Ribfest, Chinatown Night Market among events drawing crowds to downtown Ottawa this weekend

From Sparks Street to Chinatown, festivals and events are bringing visitors to Ottawa’s downtown core this weekend. CTV’s Josh Marano reports.

Downtown Ottawa is buzzing this weekend as several major events draw residents and visitors into the core for food, culture and entertainment.

From the smell of barbeque on Sparks Street to packed sidewalks in Chinatown and crowds gathering in LeBreton Flats, thousands of people are expected to take part in festivals and celebrations across the city.

• Things to do in Ottawa this weekend: May 29-31

On Sparks Street, Ottawa Ribfest has returned with dozens of vendors servings ribs, brisket, chicken and other barbeque favourites.

Andrew Morrow was in attendance and says Ribfest has become an annual tradition.

“We’ve been about three years now we’ve been coming down,” Morrow said.

He believes events like Ribfest help bring people into the downtown core.

“We live down the way, so we do loops through here quite a bit and seeing this and Winterlude and all that sort of thing, festivals and stuff to get people down, I think is a great idea.”

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Hundreds of visitors could be seen enjoying meals on Sparks Street Saturday afternoon, with nearby restaurants opening their patios to allow visitors to eat.

A few blocks south, the Ottawa Chinatown Night Market is also drawing large crowds with food vendors, cultural performances, and entertainment lining Somerset Street West.

“This is the biggest Chinatown Night Market ever. We have 66 vendors in total,” says Yukang Li, executive director of the Somerset Street Chinatown BIA.

Li says last year, the weekend saw over 50,000 people and expects to see the same total this year.

At LeBreton Flats, the Ottawa Asian Fest Night Market is attracting visitors from across the city.

“It’s awesome for downtown, I’ve got to come down more often,” says Michael Fehr. “I don’t think of coming down here enough and now I’ve got to be down here more often.”

With all three events continuing through Sunday, organizers are hoping the strong turnout will provide a boost to local businesses while giving residents another reason to spend time in the city’s downtown core.

Event information

Ottawa Ribfest

• Location: Sparks Street
• Dates: May 27-31
• Hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with Sunday closing at 7 p.m., according to event listings

Ottawa Chinatown Night Market

• Location: Somerset Street West between Bronson Avenue and Bell Street
• Dates May 29-31
• Hours: Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ottawa Asian Fest Night Market

• Location: LeBreton Flats
• Dates May 29-31
• Hours: Saturday: Noon to midnight. Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.