Exterior concept illustration of Clifton Hill’s newest tourist attraction, set to open next summer. Photo credit: Triotech
Niagara Falls to be home to first ‘Hyper Ride’ in North America
At the 2021 IAAPA Expo two weeks ago in Orlando, Fla., industry-leading tourist attraction developer Triotech revealed Clifton Hill will soon be home to the company’s latest innovation in interactive media-based motion technology.
The new attraction, ‘Carnival Chaos Hyper Ride’, will showcase Triotech’s award-winning immersive motion simulation technology, with seven fully interactive scenes, five carts, and programmable digital theming inside the attraction.
“As a long-standing partner with Triotech, Clifton Hill has introduced many new attraction technologies to the visitors of Niagara Falls over the years”, said Harry Oakes, president of HOCO, Clifton Hill’s parent company. “I am personally very excited to be deploying this new attraction that will complement our wide offering.”
The new attraction is set to open summer 2022. For a video preview of what patrons can expect from the experience, click here.
FirstOntario Credit Union kicks off holidays with large donation to local food banks
In an effort to help struggling food banks keep up with demand, FirstOntario Credit Union has donated $100,000 to a dozen southern Ontario agencies and community partners.
“Addressing hunger is top priority for us as food and shelter are basic human rights that everyone should have access to,” said FirstOntario CEO Lloyd Smith. “Part of being a cooperative financial institution is acting out of concern for our community and making a positive impact wherever we can.”
Locally, Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, the Hope Center in Welland, and Food4Kids Niagara will all receive a share of FirstOntario’s generous donation.
Niagara Catholic approves five-year strategic plan, conceives new mission statement
At its Nov. 23 trustee meeting, the Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB) approved a new strategic plan that will guide the board’s outlook and actions through to 2026. As part of its new plan, the NCDSB also crafted a fresh mission statement, vision, and set of values.
“We are a Christ-centered Catholic faith community that celebrates diversity and fosters spiritual growth, inspiring all to reach their full potential in mind, body and spirit,” reads the school board’s new mission statement.
The NCDSB spent the better part of 2021 devising its strategic plan, with over 1,400 stakeholders providing input in the process.
“This document is a result of the breadth and depths of the folks who put all this together and reflects calm and understanding,” said Larry Huibers, Chair of Niagara Catholic’s Board of Trustees. “It was very hard work to do, not because of divergent thought, but to ensure that it set the bar high enough to continue the good work that has been done.”
Tourism minister announces nearly $900,000 in funding for Niagara Falls festivals
At a press conference at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls Monday evening, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod announced that four local festivals will receive provincial funding through the government’s Reconnect Festival and Event Program.
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights and Niagara Falls Music Live will each receive $250,000, Canada Diwali RazzMatazz will receive $245,000, while the Fleurs de Villes floral trail will receive $149,830.
“For more than a year, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted tourism and culture – two major industries that bring people together and our communities to life,” said Minister MacLeod. “Increasing our annual support for festivals and events will give the sector a much-needed boost and pave the way for long-term recovery.”
The funding will help organizers offset costs related to programming, production, marketing, enhanced safety protocols, and more.
Country’s largest restaurant chain allegedly undergoing ‘hiring crisis’ in Ontario
According to interviews and leaked emails obtained by BNN Bloomberg, several Tim Hortons’ in Ontario are apparently experiencing a ‘hiring crisis’.
Most of the locations are suburban stores outside major city zones in the GTA, which have seen something of a post-pandemic resurgence in sales in recent months, without the return to work from staff.
Per BNN, much of the labour shortage boils down to stagnant wages and uneven pay across locations. As virtually all of Tim Hortons’ 4,000 restaurants in Canada are franchise-owned, there are no set or regulated wage mandates. Franchisees set the wages at their individual locations, as well as dictate hiring practices.
“Even though hiring and retaining team members in the restaurants is something that is handled directly by our restaurant owners,” said Meghan Giffin, communications manager with the company, “the leadership team has been meeting with restaurant owners to design recruitment campaigns and share best practices across the country of owners that have had great success in attracting talent.”
This Weekend Around the Region
Outdoor Christmas Market
Bring the family to Town Square in Pelham to enjoy fresh local food and beverages, carriage rides, and live music, and tick off names from your shopping list by supporting Niagara artisans in their market booths.
And of course, meet Santa himself!
When: Friday, Dec. 3, 4:00-9:30pm
Where: Downtown Fonthill
For more information, go to the Town of Pelham’s website here.
Grimsby Santa Claus Parade
After a modified version last year, the 64th annual Grimsby Santa Claus Parade is back to its traditional form for 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Cartoon Christmas’. The parade will feature approximately 90 entries, including community floats, walking groups, marching bands, and various entertainment.
The parade will proceed eastbound along Livingston Avenue/Main Street West starting at Blessed Trinity Secondary School, and end at the Ontario Street intersection.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, 5:15pm
Where: Downtown Grimsby
For more information, go to the Town of Grimsby’s website here.
Grand Old Christmas Festival
Although things are different again this year, the heritage village will be decorated, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be visiting, and the holiday spirit will be flowing.
Before heading to the museum, pre-order one (or both!) of the two take-home kits offered this year. The first will give you all the natural materials needed to make a beautiful Christmas door swag. The second, supplied by Arabella’s Tea Room, will include a teacup and saucer, the tearoom’s famous biscuit mix, and instructions on how to mix and bake the biscuits.
Take-home kits cost $10, but admission to the heritage village is free.
When: Sunday, Dec. 5, 12:00-4:00pm
Where: Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum
To pre-order a kit for pick-up, call the museum at: 905-834-7604
