• Over 50 Heritage Boats on Display on water and on land
• Dowsett Punt Building Demonstrations
• Guided Voyageur Canoe Tours on the Rideau by Reservation
• Guided Pontoon Boat Tours by Brown's Marina in celebration of thier 50th anniversary!
• Information Showcases and Exhibit by Heritage House Museum 
• Interpretive Talks by Authors and Storytellers
• Documentary Film Screenings with Filmmaker Allison Margot Smith 
• Celebrate Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill 1855-1935, Founder and First Admiral of the Canadian Navy
• Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. the Three Sisters Market at Hanna Park
• Old Fashioned Dressing event on Sunday at Mill Bay Court
• Live music by Ron Steeves
• Recording Oral Histories at the Storytelling Booth by the Rideau Lakes Public Library 

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 and Exhibit at the Municipal Park, 14 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 tours on Rideau Lake

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

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 the Portland Harbour (15B Water Street, Portland ON)

11:00 a.m. – Dowsett Punt Building 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
• 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

1:00 p.m.

• Talket Group by Tett descendant John Gray on Steamers, Barges and Ship Building 
• Themed activities for children in partnership with the Rideau Lakes Public Library, near the Playground at 14 Water Street

2:00 p.m.

• Film Screening of the Rideau Canal Documentary, "Two Wars Three Watersheds a Slew of Surveys and a Canal" by filmmaker Allison Margot Smith at the Portland Community Hall
• Book Signing with Karen Wands, author of "Canadian Boat Building" (to be confirmed)
 

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 and Exhibits at the Municipal Park, 14 Water Street

All Day - SUP Paddleboards, Kayaks, Canoes, Pedalboats and Jet skis available at Rideau Classics Rental - 29 Water Street

10:00 a.m. – Voyageur Canoe Experience - 30 minute guided tours on Rideau Lake

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

12:00 p.m. – View Interpretive Displays, Exhibits on the Rideau Canal by Heritage House Museum and visit Local Restaurants

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
• Documentary Screening "Vacations in 19th- and 20th-Century Portland and the Rideau Lakes" by filmmaker Allison Margot Smith 
• Book Signing, "Canadian Boat Building" with author Karen Wands  (to be confirmed)
• Also – Themed activities for children during Talket sessions

2:00 p.m. – Closing Ceremony Flotilla to circle Grindstone Island in honour of Admiral Kingsmill, led by Commodore Brian Preston

Make a Day of It