Ottawa ice cream lovers and Tragically Hip fans, your summer just got a whole lot more Canadian. Kawartha Dairy — the beloved Ontario creamery that's been a staple in Ottawa freezers for decades — has announced a partnership with The Tragically Hip to create a new limited-edition flavour celebrating one of the country's most iconic rock bands.
Two Ontario Icons, One Scoop
The collaboration brings together two institutions that Ontarians hold close to their hearts. Kawartha Dairy has been making rich, creamy ice cream with real Ontario dairy since 1937, while The Tragically Hip spent decades writing the unofficial soundtrack to Canadian summers. Pairing them together feels less like a marketing move and more like a cultural inevitability.
While the full flavour details haven't been revealed yet, the partnership promises something bold, nostalgic, and unmistakably Canadian — the kind of thing you'd crack open on a dock somewhere in cottage country, or more likely, on a patio along the Rideau Canal.
Ottawa's Connection to Kawartha (and the Hip)
For Ottawa residents, Kawartha Dairy is a familiar face. The brand's tubs line the freezer aisles at Metros, Loblaws, and independent grocers across the city, and a summer without a Kawartha scoop feels incomplete. Their classic flavours — from Moose Tracks to Tiger Tail — have been a rite of passage for generations of Ottawa families.
The Tragically Hip connection hits differently here too. The Kingston-born band may have called southeastern Ontario home, but their music resonates deeply with Ottawa. Songs like Bobcaygeon, Ahead by a Century, and Wheat Kings feel tailor-made for Ontario summers — the kind of tracks that soundtrack long drives down the 417 or evenings at Lansdowne.
And yes — Bobcaygeon. The same small Ontario town immortalized in one of the Hip's most beloved songs is also home to one of Kawartha Dairy's most famous locations. That's not a coincidence; that's Canadian poetry.
Honouring Gord Downie's Legacy
This collab takes on added weight given the ongoing celebration of frontman Gord Downie's legacy since his passing in 2017. For many Canadians, the Hip isn't just a band — they're a memory, a feeling, a piece of national identity. A Kawartha ice cream flavour in their name feels like a quiet, delicious tribute.
Where to Find It in Ottawa
The Hip-branded ice cream is expected to hit Kawartha Dairy parlours and grocery store shelves this season. Ottawa shoppers should be able to find it at major supermarkets once the launch rolls out. Follow Kawartha Dairy on social media for the official flavour reveal and availability dates.
If there was ever a reason to host a backyard gathering or head to a local park this summer, an ice cream that tastes like Canada itself might just be it.
Source: Global News Ottawa
