Festivity

A European style Christmas market has been a tradition at Lansdowne Park for several years. In late November, the lighting of the big Christmas tree in front of the Pavilion, along with the opening of the market, drew a big crowd. I took this shot from the arena at one of the gate staircases.

Out on the east side of the building, an ice sculpture was found. These were small- the size one could do in an hour or so- and changed each weekend.

I attended the market several times, and there are still dates after Christmas, before they wrap up entirely on New Year's Eve. The tree is simply decorated, but lit well.

The vendors are a mix of food and gifts, housed in chalets, as is done in European Christmas markets. This event really draws in visitors.

One of the vendors specializes in novelty socks. I have several pairs.

I will likely go at least once more before it's all done. I have a particular appreciation for one vendor that sells both strudel and perogies. 

There is also a vendor here that sells Beavertails- the local pastry that is fried and covered in a variety of toppings. They're really, really good. No, you have to get your own. I'm not sharing.

Here is the east side of the Pavilion. More vendors are found here.

Back I went into the main section of the event.

The vendor at left is Thor's Trinkets. She makes beer mugs, glasses, and other items with a pop culture influence, and I've bought a number of items from her down through the years, either here or at Comiccon. The same applied this year.

Lastly, taken two days ago. I paid a visit to the Canadian Museum of History over in Gatineau. This is their Christmas tree.

Market

 The main farmers market in Ottawa is held through the year at Lansdowne Park, and during the cold weather inside the Aberdeen Pavilion on the property. This is a late 19th-century exhibition hall, the last of its kind on the continent. During the weeks running up to Christmas, the market goes from just Sundays to being here on both weekend days. And this time of year, it can be counted on to be exceedingly busy.

Visitors often have dogs with them.

There are gift ideas in addition to the regular farmer's vendors. With the exception of one farmer, who comes from the Niagara area, farmers here are from the area, and must grow their own product. A better thing than to have re-sellers.

I come regularly- there's a lady here who makes the best jam, and I get my cider from an apple grower. 

The dogs drew my eye. Both real.

And not so real- this one appropriately for a vendor whose product is dog treats.

This wee one had their eye on someone else.

The architecture is appealing, and full of history. This building has housed Stanley Cup games over a century ago. During the season, the arches are laced with green Christmas colours.

This is the view from the west side, with the big Christmas tree out front. A parallel Christmas market, in the European tradition, is held out in the square on the north side, and we'll look at that tomorrow.

On the east side, an ice sculpture. We'll get a look at another one tomorrow.

I finish with a shot of a miniature collie. I have a great affection for collies- one of the dogs we had growing up was a regular sized collie.

Noel

 Continuing on. One night this month I went out for a long walk to get in a lot of Christmas shots, and overdid it, twisting my ankle late in the walk. But before I did that, I came through a series of courtyards in the Byward Market, where Christmas lights could be seen wound around trees.

Another courtyard, with a mix of modern and 19th century architecture. Note the sculpture to the right.

This is Dancing Bear, a 1999 work by Inuit artist Pauta Saila. It has been awhile since I've featured it.

At the south end of the Market neighbourhood, outside the main market building, a big Christmas tree was lit up.

Nearby, the Rideau Centre mall makes use of big snow ornaments as their primary decoration.

They also have a large tree.

Another day, passing through a downtown office tower, I took photographs of their Christmas decorations.

The next office tower to the east is the World Exchange Plaza. Coming in one side, I photographed these trees.

Inside, a smaller tree caught my eye for this decoration.

The columns inside all have these hanging.

And this is at the far side of the complex.

Yule

 Christmas is coming, and for the next few days we'll have Christmas in the blog. I do this for my readers, and not for myself. This is a difficult time of year for me that brings out a depression- what I call my black wall- that doesn't lift until after December 27th or so. I've had it going on for weeks, and it's guaranteed each year. Anyway, these first shots are taken around the Glebe neighbourhood.

I took this one close to home- this angel is inside a florist's shop.

Another day, I passed through the Delta hotel lobby, where they had decorations out.

On another evening, I was passing by the World Exchange Plaza, where I took this shot.

Across the street, more Christmas lights. A careful eye might pick up the statue of the First Nations hunter at street level.

I came by the War Museum one day earlier this month for lunch, and took a photo of the Christmas tree in the lobby.