Family-Friendly War Machines Weekend Returns with Live Military Demos in Ottawa

Canadians rarely get a chance to see military vehicles in action, but on August 8 and 9, the Canadian War Museum is giving people a chance to see these vehicles in a peaceful setting. 

War Machines Weekend will include several activities, including the one I am looking forward to most: seeing the tanks rumble into action on a demo track behind the museum.

The machines are restored by the museum’s volunteers.  

There are plenty of other activities taking place as well. The Royal Canadian Dragoons will have a static display of historical vehicles from the collection of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and there will be an opportunity to meet the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. 

Members of the International Plastic Modellers Society will be displaying their miniature versions of aircraft, military vehicles and automobiles.  

War Machines weekend offers even more chances to explore. On Friday, August 7, visitors can go inside the garage to meet restoration experts; a collection specialist and an acquisition officer will give a behind-the-scenes look at all that it took to prepare the military vehicles for the weekend event. Open to both kids and adults, tickets are $45 for adults and $35 for kids. 

Other activities include 15-minute talks by volunteers about the massive tanks from the Canadian War Museum collection, a chance to sample rations issued to soldiers during the War of 1812, and an opportunity to use a VR headset to explore in and around a digital 3D scan of the Sexton. This Second World War vehicle saw action in the British and Canadian forces.  

War Machines Weekend promises to be an action-packed mix of learning and entertainment. With a bit of luck and the right connections, I might even get the chance to drive a tank next year.

For more information about War Machines Weekend, visit www.warmuseum.ca.

Photos courtesy of the Canadian War Museum.