From fireworks over the Falls, to free concerts, parades, and a variety of food vendors, Niagara communities across the peninsula have a lot on offer this Canada Day. Photo credit: Niagara Falls Tourism
There’s plenty of things going on around the region this Canada Day long weekend. Below is a selection of some of the events taking place Saturday, July 1.
Niagara Falls
The City of Niagara Falls has plenty on offer for their Canada Day event.
At Firemen’s Park between 11:00am-4:00pm there will be live music and shows for all ages including children’s entertainment, inflatables, and face painting. The Kids Zone stage will feature entertainment such as a science show and an interactive story show with characters from Toy Story. The event will also have food vendors, which includes a beer tent, and free cupcakes.
A full list of musical performances, food vendors, and children’s entertainment can be found on the City of Niagara Falls website. Admission for the event is free.
The Niagara Falls History Museum will also be hosting a free event. The galleries will be open to the public with crafts and a scavenger hunt on offer. Animal Kingdom will also be holding three shows at the museum that are first come, first served. Show times are at 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm.
If the day proves to be a warm one, the following outdoor municipal pools will offer free open swimming: Prince Charles Park, FH Leslie, Buck Hinsperger, Niagara Falls Lions.
And, of course, a special Canada Day fireworks show will take place over the Falls starting at 10:00pm.
St. Catharines
Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie will be hosting a full day of events on July 1, featuring a stellar line-up of live music, family-friendly entertainment, fireworks, food vendors, and more.
The event starts at 12:30pm with remarks from the mayor. Musical performances will take place throughout the day until 9:30pm, when the fireworks begin. Performers include Born Ruffians, The Darcys, Lydia Persaud, Ryan Langdon, Sleepy Jean, Jin, Flwr Girl and The Mountain Man.
The children’s zone will feature members of the St. Catharines Fire Services, including Sparky. Attendees can tour a fire truck and learn about fire prevention.
There will also be various outdoor, carnival-style games and food vendors selling a variety of dining options, as well as local craft beer and cider.
Welland
The City of Welland will be having an event downtown at Merritt Park and King Street between 2:00pm and 10:00pm. At Merritt Park there will be entertainment provided by aerial circus troupe Femme du Feu Creations, as well as rock climbing, lawn games and graffiti artists.
On King Street there will be food trucks and vendors and a Welland firetruck showcase. Also on King Street, Welland Minor Hockey and ParaSport Ontario will be facilitating a hockey zone where the public can participate in a game of road or sledge hockey.
The evening will also have musical entertainment at the Merritt Park Amphitheatre beginning at 6:30pm. Fireworks start at 10:00pm.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Fort George National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake has a full day of celebrations planned from 10:00am to 10:00pm.
The public is welcome to tour the historic buildings, view musket and artillery demonstrations, and enjoy the music of the 41st Regiment Fife and Drum Corps, as well as other musical entertainment. There will be a BBQ with proceeds supporting the Friends of Fort George. The night will culminate with fireworks presented by Garden City Fireworks.
Admission is free.
Port Colborne
In Port Colborne, the PC Optimist Club will hold its annual Canada Day event at H.H Knoll Park. Starting at 10:00am there will be music and entertainment which ranges from a magic show to highland dancers. There will be a children’s activity area with bouncy castles, games, Birds of Prey, and pony rides. Food vendors include Backyard BBQ, Super Mario’s Pizza, Country Boys, popcorn, and snow cones.
The City of Port Colborne will hold fireworks along the canal on West Street at 10:00pm.
Pelham
Pelham will host a plethora of activities throughout the day Saturday.
Kicking off the festivities will be the Grand Parade at 4:00pm, which will travel down Haist Street from A.K. Wigg School to Harold Black Park. Following the parade, community members will enjoy a welcome ceremony, free family activities, community art project, and an entertainment stage featuring local talent.
Free swimming will also be available at the Town of Pelham Pool from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Fireworks take place at 10:00pm.
