Friends of Murphys Point Park

Pancake Breakfast and Canoe Raffle on Sunday, Sept. 2!

Don’t miss your chance to fill up on scrumptious pancakes and get a ticket for the Friends of Murphys Point’s annual fundraising canoe raffle!

This Sunday, Sept. 2 the Friends will host a pancake breakfast at Hogg Bay Beach from 10 a.m. to noon. as part of the Heritage Mica Festival. This is the last chance to get a ticket for our annual canoe raffle, as the draw will take place at the beach at noon!

You could win a Trailhead Prospector Canoe (16 feet, 68 lbs., fibreglass) that comes with ash web seats, a flat ash yoke and vinyl gunnels. Our thanks to Ottawa Paddle Shack for providing the canoe at cost and to Canadian Tire in Perth for the donation of the two PFDs and two paddles that go with it. The whole package is worth about $1,500 and proceeds support our programs.

Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and are available at the Park Store and the Gatehouse. They will also be on sale at the beach during the pancake breakfast.

Hope to see you there – and good luck!

Last year’s winner was Craig Halpenny of Perth!

Programs this week Aug. 22 – 29

PROGRAMS THIS WEEK

Wednesday,

August 22

10 a.m. Silver Queen Mine Hike

*See here for description.*

LIMITED CAPACITY – PRE-REGISTER AT THE GATEHOUSE.

8 p.m. Nature Show

“Animal Ambassadors”

If it weren’t for the rocks in the ground, life wouldn’t be what it is here at Murphys! Alida and Ian will take you on a virtual tour of the geology, lakes, creeks, wetlands and forests of the Frontenac Arch while four animals campaign for the title of “Animal Ambassador” at the Amphitheatre.

Thursday,

August 23

11 a.m. Kids Program

“Exploding Eggs and Stinky Slime”

Mushrooms are pretty strange to look at. Look closer and you might see them dissolve, puff smoke or crawl with flies! Alida and Monique show you some fascinating fungi and their spore-spreading tactics, at the Main Beach.

Friday,

August 24

Spirit Walk to the Silver Queen Mine

7 p.m. AND 9 p.m.

Our most popular event of the season! Let the friendly spirits of miners and farmers past guide you along the trail and into the Silver Queen Mine. This theatrical performance is fun for the whole family. Pre-registration required. Register at the gatehouse and pay $2/person at the door or buy your tickets in advance at the Visitor Centre. LIMITED CAPACITY.

Saturday,

August 25

11 a.m. Kids Program

“It’s a Hard-Shelled Life”

Snapping, Painted, Musk, Map and Blanding’s: Murphys Point is home to five species of turtle. Four of them are considered species at risk. Why are turtles having such a hard time? Meet Brock and Monique at the Main Beach for this fun and interactive program for supervised kids 7-12 (35-45 min. long).

1 p.m.

Voyageur Canoe Tour

Get your tickets for this 1 – 1 ½ hour paddle on Hogg Bay in a 34-foot, 18-seater, replica voyageur canoe, lead by Park Interpreters and guides from the Rideau Roundtable. Limited tickets are available ($3 each, family of 4 for $10) first come-first served. Canoes depart from the Main Beach.

8 p.m. Nature Show

“Species at Risk”

Special guest speaker (and former park naturalist) Tim Wood brings his traveling slide talk and sidekick live Ratsnake for this 45-minute show at the Amphitheatre.

Sunday, August 26

10 a.m.

Silver Queen Mine Hike

*See here for description.*

LIMITED CAPACITY – PRE-REGISTER AT THE GATEHOUSE.

12:30 – 2 p.m. Drop-in Prop Talk

“Skin & Bones”

The park is home to many fascinating mammals. Drop by the Park Store to see Alida, a mammal herself, and her supply of pelts and skulls and stories of Murphys’ Mammals.

Monday, August 27

11 a.m. – Noon Drop-in Prop Talk

“The Aliens Amongst Us”

What beastly animals and out-of-control plants are taking over our ecosystems as we know them? Stop by the Park Store sometime between 11 a.m. – noon to chat with Brock (who is neither a beast nor an alien), and to meet his special Crayfish friend, ‘Pinchy’ (who is probably a bit of both).

Tuesday, August 28

10 a.m.

Silver Queen Mine Hike *See here for description.*

LIMITED CAPACITY – PRE-REGISTER AT THE GATEHOUSE.

Wednesday, August 29

8 p.m. Nature Show

“Mad About Mushrooms”

They’re not plants and they’re not animals either. They’re FUNGI and their biodiversity is astounding! Join Alida at the Amphitheatre to find out why mushrooms are vital to our environment. Vote on your favourite fungal fruiting body and dare to be Mad About Mushrooms!

SILVER QUEEN MINE HIKES

Silver Queen Mine

: Meet at the Lally Homestead parking lot for this 1 – 1 ½ hour guided tour down the trail and into an abandoned mica mine. Hardhats supplied! LIMITED CAPACITY – PRE-REGISTER AT THE GATEHOUSE.