Upcoming events
For The Birds Festival
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Ruthven Park with our annual “For the Birds Festival”! Learn the basics of identifying birds in the field and become a certified citizen scientist. Experience science in action through bird banding demonstrations and get up close and personal with migration.
Activities include:
Raptor Shows with Wild Ontario
Rooftop Birdwatching from the Thompson Mansion *Sold Separately (SPACES LIMITED!)
Special Presentations featuring Bob Bell “Out of the Lyme Light and Into the Sunlight”, Michael Berry “Ecological Stewardship of Ruthven Park”, Charlie-Bee Honey “Beekeeping with Charlie-Bee Honey”
Food available on site by Shelly’s Family Dining
Kids Activities
Vendors
Bird Banding Demonstrations
Birdwatching Hikes
Hummingbird Banding Station
All ages are welcome!
“THE GRAND ENTRANCE” Debutantes and Courtship of the nineteenth century Exhibit Launch Event
“THE GRAND ENTRANCE” Debutantes and Courtship of the nineteenth century
Exhibit Launch Event
Sunday, June 23rd 2024
2pm - 4pm
$35
Glamourous house parties, exquisite dresses, lively music and available suitors. Enter the world of what it meant for young ladies to celebrate coming out into society through this special event and exhibit launch at Ruthven Park! The event will begin with a special presentation by our Site Administrator Brittany Van Dalen, discussing the history of debutante parties and courtship of the nineteenth century. Afterwards guests will take a self guided tour of the main level of the historic mansion and enjoy the new exhibit held in the double drawing room. The event will conclude in the historic Coach House for Cream Tea which includes scones, jam, cream and selection of tea options.
Tickets Available Now!
Winter Bird Count
Join Ruthven Park for our annual Winter Bird Count! As part of our ongoing citizen science efforts at the site join staff members to count the birds that are overwintering in the park.
Conduct your count on your own anytime from January 3-6 or join us in-person on Saturday January 6, 2024 for guided bird counts and drop-in bird banding demonstrations! See the instructions below to submit your count ahead of time and download the checklist!
We cannot wait to see you!
Instructions to submit your count ahead of time!
Insects of the Night
INSECTS OF THE NIGHT
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH 2023
8PM - 9PM
ADMISSION BY DONATION
On October 28th join us as we journey through the intricate and remarkable world of bugs that thrive at Ruthven Park! It will be a night of exploration, discovery, and fun for all ages! Light refreshments will be offered.
Cars in the park
Ruthven Park’s 24th Annual Cars in the Park
Monday, October 9th 2023
Admission $10 per car.
Dash Plaques for First 100 Cars, Food Truck, Door Prizes, Historic House Tours, Cemetery Tours & Children’s Activities
Celtic Festival
CELTIC FESTIVAL
Saturday, September 9th 2023
(Rain date Sunday, September 10th)
11AM - 5PM
Celebrate all things Scottish and Irish at this new fun and experiential event! The Celtic Festival will consist of live musical performances from the Swallowtail Sisters and Caledonia and District Pipes and Drums band, Fish Fry by the Canboro Firefighters, Beer Gardens with Charlotteville Brewing Company, historic demonstrations with the Grand River Spinners and Weavers Guild, children's “Wee Bairns Play Area”, talks about Scottish and Irish culture, tours of Indiana cemetery, Army of King James Jacobite Reenactment Camp, vendor market, highland dancing with Sandra Bald Jones Studio of Highland Dancing, historic mansion tours and more!
Labour Day Weekend Treasure Hunt
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Join us for an exciting parkwide treasure hunt this Labour Day weekend! Explore our beautiful park as you search for hidden clues and complete challenges along the way. With puzzles, riddles, and obstacles to overcome, this is a great opportunity to test your problem-solving skills and discover new parts of the park. And the best part? There are prizes to be won!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Terrific Turtles
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Turtle lovers unite! Stop by Ruthven Park this week to learn all about the terrific turtles that live in our community. Visit our Welcome Centre to view our turtle models and create your own colourful turtle! Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about these amazing creatures. Don't miss this opportunity to show off your creativity and learn about the turtles that call our park home.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Flutterby Fun
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Visit Ruthven Park this week for an enchanting adventure into the world of butterflies! Our "Flutterby Fun" drop-in activity is perfect for all ages and is a great opportunity to explore the beautiful creatures that flutter around our park. During the activity, you'll learn about the life cycle of butterflies, their habitats, and how they contribute to our ecosystem. You'll also get the chance to see these colorful insects up close, and even interact with them if you're lucky!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Ruthven in wonderland
Saturday, August 19th 2023
Alice in Wonderland meets Steampunk in this unique event. Enjoy live performances, craft show, food, musical entertainment, and more.
For more information click below!
Dog Days Of Summer
Weekly Drop-in Activity
It's the dog days of summer, and what better way to celebrate than with our furry friends! Join us at Ruthven Park this week for our drop-in activities dedicated to our four-legged companions. We'll have crafts, treats, and oppertunities for you to explore our beautiful park with your furry companion(s) by your side.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Bugging Out
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Are you ready to discover the incredible world of bugs? Stop by our Welcome Centre and pick up a bug exploration kit to kick off your adventure! Our kit includes everything you need to start exploring, including a bug catching net, magnifying glass, and field guide to help you identify the bugs you find. Whether you're a seasoned bug enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is the perfect activity for you!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
A Grand Experience
Weekly Drop-in Activity
A fascinating exploration of the Grand River and its impact on Ruthven Park! Our drop-in activity this week will take you through the decades of history that have shaped this beautiful park. Discover how the river has influenced the land, wildlife, and people who have called Ruthven Park home.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Nature Impressions
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Join us for a fun and creative activity this week - Nature Impressions! Using natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and twigs, we will make unique and beautiful clay prints that capture the beauty of nature. Get your hands dirty and create your own stunning piece of art while learning more about the amazing plants and flowers that surround us. All materials will be provided. Don't miss this chance to unleash your inner artist and connect with nature in a unique way!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Slithering Snakes
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Slither on over to our park this week to learn all about the amazing world of snakes! Get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures and discover their unique features, behaviours, and habitats.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Winding Trails
Weekly Drop-in Activity
This week, unleash your creativity by decorating your own walking stick, then take it for a spin as you venture out to traverse the scenic trails of Ruthven Park!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Captured Moments
Weekly Drop-in Activity
The Thompson family, like many families today, cherished photography as a means of capturing special moments - from formal occasions to casual, everyday events. Come and explore some of their most treasured photographs and journey back in time with our drop-in activity this week.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Busy As A Beaver
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Canada Day? Join us for this week's drop-in activity and learn all about our beloved national animal - the beaver! Visit the welcome centre to discover fascinating facts about this incredible rodent, explore the riverbank to spot signs of their busy work, and even make your own adorable beaver to take home!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Hello Summer!
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Let's welcome the arrival of summer with a fun Summer Scavenger Hunt! Hunt down all the items on our list and you'll get rewarded with a delicious treat!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Art Park
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Grab some of our art supplies and allow the beauty of Ruthven Park's picturesque landscape to inspire your creativity! With plenty of natural beauty, from the stunning gardens to the rugged river, you'll have no shortage of inspiration.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Bird Bingo
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Attention bird watchers! Come join us for a fun-filled game of bird bingo! Head over to the Welcome Centre's front porch and pick up a bingo sheet and a pair of binoculars. Then, embark on a quest to spot as many feathered friends as you can! As you explore the park, keep an eye out for the different species of birds that call Ruthven Park home. Mark them off on your bingo sheet and see who can get bingo first! It's a great opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the amazing bird species in our community.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Follow The Tracks
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Test our your tracking skills with this week’s drop-in activity! Pick up a Follow The Tracks sheet at the front porch and see if you can find and identify the animal tracks hidden along our trails.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
May Flowers
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Spring has sprung at Ruthven Park! Join us this week for a drop-in activity that invites you to discover and appreciate the lovely May flowers that have followed all those April showers.
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Regal Revelry
Weekly Drop-in Activity
Come and celebrate with us at Ruthven Park as we mark the return of our drop-in activities and Victoria Day! Swing by our Welcome Centre's front porch to discover the fascinating history of Victoria Day and craft your very own handheld firework!
Suitable for all ages
Free to attend
Located: Front Porch Of Welcome Centre
Spring Fairy Quest
The mystical spring fairies of the Scottish Highlands have arrived at Ruthven Park! Along with bringing some early signs of spring with them they have also built some wee whimsical homes around our grounds and trails.
Can you find all 10 on your next visit?
Family Bonds Mansion Tours
Peek into the home and the lives of the family who called Ruthven Park home for nearly 150 years!
First floor house tours will run every half hour from 10:00 am till 12:30 p.m.
Tours are available by donation. Please pre-register for a specific tour time using the button below.
Activity available by donation!
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
Birds of a Feather
Learn all about the birds of Ruthven Park through our guided bird watching hikes and bird banding demonstrations taking place between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Activity available by donation!
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
Guided Hike: Natural Connections
Explore our grounds and create your own nature Mandela with our Natural Connections guided hike!
Please meet at the front porch of the Welcome Centre at 1:30pm.
Activity available by donation!
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
Guided Hike : Natural Connections
Explore our grounds and create your own nature Mandela with our Natural Connections guided hike!
Please meet at the front porch of the Welcome Centre at 10:00am.
Activity available by donation!
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
Drop-in Activity: Family Codes
Pick up a Family Code sheet on the front porch of our Welcome Centre and see how many of the hidden letters you can find around the site. Then using these letters decipher our secret message and return your completed Family Code sheet to a member of staff to receive a prize and be entered in our draw to win a Ruthven Park membership for your family!
Activity available by donation!
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
Great Backyard Bird Count!
Join Ruthven Park from anywhere to participate in the 2023 Great Backyard Bird Count! This count is a global effort contributing to gathering valuable bird sighting data from around the globe. Follow the instructions in the image below to conduct your count and join Ruthven Park's team this year!
Note: Your count does not have to occur on the property at Ruthven Park.
Family Games Night
What better way is there to spend a chilly February night with the family than playing games and enjoying a snack or two? Join us in our cozy Coach House on February 16th to do just that! Choose from our selection of board games and card games to play with your family, or come by yourself to make some new friends!
Admission by donation
We at Ruthven Park aim to make our site as accessible to all through no entry fees to our grounds and trails and free programming such as weekly drop-in activities , guided hikes, bird banding, and much more! All donations received this Family Day weekend will go towards helping us ensure that every family can enjoy all that Ruthven Park has to offer!
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