On September 12, Ottawa residents of all ages are invited to walk, roll, rock and celebrate what it means to age together at the Council on Aging of Ottawa’s Walk of Ages.
Taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard, the Walk of Ages has grown into much more than a community walk. With live music, a classic car show, food, activities, prizes and more than 40 community organizations and service providers, this year’s event promises an afternoon with something for just about everyone.
At its heart, however, the Walk of Ages is about bringing people together and creating a city where people can remain active, informed, connected and engaged as they grow older.
The Walk of Ages has continued to grow alongside the community that supports it. Last year, approximately 300 people attended and more than $29,000 was raised in support of the Council on Aging of Ottawa.
This year, the event is expanding again.
More than 40 booths will fill the grounds of the Rideau Community Hub, giving attendees an opportunity to meet organizations working throughout Ottawa and learn about the many programs, resources and services available to older adults and their families.
Visitors can explore the booths at their own pace while completing an event passport for a chance to win prizes. There will also be a BBQ canteen, activities throughout the grounds and plenty of opportunities to simply sit, connect and enjoy the afternoon.
And, fitting with this year’s rock ’n’ roll atmosphere, there will be lots of music.
Live entertainment will be a major part of this year’s celebration.
The stage will welcome Miss McLeod, lead performer of Rock of Ages at Hard Rock Hotel Ottawa, along with The Barrow Gang, bringing an energetic mix of live music to the event.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to get in on the action themselves during a special karaoke segment hosted by CTV’s Michael O’Byrne.
For those who prefer the rumble of an engine to a guitar riff, the Walk of Ages will also feature a classic car show showcasing vehicles from before 2000. Visitors can wander through the display, reminisce about favourite cars from years gone by and perhaps discover a few new favourites along the way.
Together, the music, cars, food and activities create an atmosphere that reflects what the Walk of Ages is intended to be: a celebration.
Of course, the walk remains at the centre of the day.
But there is no single way to participate.
Walk it. Roll it. Bike to it. Bring family or friends. Come for the entertainment, explore the booths or simply stop by and see what is happening.
The Walk of Ages is designed to welcome people with different abilities and from different generations. While the Council on Aging’s work focuses on older adults, the event itself is for the entire community.
That intergenerational spirit is important because aging is not something that belongs to one group of people. It is something every person experiences.
The Walk offers an opportunity to celebrate that shared experience while also challenging some of the assumptions about what growing older looks like.
Growing older can mean discovering new interests, building new relationships, staying active, volunteering, advocating for change and continuing to play an important role in the community.
The Walk of Ages is also an important fundraiser for the Council on Aging of Ottawa, a volunteer-driven charitable organization that has been working with and for older adults in the city for more than 50 years.
Through education, advocacy, research, information sharing and community engagement, the Council works to identify emerging issues and help make Ottawa a more age-friendly city.
Funds raised through the Walk of Ages help support that work and allow the organization to continue providing opportunities for older adults to learn, connect, participate and have their voices heard.
But fundraising is only one part of what makes the day meaningful.
By bringing dozens of organizations and hundreds of community members together in one place, the Walk also creates something increasingly valuable: an opportunity to connect face-to-face.
Someone might arrive to enjoy the music and discover a community program they never knew existed. A family member might find a resource that helps a loved one. An older adult might meet an organization, volunteer or neighbour who opens the door to something new.
And sometimes, people simply have a great afternoon together.
That is what the Walk of Ages is all about.
The Walk of Ages takes place Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rideau Community Hub, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard.
Admission is open to the community. Come walk, roll, explore, connect and enjoy an afternoon celebrating aging in Ottawa.
For event details, registration and ways to support the Walk, visit the Walk of Ages 2026 website.
Photo: Benny Corpus, Facebook
