As the spring approaches, so does the anticipation of festival season — and the 14th Annual Ottawa Grassroots Festival (OGF) kicks things off. There is a uniqueness to this folk music festival that truly adds to its charm. This non-profit organization is powered completely by a team of dedicated volunteers. OGF is indoors, protecting the event from any of Mother Nature’s April weather surprises.
Bob Nesbitt and dozens of volunteers founded The Ottawa Grassroots Festival in 2012. His vision is rooted in the mission statement —Cultivating Creativity and Celebrating Community. It thrives on being community-based and dedicated to cultivating creativity at a local level by delivering a vibrant annual festival of concerts, participatory workshops, and a silent auction.
Bob passed away in 2021. He loved the auction and recognized it as an important funding stream for the festival. The fact that the festival and the silent auction are celebrating their 14th edition is proof Bob was right!
Navigating through Covid with all its challenges, Ottawa Grassroots used the opportunity to transition the physical auction to an online format with positive results. The pivot resulted in broadening their audience and increasing their fundraising goals!
The majority of OGF volunteers work during the festival dates. However, the auction team volunteers begin months before, in late fall. Once the theme is set, the outreach focuses on businesses that best align with its pillars.
The 2026 Auction theme is Nourish — Explore — Escape. Canadians are having to prioritize their spending and stretch budgets more than ever, so there is something for every budget. There are items that help with purchasing groceries, freshly baked goods, healthy meals and restaurant dining experiences. You will find items that assist with daily travel needs and support exploring destinations near and far. Look for opportunities to enjoy live music performances, indoor and outdoor activities, and ways to escape on a staycation within the Ottawa area and beyond.
Businesses today are operating within very tight margins. When donations are confirmed, the auction team is extremely grateful for the support! And for this reason, the same business is not approached year after year, unless the owner wishes to be a multi-year donor.
When the wave to buy Canadian started in early 2025, the auction team began reaching out to business owners located in the beautiful towns surrounding the National Capital Region, knowing there are hidden gems waiting to be explored and to provide opportunities for folks to day trip or vacation there, enjoy a meal and shop. Supporting our wonderful Canadian owned and operated businesses has never been so important!
The success of the 2025 auction was rooted in the unique experiences and donations by business owners in Calabogie, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Newboro, Jones Falls, Seeley’s Bay, Almonte, Gatineau, Wakefield, Chelsea and near Mont Tremblant — proof that there is strong support for the arts in these communities.
The hope is to reach the fundraising goal of $7,000 in 2026. The money raised ensures the festival can continue to offer free programming, making it accessible to all. The Green Thumb Garden Centre (Ottawa) returns as the Auction Sponsor in 2026. Without the support of funders, donors and sponsors, smaller events like OGF would not be possible.
Outreach is expanding to include businesses in Merrickville, Oxford Mills, Perth, Smith Falls, Lyndhurst, Lanark County, Maxville, and Aylmer. Volunteers will often recommend a business for outreach and this year is no different. We follow those leads too. The auction go-live date is April 9. It closes on the last day of the festival. Items for the auction are accepted up to April 23, the opening night at OGF.
If you are interested in supporting the auction with a donation or experience, contact Grace Smith, Auction Lead, at auction@ottawagrassrootsfestival.com. She will love to hear from you! Sharing news regarding the auction and the festival is another way to help.
Ottawa Grassroots takes place from April 23–26 at The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, at 30 Cleary Avenue. Daytime performances and workshops are free; evening performances require tickets (less than $45 per person). A full festival 3-night pass is very affordable at $107. There is no admission fee for children under 15 when accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Headliners are The Bilingulish Boys, Alysha Brilla, Meredith Moon, Céleste Lévis, OK Naledi and Irish Millie. Find the full line-up at ottawagrassrootsfestival.com!