River Heritage Festival

Join us for the River Heritage Festival!

Explore interactive displays, participate in a range of activities designed for everyone, and discover the rich history of the Grand River and its tributaries at the River Heritage Festival.

The River Heritage Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 at Brant Conservation Area, in Brantford Ontario.
Note, the guided 16-kilometre bike ride begins at 9:30 a.m.

The festival is free to attend and entrance into Brant Conservation Area will be free during the event.

The festival celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Grand River and its major tributaries – the Conestogo, Eramosa, Nith and Speed rivers - being designated Canadian Heritage Rivers. The designation recognizes the cultural and natural heritage and recreational opportunities along the rivers.

Anyone who has ever been curious about recreational activities available on the water or the cultural significance of the Grand River and its tributaries should attend the event, which also falls on the internationally-celebrated World Rivers Day. Registration is not required.

Demonstrations and activities

Try paddling with Grand River Rafting, go on a guided bike ride with the Grand Watershed Trails Network starting at 9:30 a.m., participate in an interpretive hike with Growe Outdoor School, participate in creative expression with The Voice of the River. Learn about Indigenous heritage and teachings with Two Row on the Grand, the Ohneganos water research project, and others. Children can enjoy a Water Cycles Adventure led by Water Cycles Expeditions, a river bug station with Trout Unlimited Canada, and face painting. 

Exhibitors

A chance for close-up encounters with birds from Wild Ontario. Other exhibitors include Brant Waterways Foundation, Brant Historical Society, Grand Valley Trails Association, Haldimand County, Fire Hall Museum, Waterloo Region Museums and the GRCA.