1-5-OH CANADA!

Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events.
We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on
the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season. 

Your city! Your festivals and events!
Like a good sunscreen, Ottawa Life has you covered.

Photos by Kamara Morozuk and Andre Gagne

It was a wet and wild way to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday but that didn't stop the thousands for taking to Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa for one of the biggest party's the country has ever seen. Ottawa Life Magazine photographers Kamara Morozuk and Andre Gagne weathered the storm to get up close to the day's performances and took to the street to capture these moments: 

“150 years? Nah,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the 25,000+ gathered on Parliament Hill and those watching across the country. “Look at us: Canada is being born today!”
Canadian folk icon and activitist Buffy Saint-Marie kicked off the noon performances on the Hill with an uplifting performance.

Indigenous dancers, drummers and song celebrated the culture of Canada's First Nations.
#Resistance150 made their presence known from the teepee erected near the stage. Justin Trudeau: "As a society, we must  recognize past mistakes, accept our responsibilities, and take action to ensure that each and every Canadian has a bright future."
As the weather cleared the crowd watched a performance by Marie-Mai, Laurence Nerbonne and the Maritime Bhangra Dancers.
Ottawa-born actress Sandra Oh and French Canadian musician Mitsou entertained the crowd between performances.
A surprise appearance by Shania Twain and friends to introduce Canada's new astronauts. 
People like this group had to get there early if they wanted to get onto the Hill.
Waits were up to two hours to get through security checks. 
A special performance by U2's Bono and The Edge was one of the day's most touching moments.

Those who couldn't make it onto the Hill took to the War Memorial where the show was broadcast on a big screen.
Other groups filled the downtown core with parties on every corner!

Major's Hill Park was a great stop for lunch with the Chicken Farmers of Canada.

People enjoy the NAC makeover in the new Atrium!
 Montreal-based indie pop group Groenland perform at Jazz Fest!

As expected, Police presence was high.
Lines were long with many not making it to the Hill.
The 25,000+ who did manage to make it through the lineups then hunkered
down to weather a storm that delayed the show by an hour.
Sophie Gregoire-trudeau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosted the evening shows on Parliament Hill.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly | Minister of Canadian Heritage
Lisa LeBlanc

Alessia Cara

Serena Ryder
Dean Brody

Cirque du Soleil 
Gordon Lightfoot
Walk Off The Earth
Fireworks ignited the night sky to bring the night to a close.