As Ottawa prepares for the vibrant colors and festivities of the annual Canadian Tulip Festival, residents will be treated to a spectacular aerial display this Saturday. Four Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets will soar over the capital, officially marking the opening of one of the city’s most beloved spring traditions.
The flyover is scheduled to take place at approximately 12:30 p.m., weather permitting, according to festival organizers. These powerful jets will pass over Commissioners Park at Dow’s Lake, where the heart of the tulip displays draws thousands of visitors each year.
“This flyover represents the perfect blend of Canadian military pride and our historical connection to the Netherlands,” says Mireille LaPointe, a festival coordinator I spoke with yesterday. “It adds another layer of excitement to what’s already a special weekend for our community.”
The Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands during World War II and the subsequent gift of tulips from the Dutch royal family. This year’s festival runs from May 10 to 20, featuring over a million tulips in bloom across the National Capital Region.
Captain Jordan Miller from the Royal Canadian Air Force told me the flyover team has been preparing for weeks. “Our pilots take great pride in participating in community events like this. It’s a way for us to connect with Canadians while showcasing the precision and capability of our air force,” he explained.
Festival-goers should position themselves near Commissioners Park for the best viewing experience. The jets will approach from the west, making a single pass over the tulip beds before banking eastward.
For Ottawa resident Marion Yates, 68, who has attended the festival for over two decades, the military flyover adds something special to the opening ceremonies. “There’s something powerful about seeing those jets streak across the sky above all those colorful tulips,” she shared while planting in her garden. “It reminds us of why we have this festival in the first place – because of the sacrifices made during the war.”
The festival itself has grown significantly since its inception in 1953. What began as a celebration of the gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs from Princess Juliana of the Netherlands has evolved into one of the largest tulip festivals in the world, drawing over 650,000 visitors annually according to Tourism Ottawa figures.
This year’s theme, “Cultivating Friendship,” honors the 79-year relationship between Canada and the Netherlands. Beyond the breathtaking floral displays, attendees can enjoy cultural performances, art installations, and culinary experiences highlighting both Canadian and Dutch traditions.
City officials have been working closely with festival organizers to ensure smooth operations. “We’ve coordinated with the NCC, local police, and transportation services to accommodate the increased traffic and pedestrian flow,” noted City Councillor Riley Brockington, whose ward includes Commissioners Park. “We want everyone to enjoy this Ottawa tradition safely.”
For those planning to attend, public transportation is highly recommended. OC Transpo will be increasing service frequency to Dow’s Lake during the festival weekends, and additional bicycle parking has been installed throughout the area.
Local businesses are also preparing for the influx of visitors. Glebe BIA director Sarah Williams expects the economic impact to be substantial. “The Tulip Festival is one of our biggest tourism drivers of the spring season,” she said. “Restaurants, shops, and accommodations throughout the central neighborhoods all benefit from these ten days of celebration.”
The weather forecast for Saturday’s opening looks promising, with Environment Canada predicting sunny skies and temperatures around 18°C – perfect conditions for both the aerial display and tulip viewing.
As someone who has covered this festival for over a decade, I can attest to how it transforms our city each spring. There’s something uniquely Ottawa about bundling up (sometimes still necessary in May) and wandering among thousands of tulips while military jets thunder overhead – a perfect encapsulation of our capital’s blend of natural beauty, cultural significance, and national pride.
For those unable to attend the flyover in person, local television stations will be broadcasting the event live, and the festival’s social media channels will share footage throughout the weekend.
The Canadian Tulip Festival runs May 10-20 at Commissioners Park and various locations throughout Ottawa. Admission to the main tulip displays remains free, though some special events and guided tours require tickets.
