One local commemoration this year includes a special visit from Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Pictured is Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s annual poppy display. Photo credit: Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Poppy campaigns are underway and local Legions are gearing up in preparation of Remembrance Day. In addition to ceremonies, there are also local fundraisers for Legions and visual commemorations to the great sacrifice made by Canadian soldiers for our freedom.
Here is a selection of ceremonies taking place throughout the region on Saturday, November 11, as well as notable fundraisers and commemorations.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
The annual procession to the clock tower cenotaph on Queen Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be led by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 for 10:45am.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 will also be hosting a dinner free to veterans on Saturday, November 4. All military members past and present can pick up their free ticket at the Legion. Non-military members of the public who wish to attend can purchase a ticket for $20 at the Legion bar or office.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum has expanded their handmade poppy display this year to include additional displays at the Legion on King Street and poppy wreaths for shop doors on Queen Street. This tribute to fallen soldiers, veterans and military personnel began with a donation of crochet poppies from the Niagara Falls Museum campaign in 2020. Volunteers have continued to make thousands of crocheted poppies over the last few years to extend these commemorative displays throughout the community.
St. Catharines
The Lincoln and Welland Regiment will be hosting a Remembrance Day service on Sunday, November 5 in St. Catharine’s at 10:00-11:00am in Memorial Park. A royal guest, the Duchess of Edinburgh, will be in attendance as one of her royal duties during her week-long visit to Canada.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has been the Colonel-in-Chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment since 2004.
Niagara Falls
The annual Remembrance Day service in Niagara Falls will again take place at the cenotaph beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Fairview Cemetery at 10:45am.
The Falls will be illuminated in red as well as red, white, and blue in honour of Remembrance Day and Veterans Day in America.
Port Colborne
In Port Colborne, at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park there will be a ceremony held by local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 at the cenotaph beginning at 10:30am. Afterwards, there will be a luncheon held at the Legion on Clarence Street at 12pm.
Another ceremony will be taking place at Cedar Bay Centennial Park at 11:00am facilitated by the city and St. John’s Lutheran Church.
The Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum will have a handmade poppy display along the heritage fences as a tribute to veterans past and present.
Also happening in Port Colborne is a cookie fundraiser by The Pie Guys Bakery for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 – Port Colborne and Branch 230 – Ridgeway. A two-pack of poppy cookies can be purchased for $5 from both Pie Guys locations in Port Colborne and Ridgeway with all proceeds going to each local Legion branch.
