OTTAWA: The YowFest multicultural music festival at Lansdowne Park has been canceled after reports of gunshots in the vicinity prompted a police response and raised safety concerns. The two-day event was called off by organizers after the incident, which occurred on the first night of the festival.
The Ottawa Police Service confirmed they responded to reports of gunshots in the area around 4:20 p.m. on Friday. While no injuries were reported, police later confirmed that evidence of shots being fired was found. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
The festival organizers initially announced a delay for the first day, but later decided to cancel the entire event, including Saturday’s programming. In a statement, they cited public safety as their top priority and expressed their disappointment, noting the festival was meant to be a “celebration of community and togetherness.” Organizers are working with the city on site dismantling and will provide updates on ticket refunds.
