Carp

Just west of Kanata is the friendly community of Carp — comprised of the “village,” as locals would call it, and the surrounding rural and agricultural areas including Hidden Lake, Green Meadows, Diamondview Estates. I love servicing clients in Carp because of its small village feel, superb location, and friendly, laid-back residents.

Carp’s very community-centric population means that despite it being more of a larger rural area, this Ottawa neighbourhood draws its residents together with some not-to-be-missed local attractions. The Carp Farmer’s Market is a Saturday meeting place for locals and visitors alike and the annual Carp Fair is something you won’t want to miss.

As expected in rural communities, there is a strong predominance of detached homes when it comes to local real estate. Many of these homes can be found in rural estate subdivisions. In the village proper, you’ll find townhomes and semis as well.

The Locals

Carp’s residents are known for being very friendly and welcoming. They are generally delighted to host visitors who come to see Carp’s local attractions and take part in the town’s events.

There is also a large seniors population in the Carp area who have long ties to the land and farming and who enjoy the slower pace of life in this Ottawa neighbourhood.

The Best Parts

One of Carp’s biggest attractions is certainly the Carp Farmer’s Market, which has drawn crowds from all over since it originated in 1990. The Carp Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday from April to October, except the weekend of the Carp Fair.

The annual Carp Fair is another huge draw, which takes place in September at the Carp Fairgrounds, where events including competitions, a midway, musical performances, art exhibits, antique shows, and other agricultural events take place. I’ll never forget my first trip to the Fair and how I marvelled at all of the categories for the baked goods competition; my favourite was “Best Pie Baked by a Man.”

If you’re a history lover, make sure to check out the Diefenbunker — a massive, four-storey underground bunker built to protect and house top government officials in the event of nuclear war. Now, the bunker is Canada’s cold war museum and is definitely worth a visit.

Carp Then

Carp originally coined its name from the Carp River, which runs through the small village. Carp has been most known for its deep agricultural roots, which date back to the 1800s.

In 1863, both the Carp Agricultural Society and the annual Carp Agricultural Fair had their first editions. Since then, the Carp Farmer’s Market has become the largest producers’ market in all of Eastern Ontario, and the Carp Fair consistently draws crowds from all over Ontario, Quebec, and the New England States.

Carp Now

Carp still has a firm appreciation for its agricultural roots but has also grown into a beautiful community for families and residents of all ages to live in. While still principally rural, there are some very pedestrian-friendly places in the village itself.