Is everyone as exhausted as I am after the first week back at school? If you are then your weekend plans may involve nothing more than your kids watching tv while you nap on the couch (I may have done this before). BUT, if you do want to get out, there is a lot of great stuff going on, including apple picking at the orchards. Here are the family friendly events for the weekend of September 7-8.

Saturday:

• Russell Fair – Russell Fairgrounds, 8:00 am – 9:00 pm (pet show, demolition derby, Little Ray’s reptiles, face painting, animals, magic show, Monkey Rock music, food and more)
• Renfrew Fair – 115 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Renfrew, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (horse show, midway, Little Ray’s reptiles, steer show and food)
• Saturday 5km and 1km – Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum, 8:30 am (fun run, everyone welcome, Online registration is $10.00 (18+)/$5.00 for Run Ottawa members. FREE for youth/kids under the age of 18. )
• Fall Kick Off – The Log Farm, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Wagon Rides, a corn maze, Animals, Scarecrows, Apples, Apple cider press demonstrations, fall decor and more)
• Gatineau Air Show – Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (impressive air show, same show offered saturday and sunday, children 5 and under are free, save a few dollars and buy tickets ahead of time on Friday)
• Fairytale Pirates and Princesses – Boldt Castle, 1000 Islands, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (a magical celebration worth the trip as Heart Island is transformed into a fairytale land. There will be singing, dancing, a face painter, mermaid, plenty of opportunities for everyone to get their photographs taken with the pirates and princesses, and much, more.)
• Baby Party – Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm (free event, includes parent and tot swim lesson, yoga with baby, prenatal yoga, craft station, playgroups, parent and tot skating lesson and more)
• Forest Valley Food Truck Rally – Chapel Hill Park, Orleans, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (free admission, come enjoy your pick of gourmet street food)
• Gatineau Riverfest – Centre Communautaire Farm Point, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm (dragon boat and canoe demos, kids zone with crafts and games, eco fair, food, live music and more)
• Beechfest – Beechwood Ave, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm (an annual community street fair on Beechwood Avenue from St. Charles to Marier. It features food, dance, art, music and community)
• Capital Pop Up Cinema Production: Back to the Future 2 -Beechwood Cemetery, 8:00 pm (free outdoor screening of the 80’s classic Back to the Future Part II.)
• Final Weekend of Northern Lights Show – Parliament Hill, 9:00 pm (key figures, events and achievements from Canadian history are brought to life against the backdrop of the Centre Block and Peace Tower)

Sunday:

• Russell Fair – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (baby show, touch a truck, Little Ray’s reptiles, face painting, animals, magic show, Monkey Rock music, food and more)
• Renfrew Fair – 115 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Renfrew, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (horse show, midway, Little Ray’s reptiles, steer show and food)
• Apple and Pumpkin Festival – Ferme Drouin, Casselman, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (horse and buggy rides, farm animal tour, apple picking, bouncy castles, pumpkin hunt, vendor market and more)
• Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run – Lansdowne Park, Great Lawn, 9:00 am (fundraising for the Ottawa Humane Society, 10K and 5K plus 3K walk, 2K Furry Fun Run and 1K Kids Fun Run)
• Gatineau Air Show – Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (impressive air show, same show offered saturday and sunday, children 5 and under are free, save a few dollars and buy tickets ahead of time on Friday)
• Festival of Flavours – Main St, VanKleek Hill, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (90 booths selling food, artisans, coffee, live music)
• Lanark County Harvest Festival – 1319 9th Line, Carleton Place, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Taste local food during cooking demonstrations, talk to food experts, listen to live musical talent, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, bounce in the obstacle course, greet the animals at the petting zoo, all FREE)
• Final Night of the Northern Lights Show – Parliament Hill, 9:00 pm (key figures, events and achievements from Canadian history are brought to life against the backdrop of the Centre Block and Peace Tower)