Residents, boaters, history enthusiasts and visitors from across the region are expected to gather in Portland this weekend as the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Rideau Canal.
The community-focused festival will showcase the rich maritime history of the Rideau Lakes while offering a full weekend of heritage displays, classic boats, educational presentations and family-friendly activities.
Events will be centred around Hanna Park, Gallagher Park and Portland’s waterfront, with organizers creating opportunities for visitors to explore the area’s historic connection to the Rideau Canal and the waterways that have shaped the community for generations.
Antique and classic boats will be featured both on the water and on display, while historians and guest speakers will share stories about the canal’s history, local boatbuilding traditions and the region’s nautical heritage.
Festival organizer Brian Preston said the event is designed to bring history to life for residents and visitors of all ages.
One of the festival’s signature events will be a ceremony honouring Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill, recognized as the father of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Preston will portray Kingsmill in full period dress during the raising of the White Naval Ensign, the first official flag of the Royal Canadian Navy adopted in 1910.
The ceremony will be followed by a naval sail-past and salute in Portland Bay, with participating vessels proceeding in formation before taking part in a flotilla around Grindstone Island, which once served as Kingsmill’s summer home.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view historic boatbuilding tools from the 1800s and early 1900s, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship that helped establish the Rideau Lakes as a well-known centre for wooden boat construction.
The festival will feature a Three Sisters Market showcasing Indigenous crafts and products, Voyageur canoe tours, and guided pontoon boat rides provided by Brown’s Marina as part of the marina’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Preston said preserving and sharing local history remains a key goal of the festival and the Portland on the Rideau Historical Society.
Organizers expect a strong turnout and say the Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival will offer something for everyone, combining history, community pride and waterfront traditions as the region celebrates one of Canada’s most significant waterways and its 200-year legacy.
