WEEK AHEAD
SUNDAY
The Perth Fair is putting a twist on traditional events with a cowboy obstacle course and zucchini race, along with the usual midway rides, livestock and craft shows, from 9 a.m., 50 Arthur St. Admission: $10; children $2. www.perthfair.com
It’s the last week to see the free, bilingual Northern Lights sound and light show projected on to Parliament Hill, 9 p.m. nightly, ending Sept. 12. canada.pch.gc.ca Tickets are going quickly for the Ottawa Gee-Gee’s football team take on the Queen’s Gaels at the season opener, 4 p.m., Gee-Gee’s Field, 200 Lees Ave. Tickets: $8/ students, $18.
MONDAY
All are welcome at the annual Labour Day Parade, beginning at noon at the corner of Elgin Street and Lisgar Avenue, ending at McNabb Park for a picnic and family fun.
Delve into your future at the Psychic Mystic and Seers Fair’s last day at the Nepean Sportsplex, where 22 clairvoyants will offer their services, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $10.
Lift-off is at 6:30 a.m. at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon festival today, with activities for the whole family, culminating in another lift-off at 6 p.m. and musical performances into the night, Parc de la Baie. Tickets: $24, passports: $55-$100. www. montgolfieresgatineau.com
TUESDAY
Stephen Harper, the man, will be the topic as Globe and Mail’s John Ibbitson talks about his biography of the federal Conservative leader, 7 p.m., Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St. Tickets: $10-$15. www. writersfestival.org
Celebrity gardener Ed Lawrence will speak about proper pruning techniques and answer questions at West Carleton Garden Club event, 7 p.m., Carp Agricultural Hall, Carp Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Rd., Carp. Guests welcome: $10. wcgc.ca
WEDNESDAY
See the one-night-only performance of Calgary Fringe “Best in Fest” winner Sansei the Storyteller by Mark Ikeda, who uses humour, theatre and dance to explore the story of Japanese Canadians’ internment during the Second World War, 8 p.m., Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave. Tickets: $10-$12. artscourt.ca Master food preserver Terri O’Neill will teach how to can tomatoes, 6 to 8 p.m., Beaver Barracks, 464 Metcalfe St. Cost: Free, but register at communitygardening@justfood.ca.
THURSDAY
Swiss folk metal group Eluveitie, who won an award as best live act in Switzerland, play the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave. at 8 p.m. Tickets: $29.50. spectrasonic. com
Chomp down on barbecue season
at the Kanata Ribfest and Corn Roast, with six ribbers from the U.S. and Canada and craft beer, until Sept. 13 at the Walter Baker Park. Admission: Free. www.yowfestivals.com The four-day Russell Fair has fun for the whole family, from the flying trapeze show to animal-related events, truck and tractors pulls, midway rides, magician and even raptor presentation, 1076 Concession St. Tickets: $10, $5/children, free for children under 7. www.russellfair.com
FRIDAY
The Spencerville Fair celebrates its 160th birthday with fireworks tonight, a performance by Canadian rock band April Wine and agricultural fair events and midway rides, 22 Ryan St., Spencerville. Tickets: $10, weekend passes: $28. Fair on until Sept. 13. spencervillefair.ca
SATURDAY
Bacon palooza has food trucks, bacon products, demos from chefs Michael Blackie, Lynn Crawford and more, with evening music by Drew Nelson and Monkey-Junk, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Tickets: $20/day, $25/evening. baconpalooza.ca Submit event information to kendemann@ottawacitizen.com, by 8 a.m. Monday, two weeks before the event. Photos are welcome.