Ottawa 
Events Description
Members of the public are invited to join the Canadian Military Engineers and the City of Ottawa on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for a free public event commemorating the 200th anniversary of Bytown. Activities will take place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Ottawa and along the Rideau Canal.
The program begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Lieutenant-Colonel John By statue in Major’s Hill Park, with remarks by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Chief Military Engineer Major-General Nicolas Pilon and other dignitaries. At 2:00 p.m., a five-kilometre fun run and walk will follow the canal pathway, while teams compete in a race using Canadian Military Engineer assault boats between the Rideau Street and Mackenzie King bridges. Closing activities will take place at Cartier Square Drill Hall from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The bicentennial recognizes the shared history of Ottawa and military engineering. In 1826, Lieutenant-Colonel John By and the Royal Engineers began the work that led to the Rideau Canal and the community of Bytown, helping shape the city that would become Canada’s capital.
The public should expect an increased Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence and military vehicle traffic around Major’s Hill Park, the Rideau Canal, Confederation Park, Parliament Hill, and Cartier Square Drill Hall. Participating CAF members will not be carrying weapons.
Beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m., 30th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery – the Bytown Gunners – will fire blank 105 mm howitzer rounds from Parliament Hill approximately four times until 4:00 p.m. to start the assault boat race heats. People nearby should expect a series of sudden, loud booms at intervals during the competition. No live ammunition will be used.
The cannon fire is a planned and controlled CAF ceremonial activity. Trained personnel will conduct all activities under established safety procedures and in coordination with the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission, Parks Canada and other government partners.
WHEN & WHERE
Date & Time:
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Opening Ceremony and Remarks – 1:00 p.m. @ Lieutenant-Colonel John By statue, Major’s Hill Park
- 5K CME Fun Run and Walk – 2:00 p.m. @ Rideau Canal Pathway, turnaround at Pretoria Bridge
- Canadian Military Engineer Assault Boat Race – 2:00 p.m. @ Rideau Canal, between Rideau Street and Mackenzie King bridges
- Bytown Gunners Ceremonial Cannon Fire – Approximately 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. @ Parliament Hill
- Closing Remarks and Sapper Beverage Showcase – 4:00 p.m. @ Cartier Square Drill Hall
- Event Concludes – 5:00 p.m. @ Cartier Square Drill Hall
Venue:
Downtown Ottawa and along the Rideau Canal, Ottawa
Public Transit Accessible
More to Do:
Things to Do This Weekend in Ottawa
