Ganny Weekend

Crazy craft on the Ganaraksa River with Ganny Weekend logo

Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is back! This event is a local tradition that celebrates the undeniable resiliency of the Port Hope community.

Float Your Fanny returns April 8, 2023

Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny returns to the banks of the Ganaraska River. This celebration of community is a wild and wacky salute to spring. Visit the official event website to find out more about this long-standing Port Hope tradition.

Float your Fanny website

Crazy crafts in the river

Ready to Race? Register today!

There are three official categories: canoe, kayak race and crazy craft. Canoes and kayaks travel 16km, while crazy crafts venture 10km to the finish. All participants are reminded to carefully review registration information to prepare accordingly for the smooth launch of your vessel and safe voyage on the fast and chilly waters of the Ganaraska.

Registration details here

More Ganny Weekend fun

There is much to do throughout Port Hope on Ganny Weekend. Check out shop windows for displays and restaurants for special menus. Find out more about the history of flooding in Port Hope. Get crafty with friends and family to build crazy crafts. Explore the outdoors and downtown by participating in the scavenger hunt - details below!

Ganny Weekend wordmark with river and crazy craft participants in the background

Flood Frenzy Scavenger Hunt

Roam and discover the floodplain. Choose your own adventure with clues from the fish ladder, along the river and into the downtown. Participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt with the following clues and prompts and enjoy exploring Port Hope.

Self-guided scavenger hunt missions

1. Corbett's Dam
During the fish migration, fish fight their way upstream to arrive at the fish sanctuary where they spawn, ending their life cycle. Find the ladder at Corbett's Dam where they leap through to complete their journey!

2. Inaugural Flood
The infamous Float Your Fanny was inspired by a flood from the Ganaraska River that ravaged the town. What was the year of the historic flood?

3. Something Fishy?
There are many species of fish that swim through the Ganaraska River throughout the year. What is one type of fish that you might find here?

4. Chinook Salmon
Artist Mique Michelle painted a mural of a Chinook Salmon along the west riverbank wall at Cavan Street – can you find this colour piece of public art?

5. Heavy Metal
There are various welded metal sculptures along the Ganaraska River – how many of these pieces can you find?

7. Theme Song
Float Your Fanny has it's own theme song! Do you know who sang it?
Accepted Answers

8. Railway Antiquity
Can you spot the abandoned train bridge footings along the Ganaraska River?

9. Walking Bridge
Take a stroll across the Barrett Street walking bridge and enjoy the view of the Ganaraska River.

10. The Finish Line
Make your way to the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny Race finish line and congratulate a brave participant!

11. Active living along the river.
Can you find the fitness loop exercise stations along the Ganaraksa River Walk?

12. Crazy Craft Race
How long is the Float Your Fanny River Race, from the Crazy Craft launch location (in km)?

13. Best Cup in Town
Get yourself a hot (or cold) beverage from your favourite Port Hope business and send us a pic!

14. Fanny Fare
Stop into your favourite Port Hope business and wish them a happy Ganny Weekend!

15. DIY Raft Craft
Find items around the home and/or backyard to build a crazy raft craft (a miniature crazy craft). Test them out to see if they float. Snap a photo and post to social media using the hashtag #porthopefloats

16. River Homage
Find a business that celebrates the River in their business name.

17. Flooded by memories
Ganny Weekend is all about celebrating and building community. Find a person who can remember the great flood of 1980 in Port Hope or a Float Your Fanny event of past. Ask them about their memories and invite them to share a story with you.

Crazy Craft Challenge

Find items around your home and in your backyard to build your own crazy raft craft. Pint-sized craft session for the whole family.
Test them out to see if they float! Snap a picture of your craft and post to social media #porthopefloats
Bonus points: if you build to scale and participate in the 2023 race!

History of the 1980 Great Flood

Get up to speed on all the details from the flood of 1980. This in-depth research provided by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority will answer all your questions! Fast fact, the peak flow of the river during the time of flooding was 425 cubic metres per second. That is 10 Olympic-size swimming pools!