We're officially at the halfway point of summer, and what a season it has been. Between the buzz of late spring and the long warm evenings of July, the Glebe has been busier than ever. Before we get swept up in everything still to come, we wanted to pause and look back over the past couple of months.
What we got up to in May and June
The Great Glebe Garage Sale. Our biggest day of the year did not disappoint. Bank Street and the entire neighbourhood turned into one sprawling treasure hunt, with neighbours, browsers and bargain-hunters out in full force. We estimate we had over 30,000 visitors come hunt in the Glebe this year. The Glebe Business Improvement Area (Glebe BIA) took on new challenges and expanded the event this year by managing and facilitating the new avenue closures. These resulted in more pedestrian-only zones and added great community energy for the first time ever, much to the delight of the entire event! Thank you to everyone who stopped by, supported our businesses, set up tables, or simply soaked up the atmosphere. It's a tradition that only works because the whole community shows up for it.
City Sounds Live. Our summer concert series kicked off in June at the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church Courtyard at 816 Bank Street, presented in partnership with Ottawa Music Industry Coalition. To bring more artists and music-lovers to the Glebe, we spearheaded special partnerships with Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Ottawa Grassroots Festival. We welcomed hundreds of visitors to the courtyard for free live performances across a diverse range of musical genres. The energy was exactly what we had hoped for, with visitors and residents pulling up a chair, discovering new artists, supporting local businesses and turning their Saturday mornings into something special.
New art on Bank Street. If you've looked up lately, you've seen these stunning new artworks. The current Bank Street banners feature Hardi Vora's Glebe: Seasons of a Century series, bringing a fresh splash of colour and local character to the streetscape. The Glebe BIA commissioned these unique banners to celebrate the Glebe’s history alongside the city-wide Ottawa 200 celebration.
A few changes to the neighbourhood. We welcomed new faces to the Glebe business community, like Next Golf, Pokoloko, Altared: An Emporium of Good Things, Second Avenue Studio, and Golf Town. The Glebe is always evolving, and we're grateful for every business that makes this such a vibrant place to shop, eat and wander.
What's coming in July and August
The second half of summer is shaping up to be just as full. Here are some big things to look forward to:
Wednesday Night Live Music Series. The good vibes continue, but this time at night! Join us for free live musical performances on Wednesdays starting at 6 pm at the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church Courtyard from Wednesday July 8 to Wednesday August 12. This new series, in partnership with the Ottawa-Gatineau Music Association Local 180 brings new sounds and talent to the Courtyard, adding a soundtrack to your Wednesday evening in the Glebe, while you stroll, dine and relax in the golden hour. Click here for more details!
Wine and Dine the Glebe. This summer, explore the Glebe one bite at a time. Our beloved neighbourhood dining challenge is official back! This challenge is your guide to local flavours, patios, and culinary gems. Dine at the seven participating Glebe restaurants for a chance to win a grand prize valued at over $1000 in local dining. New this year: you can turn your regular visit to Glebe favourites into a bonus stamp by stopping at one of our four Culinary Explorer Bonus shops! Click here to learn more.
See you out there
Summer in the Glebe is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy everything the neighbourhood has to offer. Whether you're catching a show, finding a patio, browsing the shops or just taking a stroll down Bank Street, we hope you'll spend some of these long days with us in the Glebe.
There's plenty more summer to come, and we can't wait to share it with you.
Written by Yash Thapa, Project Coordinator at the Glebe BIA. Yash covers events, marketing and all the good things happening along Bank Street.
Reach the team at info@intheglebe.ca
