Ottawa Filipino food and music festival postponed

A Filipino flag waves in the air during a vigil on Parliament Hill for the victims of an attack that killed 11 people at a Vancouver Filipino heritage festival on Saturday, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 28, 2025. Photo by Chris Tanouye /The Canadian PressArticle content

Organizers have announced the postponement of a two-day Fun Philippines Ottawa Food and Music Street Festival that had been scheduled for the Parliament Hill district later this month.

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“With deep regret and heavy hearts, the organizing team of Fun Philippines Ottawa announces the postponement of the Fun Philippines Ottawa Food and Music Street Festival,” the group said in a message on its website.

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The first such festival had been scheduled for May 17-18 on Wellington Street between Elgin and Kent streets.

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Organizers said the decision to postpone the event involved a wide analysis of factors.

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“While the Ottawa police did not directly request a postponement, we were actively in contact with city officials, including By-Law Services and the Mayor’s office, regarding safety and logistics,” said Jerica Gelle Mariano, public relations director at Kultura at Musika ng Pilipino sa Canada (KaMPi-Ca), one of the organizing groups.

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“There was also discussion about doubling security at the event in light of what had happened in Vancouver,” she said.

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Many community members, elders, and partners also indicated that proceeding with the Ottawa festival so soon after such the Vancouver tragedy did not feel appropriate.

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“This is a tight-knit community, and the emotional impact was deeply felt,” Mariano said.

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Marian said organizers based their decision to postpone the event on two main factors:

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1. The emotional well-being of our community, which is still mourning; and2. Logistical challenges, including late-stage bylaw changes that affected our ability to secure power access for vendors and finalize an enhanced safety plan.Article content

The postponement allowed organizers to proceed with “greater care,” intentionality, and coordination, “ensuring the safety and spirit of the festival is fully preserved when the time is right.”

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The group said that vendors and partners would receive full refunds.

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“We remain committed to delivering a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture in the future, one that is safe, meaningful, and peacefully enjoyable,” the group posted.

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