(Pembroke) - The 2011 Rural Ramble in the Ottawa Valley is in full swing. There are two theme weekends left in the month long festival and still plenty of opportunities to participate in this beloved Valley tradition.

Organized by the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA), the Rural Ramble is a free, self-guided driving tour set against a backdrop of beautiful fall colours. September 24th and 25th is the History & Heritage weekend. Ramblers are invited to learn from storytellers dedicated to preserving our rich past. Some of the things Ramblers can see and do on this weekend include:

• Participate in a smudging ceremony and paint pictographs at the Algonquin Way Cultural Centre
• Enjoy “Steam Engine Corn on the Cob” at Renfrew’s McDougall Mill Museum
• Go frog chasing and judge scarecrows at Killaloe-Hagarty-Richard’s Heritage & Ecology Society
• See blacksmith demonstrations at the Arnprior & District Museum
• Visit a working art exhibit set in a 1929 Heritage Building with Art on the Beach
• Go behind closed doors of 10 of Pembroke’s most interesting heritage buildings with Doors Open
• Discover the story behind Canada’s only Feudal Lord at Waba Cottage Museum & Gardens

October 1st and 2nd wrap up the Rural Ramble with the Arts & Culture Weekend. This weekend provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate Ottawa Valley’s vibrant arts communities. The Rural Ramble has once again paired up with the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, which is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year.

In addition to taking in the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, Rural Ramblers can:

• Learn about Kashubian Embroidery at the Wilno Heritage Society
• View nuno-felting demonstrations and meet friendly alpacas at Ballintotas Alpacas
• Participate in Eganville’s exciting new Youth Arts Festival
• Immerse yourself in Celtic culture at Kippen Road Tartan Weaving
• Participate in a community art project at the South of 60 Arts Centre
• Browse the unique artwork of over 40 local artists at Valley Artisans’ Co-op
• Visit RriJoice Tie-Dyes at the Bonnechere Caves and create your own tie-dye t-shirt
• Have fun with “Geology Poetry Rocks!” – a poetry workshop led by Literacy Plus and held at the Bonnechere Caves. Ramblers are then invited to read their work at an evening of poetry hosted by Frisco’s Restaurant.

The Rural Ramble is free to the public, however fees may apply for certain activities (refer to the official event guide for further details). A distribution list of where Rural Ramble event guides can be picked up is available on the Rural Ramble Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ruralramble.

New this year are the Rural Ramble Passports. They are included in the event guides and Ramblers’ are encouraged to fill out the passport with a signature from a staff or volunteer at each site they visit. Completed passports can be dropped off at the last site visited each weekend and they will be entered into a draw for a prize pack featuring unique gifts from participating Rural Ramble sites and valued at over $500.

Special thank you to this year’s sponsors: myFM Radio, The Renfrew Mercury, The Arnprior Chronicle, The Eganville Leader, Best Western Renfrew, The Whitewater Cobden Sun, Penny’s Fudge Factory, MacDonald Fuels, M&R Feeds in Renfrew, Ottawa Valley Living Magazine, KI Pembroke and AECL.

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