Events

September 30

$25 per car

Returning to its original one-day format, our annual Car Rally is back and better than ever! During this fun family event, support the Port Dover Harbour Museum while cruising Norfolk’s scenic country roads. Drivers, navigators and friends will travel on a secret route, while answering questions about what they see along the way.

*New for 2023: Our Car Rally starts at the Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum.

11:00am – Registration Cut off

11:30am – Mandatory Driver/Navigator Orientation

Advanced registration details and links for online registration and payment will be included here in summer 2023, so please check back later.

JUNE 10 & 14  1:00-3:00pm

Last year, PDHM welcomed local fisherman and Captain of the LEONARD S, Rick Misner, into our museum for an informal chat and Q & A period about his experiences in the commercial fishing industry – daily life on the lake, how the industry and technology has changed over the years, his advocacy work on behalf of all Canadian fishermen, etc. The event was such a success, we’ve decided to do it twice more this summer!

Join us on June 10th & 14th anytime between 1:00-3:00pm for a DROP IN chat with Rick. Bring your questions and don’t be afraid to join the conversation!

Admission by donation.

This year’s famous haunted walks are on the road with a special trip to historic Vittoria. Join us for guided tours through the village to hear the deathly tales of local lore that have emerged from the quaint homes and gentle fields of the area.

Tours run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with full details on the web.

Tickets: $25. Pre-registration required – a rain or shine event.

Saturday, July 22, 2023 6:30pm-8:00pm

This summer, Jubilee Brass returns to Riverfront Park (beside the museum)!  Jubilee Brass is a Salvation Army brass band comprised of Christian Salvationist musicians whose purpose is to present entertaining and spiritually challenging music.

Admission to this event is by donation. 

Please bring your own chair.

Saturday, June 10, July 8 & August 12, 2023 – 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Calling all treasurer hunters! Start your Saturday morning thrifting at WHAM with this old-fashioned English styled flea market. Vendors selling antiques, collectibles and gently used wares will be setup on the museum grounds between 8 and 12pm. Admission is free. Cancelled if raining.

Be a vendor! Load up your car and sell your junque from the trunk at the Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum’s CAR BOOT SALES. This old-fashioned, English styled flea market will be running on the East parking lot of the museum the 2nd Saturday of June, July and August – 8am to 12pm.

VENUE: Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum (159 Nichol Street, Waterford) East Parking Lot.

WHEN: Saturday, June 10, July 8th and August 12th. Sale Runs: 8am-12pm (vendors to arrive between 7:00am-7:30am).

VENDOR FEE: $20 each sale day – book one approximate 10’ by 10’ space or more (cash payments only, pay upon entry)

PLEASE NOTE: This car boot sale is for individuals selling their new, used and ancient items, home-made arts/crafts and related wares. This is not an event for commercial retailers. Please read full terms and conditions on vendor application form.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: Event cancelled if weather conditions are unfavourable. Cancellation notices will be posted on museum social media.

BOOK IN ADVANCE: Those who wish to book a 10’ by 10’ space(s) must do so at least 3 day in advance of sale dates by completing and submitting the vendor application form.

June 24th 11:00am-2:30pm

Event generously sponsored by The Arbor.

Calling all dashing Dachshunds! Bring your four-legged best friend and join us in Riverfront Park for the first annual Arbor Dog Races! Weenies will race to claim the prize of fastest hot dog around. Are your dogs a little taller? Don’t worry, we’ll have a Heinz 57 race for everyone else. Enter our Costume contest and parade your pup to the pier!

There will be vendors and an awards ceremony for our winning pooches.

Costume contest: $2/dog. Dog races: $5/dog.

11am: Costume Contest on the ALMIDART Dock – open to all breeds

11:30: Costume Parade down to the Pier!

12:15: Dachshund Arbor Dog Race- first heat

1:15: Heinz 57 Race- all breeds welcome

2:00: Awards Ceremony

Register in advance by emailing portdover.museum@norfolkcounty.ca (registration not required but appreciated).

Do you make or sell puppy related items? Email portdover.museum@norfolkcounty.ca to become an event vendor ($10 per table).

Date TBD  10:00am – 4:00pm

Admission & participation by donation.

Though we don’t know the specifics of the Port Dover Board of Trade’s incredible 2023 Christmasfest quite yet (the 2022 event has only just finished!), you can count on the Port Dover Harbour Museum to have a scavenger hunt, colouring pages, and a special holiday-themed craft or activity ready for kids ages 4-10 after the parade.

Books in our gift shop will be 50% off the lowest marked prices. There will also be a selection of new items in the shop perfect for holiday gift-giving and stuffing those stockings.

October 21

$5.65 per child

Calling all witches and wizards, ghosts and goblins – this one’s for the kids! Paint your own pie pumpkin, take part in a Costume Parade around Riverfront Park (weather dependent), and then get your groove on in a museum dance party.

Don’t forget to grab your treat bag!

Participants must be between the ages 3-10 years old.

Pre-registration required.

Schedule of Events

11:00 Painting Program #1

12:00 Costumed Parade and Dance Party and (included participants from both programs, time to change out of/into your costume included)

1:00 Painting Program #2

November 2023 – Details to be Confirmed

Kick off your holiday shopping by visiting Bowlby Bros. & Co., the museum’s famous gift shop. Featuring home and garden products, unique seasonal ornaments and fabulous stocking stuffers. The museum will operate with special evening hours to join other vendors in conduction with the Waterford Chamber of Commerce for a night of holiday splendor.

Sunday, September 10 – 2: 00p.m.

The Norfolk County Agricultural Hall of Fame at WHAM honours and celebrates Norfolk County’s outstanding contributions to agriculture and promotes the importance of these achievements. Join us as we formally recognize the 2016 recipients and unveil the new exhibit highlighting their outstanding accomplishments.

*Anyone can nominate candidates for induction; contact the museum for details.

October 26, 27 & 30 8:00-9:00pm

$25 per person

Join Inspector John Wilson Murray, the Great Canadian 19th century detective, on a guided moonlight stroll to hear true stories of dark secrets, dastardly deeds, and deathly tales set against the backdrop of Norfolk County’s quaint lakeside town of Port Dover. Moonlight and Mayhem will run 1 tour nightly October 26, 27 & 30.

Tours will start PROMPTLY at 8:00 p.m. so please arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Please note: This event will happen rain or shine, so dress appropriately! Each tour route is approximately 1-1.5 kilometres of walking (some uphill or on uneven ground), so wear comfortable shoes.

Join the Capital Marine Modellers’ Guild in Riverfront Park

Saturday June 10 2023  

Stay tuned for more details!