The Township of Rideau Lakes is seeking a Town Crier. This is a volunteer position with potential stipends for performing at Township Events.

Who and What is a Town Crier? A Town Crier acts as a public announcer, ambassador and goodwill representative for the municipality. Modern responsibilities include opening community events, reading official proclamations, enhancing tourism, dressing in traditional 18th century attire and fostering civic pride.

If you are interested you should have a loud voice, an excellent command of the English language, be flexible with your schedule, be willing and able to dress in appropriate traditional attire provided by you and prepare a “cry” for an audition to be judged at the annual Civic Day Picnic held in Portland on Monday, August 3, 2026 at Hanna Park.

The auditions will begin at 12:30pm.

For the audition the Town Crier will perform a “cry” of not more than 100 words, depicting the community picnic event being held, the beauty of Rideau Lakes, the joy of socializing and/or any other topic within the realms of the day’s celebration.

This event is sponsored by the Portland Community Enhancement Committee. All persons interested should contact the Township’s Community and Volunteer Coordinator Leila Stafford by email at or by phoning 613-928-2251 ext. 238 no later than July 17th, 2026.