(Pembroke, ON) – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) is excited to announce the winner of the 2011 Rural Ramble Passport Draw and the winners of the first ever Rural Rambler’s Choice Awards.

This year’s Rural Ramble saw the introduction of two new features – the Rural Ramble Passport Draw and the Rural Rambler’s Choice Awards. Rural Ramblers’ were encouraged to fill out passports included in the event guide. Completed passports were entered into a draw for a prize pack featuring unique gifts from participating Rural Ramble sites and valued at over $500.

The winner of the first ever Rural Ramble Passport Contest is Hayley Cooper. Ms. Cooper is a student at Carleton University and she, along with three friends, visited four sites over the Agriculture & Food weekend. Upon learning she had won the passport draw, Ms. Cooper exclaimed “I'm delighted to receive this! The Rural Ramble was a fantastic experience!”

The passports also included a spot for Ramblers to vote for their favourite Rural Ramble site (one per theme weekend). The winners of the first ever Rural Rambler’s Choice Awards are:

Adventure & Exploration: Bonnechere Museum Fossil Hunt
Agriculture & Food: Opeongo Mountain Meadow Soap
History & Heritage: McDougall Mill Museum
Arts & Culture: Kippen Road Tartan Weaving

“All of the Rural Ramble sites deserve congratulations for putting on a great event, but the Rural Rambler’s Choice Awards winners merit special recognition. They went above and beyond and offered Ramblers educational and exceptionally entertaining experiences,” explains OVTA Communications Coordinator Lauren McIllfaterick.

The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association organizes the annual Rural Ramble. For more information on the event, including how to become an official Rural Ramble site, please visit ottawavalley.travel, facebook.com/ruralramble, or contact lmcillfaterick@countyofrenfrew.on.ca.

The OVTA is the official destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents more than 215 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and events, accommodation, dining and retail establishments, rafting companies and outfitters, artists and galleries, as well as media and industry suppliers.