Toronto 
Ontario is home to plenty of festivals and unique races.
Credit: Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race
If you want to experience a fun festival combined with a crazy watercraft race, get to Port Hope, just outside of GTA, this Saturday.
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race is a commemorative festival that celebrates the grit and enduring spirit of Port Hope after the devastating flood of 1980.
You can dress in crazy costumes or get a crazy craft (there are regular races, too), and challenge yourselves to paddle a rigorous 10-kilometre down the mighty Ganaraska River.
It is a fun family event, and there are various activities for spectators, too.
In addition to watching all those brave individuals battling a very cold river in crazy rafts, there is an outdoor festival village called Fannyville, which will feature various food, drink and merchant vendors, on-stage entertainment, and children’s activities complete with jumping castles.
Port Hope also boasts plenty of other adventure activities to add to your trip:
- Treetop Trekking’s adventure course
- a goat farm with Nigerian Dwarf goats
- a unique store featuring unusual antiques and handcrafted items called Primitive Design
- plenty of conservation areas, including the Ganarska Forest for hiking and, of course
- a vibrant downtown with great food and shops
If you like informative walks, explore the town on a historic walk.
Plan to revisit Port Hope during late spring and summer to enjoy the 1.5 km lavender labyrinth of Laveanne Lavender Fields and during the salmon migration in the fall.
If you like fun, water-based events, add duck races in Stayner and Welland Floatfest to your calendar.
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny – 2026
What: Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is a signature celebration in the Municipality of Port Hope – one that honours the community coming together after the devastating flood of 1980. Participants are challenged in a rigorous 10-kilometre race down the mighty Ganaraska River. At the finish line, “Fannyville”, the outdoor event village, is set up to host various food, drink and merchant vendors, on-stage entertainment, children’s activities, and a live commentary of the race results, culminating in an award presentation for the race finalists.
When: Saturday, April 11, 20265 | 10 AM to 3 PM
Start Times
10:00AM – Canoes & Kayaks Start – Canton Bridge
11:00AM – Crazy Craft – Sylvan Glen Conservation Area
Fannyville Finish Area (Downtown Port Hope)
10:00AM – Riverside activities and vendors open
11:00AM – First Canoe & Kayak Finishers
12:15PM – First Crazy Craft Finish
1:00PM – Canoe & Kayak Awards (North-west of Bridge)
2:00PM – Crazy Craft Awards (North-west of Bridge)
3:00PM – Event Finishes
Where: Port Hope, Ontario
Free shuttles for participants and spectators, leaving from the far west end of the Jack Burger Sports Complex Car Park.
How Much: Free to watch and Fannyville
Participate: $10 to $40 (you may register onsite)
