Portland to host inaugural Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival
The Township of Rideau Lakes has received a $10,000 provincial grant to celebrate the upcoming anniversary of the Rideau Canal, beginning with the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival in Portland on July 18 and 19.
The Experience Ontario Program selected the township’s proposal through its Capacity Building Stream to support the new festival. The announcement follows funding announced by Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark on April 28.
The Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival 1826–2026 marks the beginning of a series of annual events leading up to the 200th anniversary of the Rideau Canal in 2032. This year’s event will feature antique boats, boat-building demonstrations, guided tours, exhibits and presentations by authors and storytellers.
The festival will take place on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in Portland. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Council plans to commemorate each of the next seven years with events along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors are invited to explore Rideau Lakes’ boat-building heritage through activities at the municipal harbour, Hanna Park, the beach and the Portland Community Hall, all located on Water Street.
The province’s $10,000 investment will support the community-led festival celebrating the waterfront lifestyle and nautical history of communities along the Rideau Canal.
Organizers say more than 75 partners are involved in the event. The Rideau Lakes Nautical Heritage Group, a subsidiary of the Portland on the Rideau Historical Society, is leading the festival with support from volunteers and members of the local boating community.
“We welcome people to discover our rich history and our beautiful waterfront at the height of the season and come back to explore our historic villages year-round,” Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said.
Rideau Lakes is home to 37 lakes and six lock stations along the Rideau Canal: Chaffeys Lock, Davis Lock, Jones Falls, Narrows Lock, Newboro Lock and Poonamalie Lock.
Organizers say the festival is intended to showcase the township’s natural beauty, historical significance and business community while encouraging visitors to support local restaurants, markets, marinas, watercraft rental businesses and other local merchants.
More information is available at rideaulakes.ca/festival2026.
SOURCE: Township of Rideau Lakes.
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