As if there weren’t enough reasons to visit Merrickville, the first Merrickville Festival of the Arts happens on Saturday, August 28th, and Sunday August 29th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate summer by enjoying diverse art activities in various village locations. More than 25 MAG artists will display their paintings, pottery, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry, and other unique art in tents at two locations in the village.

Theatre Night in Merrickville performers in costume for The Rideau Cafe.

In the afternoons, Theatre Night in Merrickville will present two vignettes from the historical musical ”The Rideau Cafe”, as well as two other short plays, “Alexa the Liar” and “Chin Up” by the Ottawa-based playwright Guy Newsham. The plays will take place outdoors at the Lions Pavilion in the Parks Canada Blockhouse Park.

Merrickville’s own Rogue Poets will be on hand throughout the weekend reading some of their works. Local musicians will also be performing during the Festival, including an acoustic set by the Merrickville Book Emporium’s Michael Phillips at 4:30 pm on Saturday, August 28th.