Chances are, you’ve never been to a Bicycle Ball (neither have we … but don’t tell anyone!). So you may not know what to expect. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions you might have. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for reach out and ask us so we can add to the list!
Why is the event called The Bicycle Ball?
At EnviroCentre we love bicycles. They are a cheap and environmentally friendly way to get around the city. They also help to connect communities, because when you cycle somewhere you get to really know the roads, neighbourhoods, and people who live in them. We’re well known for our work promoting commuter cycling through Bike to Work Month, so much so that this year the City of Ottawa awarded us the Bruce Timmermans cycling award. So, when we were thinking of what name to give our 20th Anniversary bash it wasn’t hard to come up with the idea of a bicycle-themed party.
But there is more. We believe it is really important that Ottawans recognize that single occupancy vehicle use is not sustainable. There are alternatives to driving and we would love it if people coming to the Bicycle Ball arrived by low-carbon transportation: on foot, by bicycle, by bus. Read our top tips on getting to the Bicycle Ball here.
Do I have to have a bicycle to come to the Ball?
No! You don’t have to own or ride a bicycle to come to the Bicycle Ball. But we do encourage you to make sustainable choices when getting ready for the ball. You can read our tips on dressing for a Bicycle Ball here. And our tips on getting to the Bicycle Ball here.
What will happen at the Bicycle Ball?
The Bicycle Ball is our way of celebrating 20 years of EnviroCentre. We wanted to throw a sustainable party in style and also make it fun. Because who ever liked a boring party?
You can expect a fast-paced event. Every 15 minutes for the duration of the Bicycle Ball there will be a different live act. We are excited to be working with more than 10 local artists and performers to bring this event to life.
Streetdancing by Moov Ottawa – Swingdancing by Side Street Swing – DJ set by JFUN – Stilwalking and mime act by Andrée Rainville – Swingin’ tunes by the John Avondale Orchestra – Indigenous Storytelling by Monique Manatch – Historical Storytelling by Randy Boswell – Spoken Word Poetry by Apollo the Child – Live Painting & Visioning by Eve Blouin & Corinne Blouin.
There is more! We will be offering two complimentary drinks and plant-based apps by Thyme & Again, who will also be onsite with a cash bar.
We will be unveiling a poster sale of original art. And there will be a expo of vintage bikes by Retro Rides and the Museum of Science and Technology.
By coming to the Bicycle Ball you will not only be having a good time and supporting the local arts scene but also supporting EnviroCentre by helping to raise funds for the Ottawa Sustainability Fund.
Why is the ticket price set at $75?
An event of this size is an expensive business! The ticket price helps cover some of the running costs which include paying all the artists and suppliers, renting the location, getting the word out, etc. For those who can’t (or don’t want) to pay the full price we have made a limited number of community tickets available at a reduced cost ($25), these are available at check out and we have a no questions asked policy. These will be available until they are sold out.
In what way is this a sustainable event?
Our organization’s mission is to help people, communities, and businesses find practical ways to reduce their environmental impact.
With the Bicycle Ball we want to demonstrate that it is possible to host a large, fancy event with all the bells and whistles in a way that is also environmentally sustainable.
That means ensuring that we produce as little waste and as few emissions as possible. It means choosing suppliers who share our values and opting for plant-based foods and locally sourced ingredients. It also means encouraging attendees to keep sustainability in mind when choosing what to wear at the event and how to get to the event.
Finally, we will be tracking the Bicycle Ball’s environmental footprint, partly for accountability, partly so we can do even better next year!
I’d love to get involved in this event – what opportunities are there?
Great! There are many ways to get involved, like:
- Helping us spread the word – tell your family, friends, and co-workers about it. And share the event on social media!
- Becoming a sponsor – there are sponsorship options for all pocket sizes, discover them here.
- Want to do more? Get in touch!
How do I buy a ticket?
We are selling tickets through Eventbrite. You can buy your ticket here.
What’s with the cute dog in the picture?
Nothing, we just really like dogs!