Blackburn Community Association

December 2025 News

Seasons Greetings

BCA Seasons Greetings Thank you to the community for making all the events that Blackburn Hamlet hosted this year such a resounding success! It truly is amazing that this community banded together to put on over 70 events, with something for every age group.

The BCA hope that you have a wonderful finish to 2025 and all the best in the new year!

BCA Bites!

The three Blackburn Hamlet entrance signs were installed by the BCA in 1999 and 2001. The signs are constructed of brick and wrought iron as these materials are typical of what was used in the Hamlet in the early days. The trees on the sign signify the NCC greenbelt, which is an important element of what makes this community so distinctive. The 1834 date on the signs comes from the 1834 assessment roll, which was the first time it was documented that there were families living in Concessions 2 and 3 (Blackburn Hamlet area).

Neighbourhood Watch

Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch

The Christmas season often attracts thieves who know that shopping for presents often means expensive gift purchases left in parked cars. Please do not leave items in plain view while parked unattended.

If you have not noticed, the OPS and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm have been publishing many warnings of scams and frauds taking place. I encourage you all to make yourselves familiar with these scams so you don't fall victim. It has been a rough year financially for many victims of this type of crime. And never click on suspicious links or provide PINs or passwords to any entity you are unsure of.

Why not sign up for Neighbourhood Watch through using the form found on the BCA Neighbourhood Watch page to receive monthly updates?

It is critical that any crimes, or attempted crimes, be reported to police through their on line reporting page or by phone at 613-236-122 ext 7300 (911 if urgent).

In addition, I remind all in the Hamlet about the Ottawa Police Crime Mapping tool, available on the internet at data.ottawapolice.ca/pages/maps, which is updated daily by the OPS.

November 2025 Crime Map Blackburn Hamlet

Above is a snapshot from October 30 to November 24, 2025. It shows 2 thefts, 2 assaults, and one robbery. By clicking on the individual icon incidents, you can see the crime type, date, and time of the incident reported. It is important to report all crime to OPS on line at least, in order for police analysts to assist officers in follow up investigations, and for reallocation of resources, if needed.

Seniors Corner

When: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Where: Halibut House, 2672 Innes Road in Blackburn Hamlet

Blackburn Seniors (55+) are invited to gather for a great meal, wonderful conversation and lots of laughs. As usual, we will collect at the breakfast non-perishable goods or cash donations for the Life Centre Food Bank.

Please email seniors@blackburnhamlet.ca if you wish to attend by December 1st as this has become a popular event and space is limited.

Seniors Holiday Potluch

When: December 13 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where: Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive

❄️Let it Snow❄️

Potluck Dinner followed by entertainment and door prizes.

Donations at the door will be received (cash or cheque) to the Snowsuit Fund.

Santa's Pancake Breakfast

Pancake Breakfast Sold Out

The annual Blackburn Hamlet Community Association (BCA) Santa Pancake Breakfast will be held on December 6, 2025 at the Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive.

Unfortunately, all four sittings for this year’s Santa’s Pancake Breakfast are now at full capacity, which means we are no longer able to accept new reservations for this event.

If you already have a confirmed spot, here are a few helpful reminders for the day:

🚗 Parking:

The Community Hall lot is shared with Arena users and may fill up quickly. Additional parking is available at the Metro parking lot, just a short walk away.

💵 Payment:

If you are paying at the door, please bring cash. We do not have debit or credit service available on-site.

We want to thank everyone for all this excitement and support! This event fills up year after year, and we couldn’t be more grateful for such a wonderful community. We look forward to flipping pancakes and celebrating together next weekend!

Community Christmas tree

Christmas Tree Ornaments On December 13, starting at 5:00 PM, the Blackburn Hamlet Community Association, in collaboration with its community partners, will host its annual lighting of the Community Christmas Tree event. The event is held on the property directly in front of the Blackburn Pharmacy, located at the corner of Innes & Southpark Drive.

This tree lighting ceremony is designed to bring neighbors, friends and families together and celebrate the time of Christmas. This year’s festivity will include Christmas carols, gifts for the children, soothing hot chocolate, topped off with marshmallows, along with those high-quality food groups, Timbits and candy canes. Another key feature of the tree decorating ceremony will be to have children in the crowd place specially designed ornaments on the tree.

There will be limited parking in the area and we ask that you use the parking area at École Sainte-Marie.

Everyone is welcomed. Hope to see you there. Please contact safety@blackburnhamlet.ca for any questions.

Kids & Youth Activities

Holiday Crafts: Saturday December 13th from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Kids and youth of all ages are invited to come by the Blackburn Hall and use their creativity and holiday spirit to create various holiday themed crafts! Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Family Pizza and Holiday Movie Night: All ages Monday December 23rd from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Looking for something to do during the Holidays and need a break? Take your family to the Hall for a pizza party and a holiday movie! Please register for your free slice of pizza and a drink by sending an email to youth@blackburnhamlet.ca include total of kids (4-12) and adults (13+). Popcorn will also be provided. You are invited to bring your blankets, cozies, or chairs if you want to be extra comfortable.

Kids Bingo : Ages 8 – 17: Friday, December 26th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Bring your kids to the Community Hall for Kids bingo! There will be prizes for winners. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Youth “Paint Night”: Ages 7-17, Sunday December 28th at 1:00 PM at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Register for free to participate in 1 of 2 guided painting sessions by sending an email to youth@blackburnhamlet.ca Please indicate the name of the participant and the age (Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult).

Do you like games? Let’s PLAY!! Ages 9-17 Tuesday, December 30th from 6:30PM to 8:30 PM at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Older kids and teens are invited to come hang out and play some board games with your friends, we will also have video games (Nintendo Switch, N64, Wii) and snacks for you to enjoy.

Kids Yoga: Ages 6 – 12 Saturday, January 3rd from 11:00 AM to noon at the Blackburn Community Hall.

Ready to feel refreshed before the end of the holidays? Start the New Year off right and participate in kids yoga at the Hall. Enjoy a fruit juice or smoothie when the yoga ends before heading home. *Please arrive on time. Bring your own yoga mat or towel. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.