Join us for this free, multi-day public celebration marking the 200 years since the beginning of construction of the Rideau Canal. The national significance and UNESCO World Heritage designation of the Rideau Canal offers the perfect setting for this uniquely immersive experience that blends heritage interpretation, live demonstrations, water-based activities and community storytelling that highlight the Canal’s role in shaping Canada’s early development.

At the municipal harbour, adjacent park, beach and community hall, there will be activities from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including displays of over 50 antique and heritage boats on water and on land, boat building demonstrations, guided Voyageur Canoe Tours on Big Rideau Lake, plus guided pontoon Boat Tours by Brown's Marina in celebration of their 50th anniversary! Plus an information showcase, interpretive talks by authors and storytellers. Also, on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. until noon, the Three Sisters Market will be happening at beautiful Hanna Park.

Over 75 partners along the Rideau Canal are joining to celebrate 200 years since the beginning of its construction from 1826 to 1832. Rideau Lakes is collaborating with Portland on the Rideau Historical Society's Nautical Heritage Group and others to mark the upcoming anniversary, starting with a festival this summer. “A Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival 1826-2026” will take place in the waterfront village of Portland on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday July 19, 2026. Volunteers are gearing up to host a goal of 5,000 visitors over two days. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at Portland Harbour (15B Water Street, Portland ON). 

• Opening Ceremonies with M.P. P. Steve Clark & Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, the Honourable Bob Rae on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Hanna Park (27 Water Street )
• Flag Pole Dedication Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hanna Park (27 Water Street )
• Flotilla to Grindstone Island, Kingsmill’s Summer Residence, on Sunday at 3 p.m. from the Portland Harbour (15B Water Street, Portland ON)

A Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival 1826-2026

Event Schedule 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Saturday, July 18, 2026

All day – Heritage, Antique and Classic Boat Display featuring Dowsett Boats at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

All Day - Information Showcases at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

All Day - Rideau Canal Exhibit by Heritage House Museum including Colonel By's Uniform, early surviving equipment and Indigenous artifacts on display at the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street

All Day - SUP Paddleboards, Kayaks, Canoes, Pedalboats and Jet ski rentals at Rideau Classics Rental - 29 Water Street (Rates listed below) 

All Day - Voyageur Canoe Experience - 30 minute guided canoe tours on Rideau Lake

All Day - Guided Pontoon Boat Tours by Brown's Marina in celebration of their 50th anniversary 

All Day - Recording Oral Histories at the Storytelling Booth by the Rideau Lakes Public Library 

All Day - Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours (brochures available)

9:00 a.m. until 12:00 pm  – Three Sisters Market at Hanna Park, 27 Water Street

10:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies with M.P.P. Steve Clark and Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Honourable Bob Rae on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Hanna Park (27 Water Street, Portland ON)

11:00 a.m. – Dowsett Punt Building Techniques and Tools - Demonstration by Iain McAleese and Paul Groenewoud at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

12:00 p.m.

• View Interpretive Displays at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street and at the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street
• Lunch at local restaurants 
  • Portland Family Restaurant at 38 Colborne St, Portland, ON
  • Portside Pub and Eatery at 2786 ON-15, Portland ON
  • The Galley Restaurant on Big Rideau Lake 11 Water St, Portland, ON
  • Recess Cafe at 2761 ON-15, Portland, ON
• Picnic areas at Municipal Park, 14 Water Street and Hanna Park, 27 Water Street

1:00 p.m.

• Talket Group by Tett descendant John Gray on Steamers, Barges and Ship Building 
• Themed activities for children including a puzzle station and storytime in partnership with the Rideau Lakes Public Library, taking place near the Playground at 14 Water Street
• Rideau Lakes Public Library Portland Branch opens from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

• Film Screening of the Rideau Canal Documentary, "Two Wars Three Watersheds a Slew of Surveys and a Canal" introduced by filmmaker Allison Margot Smith at the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street

• Book Signing with Karen Wands, author of "Canadian Boat Building" at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

Sunday, July 19, 2026

All day – Antique Small Boat Display featuring small vessels, fishing boats and canoes at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

All Day - Information Showcases at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street and the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street

All Day - SUP Paddleboards, Kayaks, Canoes, Pedalboats and Jet skis rentals at Rideau Classics Rental - 29 Water Street (rates listed below)

All Day - Voyageur Canoe Experience - 30 minute guided tours on Rideau Lake

All Day - Guided Pontoon Boat Tours by Brown's Marina in celebration of their 50th anniversary 

All Day - Recording Oral Histories at the Storytelling Booth by the Rideau Lakes Public Library 

All Day - Themed activities for children including a puzzle station and storytime in partnership with the Rideau Lakes Public Library, taking place near the Playground at 14 Water Street

All Day - Old Fashioned Dressing event at Mill Bay Court on Sunday from 10am to 3pm

10:00 a.m. - Live Music by Ron Steeves at Hanna Park, 27 Water Street

11:00 a.m. – Dowsett Punt Building Techniques and Tools - Demonstration by Iain McAleese and Paul Groenewoud at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

12:00 p.m.

• View Interpretive Displays and at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street
• Exhibit on the Rideau Canal by Heritage House Museum including Colonel By's Uniform, early surviving equipment and Indigenous artifacts on display at the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street
• Lunch at local restaurants 
  • Portland Family Restaurant at 38 Colborne St, Portland, ON
  • Portside Pub and Eatery at 2786 ON-15, Portland ON
  • The Galley Restaurant on Big Rideau Lake 11 Water St, Portland, ON
  • Recess Cafe at 2761 ON-15, Portland, ON
• Picnic areas at Municipal Park, 14 Water Street and Hanna Park, 27 Water Street

1:00 p.m. 

• Flag Pole Dedication Ceremony at Hanna Park in honour of Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill 1855-1935, Founder and First Admiral of the Canadian Navy

2:00 p.m.

• Documentary Screening "Vacations in 19th- and 20th-Century Portland and the Rideau Lakes" introduced by filmmaker Allison Margot Smith 
• Book Signing, "Canadian Boat Building" with author Karen Wands  

3:00 p.m. – Closing Ceremony Flotilla to circle Grindstone Island in honour of Admiral Kingsmill, led by Commodore Brian Preston

Make a Day of It