a peek inside the fishbowl

24 Jun, 2013

Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival in Almonte – a new patron AND a giveaway!

Posted by andrea tomkins in: Fishbowl patrons|Giveaways and product reviews

We have our winners! Thanks for your entries!

A couple weeks ago I wrote about our most recent visit to Almonte. To summarize: we really enjoyed ourselves. Almonte has all the elements of a great road trip: it’s close to Ottawa and there’s lots to see and do, good things to eat, coffee, interesting sights, great shopping, history… and more.

Today’s post explores the MORE part, because there is a very important thing about Almonte that I need to share with you. It’s the Puppet Epicentre of Canada (at least that’s how I frame it in my own mind) and once a year something very special happens there. That’s why I’m so thrilled to welcome a new patron to the Fishbowl today: the Puppet’s Up! International Puppet Festival. Puppets Up! is a two-day event devoted to the fun and art of puppetry.

Mark your calendars now folks! The 2013 edition will be taking place on August 10 & 11. If you are thinking about visiting Almonte, this is THE time to do it. Puppets Up! is one of Ottawa’s most beloved summer festivals. There’s something for everyone here, not just for kids, but for kids at heart too. (Like me!)

Puppets Up, Almonte Ontario-7

Puppets Up, Almonte Ontario (13 of 15)

Puppets Up, Almonte Ontario (3 of 6)

Puppets Up, Almonte Ontario-11

Have a quick peek at the Puppet’s Up! website for a few details about what’s being planned for this year. A detailed schedule will be uploaded soon, but you can be sure that there will be plenty to see and do and lots of great family fun.

And here’s more good news, I have passes to give away!

  • This giveaway is for TWO family passes and will be awarded to two different families. Each pass gives free admission for a family of four for both days of the 2013 festival.
  • This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
  • In order for your entry to qualify you must answer the following question in the comments below: have you ever been to Almonte? If so, tell us what you like to see and do there! If not, well, that’s ok! Just say so. :)
  • One entry per family please.
  • If you can’t post your comment here for whatever reason you can email it to me for posting. Send it to andrea at quietfish dot com … however I cannot be responsible if your entry is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.
  • Good karma goes to those who tweet or share this giveaway on Facebook. Do you know someone who would appreciate the chance to win? I bet you do. So please forward this info to them!
  • The winners will be mailed their passes by the good folks at Puppets Up!
  • I will choose the winners using Random.org at noon EST on Tuesday July 2, 2013.

That’s it! Over to you. And good luck!

And if you don’t win passes you can buy tickets online right here. And look for festival updates on Twitter @puppetsup and on Facebook!


50 Responses to "Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival in Almonte – a new patron AND a giveaway!"

1 | Danielle

June 24th, 2013 at 7:40 pm

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I’ve never been to Almonte… but I would love to go!

2 | Nikki

June 24th, 2013 at 8:05 pm

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Never been, but I have a wonderful friend who grew up there, so I know it has to be a great place. :)

3 | Lynn

June 24th, 2013 at 9:00 pm

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Embarrassed to say I’ve never been either. It’s strange, the more I do around this city, the more I find there’s things I’ve never even heard of before. Almonte day trip is going on the list – we actually have the Puppets Up festival on our list for this year, so passes would be lovely!

4 | Lida

June 25th, 2013 at 8:21 am

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My I laws live near Almonte so we’ve gone there a lot over the years. Just shopping down the main street and doing lunch when we go is a treat! Thanks for the opportunity to get to see the puppets as well!

5 | Patricia

June 25th, 2013 at 8:35 am

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We have been there many times, my sister in law lives there. We always enjoy the quiet town and the beautiful main street. There is a fantastic park near the curling club that is great for flying kites in the summer and sledding in the winter.

6 | Mel

June 25th, 2013 at 8:46 am

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I’ve never been to Almonte before but my husband took the kids to Puppets Up last year and they LOVED it. It’s on our calendar for this year, too. Free passes would be awesome! thanks for the chance!

7 | Carla

June 25th, 2013 at 11:20 am

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I am chagrined to say I have never been to Almonte. This should be remedied. It is close, really, and I keep hearing that it is a pretty neat little town. I have also heard lots about Puppets Up but we haven’t been. I think my kids are now at an age where they would enjoy it and I would love love to go, even more so with a free pass courtesy of the quietfish! thanks.

8 | Chantal

June 25th, 2013 at 11:25 am

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Interestingly I have been to the outskirts of Almonte (visiting relatives) but never in the heart. And I have a coworker who annually badgers me to attend the puppet festival and I have yet to do that as well :)

9 | Annick

June 25th, 2013 at 11:35 am

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I have been to Almost several times,I love the people of the town,very caring and welcoming,I love the Hub and every thing it stands for,I love your beaches and the cute shops downtown,great town!

10 | Annick

June 25th, 2013 at 11:37 am

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I have been to Almonte several times,I love the people of the town,very caring and welcomiI love the Hub and every thing it stands for,I love your beaches and the cute shops downtown,great town!

11 | Ann

June 25th, 2013 at 12:28 pm

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My Aunt and Uncle live in Almonte :) We love to visit them.

12 | Joy

June 25th, 2013 at 3:26 pm

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Have been to Almonte a couple of times – there is a cute little beach we like to visit for a dip. Have been to Puppets Up once too, a few years ago – the parade is so great! I would love to visit Almonte again soon – it is such a pretty little town!

13 | Brenda A

June 25th, 2013 at 6:02 pm

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This is the year that we will be going to the Puppets Up Fest in Almonte! We have not yet been but have it scheduled in. Passes to the weekend would be a super bonus! Can’t wait! Thanks!

14 | Martynn Crooy

June 25th, 2013 at 7:30 pm

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My sister and I first visited Almonte, along with her two kids, about 8 years ago…we came specifically for the Puppets UP! festival and loved it. Almonte is such a lovely small town, and being right on the Mississippi River, it has a cottage feel to it. You can find a small beach, awesome falls and enough cafes, restaurants, pubs, antique shops, gift shops to keep you going all weekend. A few years ago I fell in love with a local Almontian and now I live here. Puppets Up! is still one of my favourite time of year.

15 | Janna Colton

June 25th, 2013 at 8:38 pm

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We are dropping in this weekend – have never been but have always been busy on the weekend of the festival. This year we aren’t busy and we will be there!

16 | Anne Marie

June 25th, 2013 at 8:38 pm

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I’ve been to Almonte on several occasions. It’s a quick drive from Ottawa and a wonderful place to unwind on a Sunday afternoon. I love the layout of the town. The mainstreet is on a hill. I love visiting all the little shops, especially the bakeries. Love Puppets Up! too.

17 | Helene St André

June 25th, 2013 at 8:47 pm

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My sister listed above :) brought me to the Puppets festival! and we all love it ! Adults and kids !

18 | Nicola

June 25th, 2013 at 9:34 pm

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I hadn’t visited Almonte since I was a kid until the 2011 Puppets Up festival — and it was amazing. We’ll definitely be going back for the 2013 edition!

19 | Sandra Mahoney

June 25th, 2013 at 9:43 pm

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I have visited Almonte for Puppets Up! I liked the puppets and Bob’s Bakery.

20 | Colleen

June 25th, 2013 at 9:54 pm

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I grew up in Almonte! And my parents still live there, so we are often ‘home’ for visits. I’d love to win the family pass, but if I don’t, will probably end up getting one anyway. I’ve been going to Puppets Up since it started, and can’t wait to see some of my favourite puppeteers, old friends and new faces.

21 | Pam

June 25th, 2013 at 10:17 pm

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Equator coffee is good reason to visit Almonte, but my two girlfriends from high school are even better reasons to visit. Our family went to the Almonte Fair last years and our son went on his first ferris wheel ride. Good times are to be had in Almonte!

22 | Linda

June 25th, 2013 at 10:32 pm

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We have never been to Almonte but we are looking forward to this event. My 4 yr old is obsessed with puppets. Specifically, the Muppets and the Sesame Street gang. He is going to love this! We are very excited. The calendar is marked…in PEN! :)

23 | Jan

June 26th, 2013 at 12:54 am

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We visited last summer for a day trip and loved it!
We’d love to live there when we tear ourselves away from Westboro…

24 | Terri Mosley

June 26th, 2013 at 11:48 am

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Would love to win tickets, have never seen the Puppets Up .

25 | Sarah

June 26th, 2013 at 12:08 pm

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I’ve never been to Almonte, nor heard of the Puppets Up Festival till now. That said, I LOVE puppetry. I helped build them and directed a puppet play in university, so this sounds amazing!

26 | jen

June 26th, 2013 at 1:41 pm

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love Almonte. we went to this fabulous festival a few years back and would love to go again. especially now that both kids are super interested in puppetry in their own play. thank you for this giveaway!

27 | Heather

June 26th, 2013 at 2:24 pm

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Always wanted to go to puppets up!
A great way to carry on the summer festivals in and around ottawa. Been to almonte before my three kids and now just cannot quite remember it. Nice to go again. Thanks for the chance !

28 | Carolyn

June 26th, 2013 at 2:59 pm

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Have been to Almonte many times and have actually attended the Puppets Up! Festival once so far with 2 kids. They were pretty young so not sure how much they got out of it but OMG – my husband and I absolutely peed ourselves laughing at some of the hilarity that ensued and the amazing puppetry.

29 | Jennifer

June 26th, 2013 at 3:07 pm

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This looks like such an amazing festival! I can’t wait to take the kids to it! Thank you so much for writing about it!I haven’t been to Almonte in years!

30 | Heather R

June 26th, 2013 at 5:50 pm

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Yes, I’ve been to Almonte and I absolutely love visiting this quaint little town. I would love to take my kids to Puppets up!

31 | Debbie

June 26th, 2013 at 9:36 pm

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I have never been to Almonte, but the pictures look wonderful and a friend of mine is participating in the Puppets Ups! festival this year. What better time for two firsts, Almonte and the festival.

32 | Romina

June 27th, 2013 at 10:15 am

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I have never been to Almonte, but I hear its a great place to visit :)

33 | Natalie

June 27th, 2013 at 11:26 am

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Yes! We hit their Farmer’s Market one Saturday….do they still have it?

34 | Jacquie

June 28th, 2013 at 5:50 pm

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The last time we went was just after my sister had her first baby (now 2 months old!) and we celebrated by going to a lovely coffee shop on the main street. Would love to go back to see the Puppet Shows!

35 | John

June 29th, 2013 at 9:56 am

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Been to Almonte lots but would like to see the puppets

36 | Susan

June 29th, 2013 at 9:59 am

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My hometown! Would love to go back and see the puppets

37 | Vu

June 29th, 2013 at 10:04 am

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Was there for a Puppets Up! one year. Might go back again this year with the kids.

38 | Sasha

June 30th, 2013 at 7:08 am

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We love Almonte. My Momand I always go to Handmade Harvest. While there, I like to go to Doree’s Habit, and we both like going to Kentfield Kids, which is attached. Crush has neat things for the home, too. And there’s a few great little restaurants downtown. Hooray for supporting local businesses!

39 | Amy

July 1st, 2013 at 9:44 am

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I grew up going to Almonte, my Aunt and Uncle lived there and so did my grandparents for a few years. Driving to Almonte for lunch at the tea room, a walk down the main street and a trip to Pakenham for Scoops is one of our favourite days out.

40 | Bryan Murray

July 1st, 2013 at 9:46 am

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I’ve been to Almonte many times and I love the shops along the main street

41 | Allison Klus-Palermo

July 1st, 2013 at 9:47 am

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Have never been to Almonte & this would be a great introduction :-) Kiddos would love the puppets. Fingers crossed

42 | Alicia

July 1st, 2013 at 10:33 am

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I’ve only driven through Almonte on the way to the golf course! But we considered moving there. I love the small town feel. I’ve wanted to go to Puppets Up for the last 2 years – really hoping to make it this year!

43 | Natalie Cox

July 1st, 2013 at 3:48 pm

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I love Almonte! I went last Spring antiquing with a friend. Scored some nice fiesta ware and had a delicious crepe lunch. My kids would love the puppets. :)

44 | Ange

July 1st, 2013 at 7:42 pm

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I have never been to Almonte, despite how close it is. I need to rectify this!!

45 | Daphney

July 2nd, 2013 at 10:27 am

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We have yet to make it out to Almonte, must rectify that soon.

46 | Marielle

July 2nd, 2013 at 10:35 am

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We went to Almonte once last year and really enjoyed the walking path around the river. And the coffee. And ice cream.

47 | Martynn Crooy

July 2nd, 2013 at 11:39 am

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So excited…good luck to everyone who entered…especially to my sister! LOL

48 | andrea

July 2nd, 2013 at 12:04 pm

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Comments are officially closed to new entries. Stay tuned! I will be posting the winning names soon!

49 | andrea tomkins

July 2nd, 2013 at 2:50 pm

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We have winners!

First winner is commenter #12 – Joy – who writes: “Have been to Almonte a couple of times – there is a cute little beach we like to visit for a dip. Have been to Puppets Up once too, a few years ago – the parade is so great! I would love to visit Almonte again soon – it is such a pretty little town!”

The second winner is commenter #18 – Nicola – who writes: “I hadn’t visited Almonte since I was a kid until the 2011 Puppets Up festival — and it was amazing. We’ll definitely be going back for the 2013 edition!”

Congratulations! I’ll be sending a confirmation email ASAP. Thanks for your entries everyone! If you didn’t win passes don’t forget that you can buy tickets online. And look for festival updates on Twitter @puppetsup and on their Facebook page!

50 | Lisa Flewellyn

July 6th, 2013 at 2:49 pm

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Love Almonte for it’s architecture, Tin Barn Market, Baker Bob’s and the Almonte Fair! Beautiful town.

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The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

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