Since its inception in 2008, the Marmora and Area Canoe and Kayak Festival, MACKfest for short, has grown significantly in popularity and developed a reputation as one of the “must make” spring whitewater festivals in Ontario.

This three-day whitewater paddler get-together is hosted at the Marmora Curling Club by volunteers from one of the largest recreational paddling clubs in Ontario, the Kawartha Whitewater Paddlers (KWP) recreational paddling club.  

Paddlers come together during this weekend to celebrate the start of the paddling season, see old friends and meet new ones.   There are some amazing rivers in the area known as the "highway 7 Runs" as they intersect Highway 7, running between Peterborough and Ottawa. Paddlers organize their own river expeditions during the MACKfest weekend then spend the rest of the time enjoying the event festivities...and some people just come for the event festivities!

• The Upper and Lower Black

• Beaver

• Skootamatta,

• Salmon,

• Crowe and others typically only flow in early spring with the snow melt and seasonal rain.

They feature river runs from Class II-IV as well as a number of quality park and play spots.

This annual festival is a great way to kickstart your paddling season, dust off your winter cobwebs and meet new and old friends. Aside from exciting spring boating, the event promises amazing prizes from many sponsors and great live music, with proceeds going to local community organizations and river advocacy initiatives.  Organizers are looking forward to boaters gathering in Marmora once again to celebrate spring paddling in Ontario!

A Little MACKfest History:

MACKfest and WO Advocacy have negotiated with landowners over time to establish and maintain river access land-sharing agreements on a number of the Highway 7 runs. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the following landowners:

1. Beaver Creek put-in at the hydro cut: This land is owned by Dale Reynolds and family

2. Beaver Creek Bridge Drop rapid: The land river right is owned by Natalie Zanussi 

3. Beaver Creek Fidlar’s Take-out: The grassy meadow is owned by Brenda Gorham

4. Upper Black River - BBB Falls portage on river right: The land is owned by Jerry and Kim Brodey and family

5. Upper Black River Take-out in Queensborough: This land is owned by Elaine and Lud Kapusta and family

6. Crowe Bridge play waves: River right wave access is on land owned by Lucille and Joe Orlando 

7. Skootamatta River Take-out: The cottage and trail at the take-out is owned by Phil Kompass and family 

Event Date: April 17-19, 2026 

Location: Marmora Curling Club, 2 Crawford Dr, Marmora, Ontario

Camping:  PRE-ORDER HERE! 

• Adult 1 night - $20 

• Adult 2 nights - $30

• Youth  1 night - $10 (13 - 16 yrs, Free for children 12 years and under)

• Youth 2 nights - $15 (13 - 16 yrs, Free for children 12 years and under)

Meals: Pre-order deadline is Friday April 3, 2026 PRE-ORDER HERE! 

• Friday Meal - $28 - Shepard's pie, Caesar salad, Pecan bread pudding, Coffee/Tea 

• Friday Vegetarian Meal $22 - Vegetarian lasagna, Caesar salad, Pecan bread pudding, Coffee/Tea

• Saturday Meal - $30 - Pork schnitzel with mushroom gravy, Roasted potatoes, Caesar salad, and Assorted pies, Coffee/Tea

• Saturday Vegetarian Meal - $30 - Stuffed peppers with Roasted potatoes, Caesar salad, Assorted pie, Coffee/Tea

• Coffee and Tea Saturday/Sunday morning 7-10am: Curling Club will charge $1.50/mug

Shirts & Hats: Pre-order deadline is March 22, 2026 PRE-ORDER HERE! 

Grand Prize Raffle Tickets: $20 per ticket and sell a max of 100 for each prize.  PRE-ORDER HERE! 

• To be determined

MACKFEST 2026 Vendors: 

• Kayak Ontario - Grand Prize 

• Frontenac Outfitters - Kayak demos available

• Kayak Junky - Kayak demos available

• Level 6 - Drysuits and Skirt demos available

• Paddler Co-op - Thursday & Friday Creeking Clinic

• MKC - Madawaska Kanu Centre

• Wilderness Tours & Ottawa Kayak School

• Hastings Destination Trails Inc

Friday Schedule: 

• Creeking Clinic by Paddler Co-op 

  • Solo Canoe Creeking Clinic - Thursday, April 10th - $209 (Click here for more info and to sign up)

  • Kayak Creeking Clinic - Friday, April 11th - $209 (Click here for more info and to sign up)

  • People can also call Paddler Co-op at 613-758-2772 to book, and save money on the online booking fee!

  • Creeking Clinic description:"Creeking clinic on Beaver Creek is BACK! Tackle class III & IV rapids with expert coaching, guidance and safety support as you push the boundaries of your comfort zone and take your skills to the next level. NEW THIS YEAR, smaller group sizes of 8 participants will lead to more instructor time, on river time and set the stage for even more learning and development on this popular clinic"

• 12 noon - 5pm - Queensborough ‘Treats on the Black’ - bring cash for food

•  12pm - Curling Club will be open for  paddlers and vendors

• 4pm - 8pm - Registration desk open, pick up pre-purchased merch, meal tickets & raffle tickets

• 5pm - 12 midnight - Bar hours, Last call at 11pm

• Dinner hours: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Friday 

Saturday Schedule: 

• 7am - 10am - Curling Club open for warm-up, meet other paddlers and plan your day

• 12 noon - 5pm - Queensborough ‘Treats on the Black’ - bring cash for food

• Curling Club will be open to paddlers and vendors ALL DAY.

• 4pm - 1am - Bar hours, Last call at 12 midnight

• 5:30pm - 7:30pm - Dinner hours

• 7:30pm Fundraiser Raffle -  funds will be donated to local charity.  ( currently undecided.)

• 8:30pm - Live music by the Valley Cats

Sunday Schedule: 

• 7am - 12 noon - Curling Club open for warm-up, meet other paddlers...etc

• 12 noon - 5pm - Queensborough ‘Treats on the Black’ - bring cash for food

• 12 noon - Deadline for Campers to remove all tents, gear and vehicles from Fairground

• 1pm - Deadline for Vendors to be out of the Curling Club