participating gardens will be posted on the BCA Website Garden Stroll page soon.

BCA Board Meeting

When: Thursday, June 19, 2025, 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Where: Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive and Online via Zoom

This meeting is open to residents of Blackburn Hamlet in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Email secretary@blackburnhamlet.ca for more information or for the link to the online Zoom call.

It's BCA Membership Renewal Time!

Membership

If you have purchased a Blackburn Community Association (BCA) membership over the last year, please remember that it will expire on June 30, 2025.

You can renew online, by mail, or in person by visiting us at the BCA table at the Funfair in the Lois Kemp arena on June 7 or 8.

A BCA Membership is only $10 per family at the same address. A family is defined as two adults and all dependents at the same address. The membership is valid from July 1st of one year to June 30th of the subsequent year.

To learn more about the membership and renewal options, please check out the Membership page on the BCA Website.

Blackburn Art Group

Make some time for your art!

The Blackburn Art Group welcomes artists to work on their own projects in a group of friendly, like-minded people.

Where: Blackburn Community Centre

When: Every 2nd Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM from September to May.

Cost: $40 per person annually, for 17 afternoon sessions.

Materials: Everyone brings their own supplies and works on their own projects.

Note: No instruction is provided, members work quietly on their own, and help each other as requested.

Information: Phone Camille at 613-741-6783

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Faite du temps pour vos créations artistiques

Le groupe artistique de Blackburn accueilli les artistes qui désir travaillé sur leur propre projet parmi des gens amicales du même genre.

Où: la salle communautaire de Blackburn Hamlet

Quand: Chaque 2ième jeudi de 13hrs à 16hrs de septembre au mois de mai.

Coût: 40$ annuellement par personne, pour 17 séances en après-midi.

Matériaux: Tout le monde apporte leurs propres approvisionnements d’art et travail sur leur propre projets.

Notez: Aucun instruction est donné, les membres travaillent seul et tranquillement. Parfois, un va aider l’autre, au besoin.

Renseignements: Appelez Camille au 613-741-6783

Let's Bike Month 2025

Let's Bike Month

This June, join thousands of Ottawa residents in celebrating Let’s Bike Month 2025!

The City of Ottawa has been partnering with EnviroCentre to support our yearly cycling campaign for 16 years! With thousands of participants, hundreds of teams, and dozens of events throughout the month, Let’s Bike Month is one of the largest and longest-running cycling campaigns in Canada.

How to participate this year:

Sign up as an individual and start a team to encourage your community to join in!
Log your bike rides and see the impact YOU make by choosing to bike!
Like or follow Let’s Bike Ottawa on Facebook or Instagram!
Share your rides on social media and tag us with #LetsBike2025
Join one of our exciting events or workshops! Hurry – some activities require registration and space is limited!

Thanks to our amazing community sponsors, Let’s Bike Month will be giving away thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to participants throughout the month of June, JUST for riding their bike. To be entered into our prize draws, you just need to have logged a ride during the month of June. You can see a list of prizes and sponsors here!

For more information about the campaign, please contact transport@envirocentre.ca.