Military family business owners set to host events at annual fall Ramble

The beauty of fall and its unique traditions will come to life in Petawawa as it hosts its first Petawawa Ramble.

“It is important for the municipality to develop a tourism destination event that will draw people to our community, showcase our merchants, and what Petawawa has to offer. To show that we are a forward-thinking community and design ideas that think outside the box,” said military spouse Ann McIntyre, president of Petawawa Heritage Society and a founding partner of the Petawawa Ramble.

Being led by local businesses, many with ties to the military community, the event aims to grow the community and tourism to the area.

An exciting part of the Petawawa Ramble is the Petawawa Pumpkin People Festival. The Petawawa Pumpkin People Festival will allow local businesses to feature unique pumpkin people displays.

Nestled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park, the town will completely transform into a place “where people can take a picture with the pumpkin people or enjoy looking at a display that would be indicative of that person’s business,” according to Val Hyska, a military spouse, owner of Hyska’s Independent Grocer and a founding partner of the Petawawa Rumble.

Throughout the weekend of Oct. 19, townspeople and visitors can enjoy various fall activities set up at three different locations.

The weekend will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 17 with an escape room event hosted by Heritage Village.

The Heritage Village will feature interactive displays and activities, pumpkin products, a pumpkin carving contest, a bake sale everything pumpkin, food samples, and musical entertainment.

On Saturday evening Looking Glass Toys and Games will animate the game Werewolves in the Village for a fun evening for adults. Participants can also enjoy a meal with J&E Bored N’Saucy at the General Store.

The second location hosting Petawawa Rumble activities is Hyska’s Independent Grocer. The Husk’s Harvest Hoopla will feature a pig roast, live music, a petting zoo, tractor rides, harvest games, butter making, cider tasting, and a pumpkin pie contest.

Lastly, townspeople can enjoy fall outdoors at both the Algonquin Trail and Centennial Park.

On Saturday the local bike shop, Gearheads will arrange organized bike rides at the Algonquin Trail.

Then on Sunday Centennial Park will feature live music and a street market with samples and products from local vendors. Make sure to drop by the Canadian Military Family Magazine booth for a personalized souvenir.

The hope is that with a successful event this year, packed with so many events, the Petawawa Ramble will continue to grow and can eventually become a week-long event for everyone in the region to enjoy.

“We’re a beautiful place in Ontario. Petawawa has some of the most beautiful waterfronts and walking paths and lots of great things to see that sometimes people forget about. So, giving them a reason to come perhaps day and night in our town and enjoy a festival like this at a time where Petawawa is at its peak beauty in the fall, we think can just be a win for everybody,” said Hyska.

To purchase tickets for the escape room, Werewolves in the Village, or dinner, click here visit the Escape the Village website.