The city of Port Colborne’s signature summer festival is back this long weekend.
Credit: Port Colborne/Canal Days
Celebrating history and heritage along the Welland Canal, Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, which runs from August 4 to 7, will see a variety of entertainment, a midway, guided tours, a lighted boat parade, fireworks, tall ship cruises, concerts by chart-topping artists and delicious eats from local restaurants.
If you are wondering what to do this long weekend, here are all the reasons why you should consider a trip to Port Colborne:
- Family Fun: Families can enjoy face painting, get balloon animals, explore a kids’ area featuring inflatables and crafts, take pony rides, go on train rides across Bridge 21, and scream through thrilling midway rides. You can explore Port Colborne Museum and watch artisans demonstrate blacksmithing, woodcarving, spinning, rope ladder-making and other crafts throughout the heritage village. There is also a remote control boat show and demonstration of antique equipment and steam whistles. The Kids Zone is at Seaway Park, located right over the Clarence Street Bridge on the East Side of the Canal. Those interested can also check out the Discovery of the Titanic Exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum at Roselawn Centre.
- Lighthouse Tours: Friends of the Port Colborne Lighthouses will host tours of Port Colborne’s historic lighthouses. On time, which costs $15 per adult and $5 per child (ages 6-18), you can see the 12.8-meter square tower of the inner lighthouse, which was constructed in 1903 and the 11-meter tall foghorn/outer lighthouse in 1928. Since the tour requires a boat ride, you can also see large ships and other ocean-going vessels up close. Tickets can be purchased from a pavilion at Sugarloaf Marina, from where the tours depart.
Credit: Port Colborne/Canal Days
- Shop: Shop from heritage artisans and local businesses located at Historic West Street. Additionally, over 75 vendors from across Ontario will be selling unique handmade crafts, artwork, dolls, candles, and much more on Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre, 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne.
- Concerts:
- Cruises: Take a cruise on the 200-foot-topsail Schooner, Empire Sandy. The cruise runs all weekend long, and tickets cost from $35 to $140 depending on the type of cruise (daytime, sunset, dinner etc).
- Deck Tours: Explore the decks of Lettie G. Howard, E.M. Cotter Fireboat and other vessels. The tours are by donation.
- Classic Cars: Those interested in classic cars can see Sewell’s NAPA Automotive Annual Classic Car Show on Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at T.A. Lannan Sports Complex, 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne.
- Lighted Boat Parade: Experience the spectacular sight of more than 20 lighted boats sailing the Welland Canal. The free parade organised by Sugarloaf Sailing Club can be seen from West Street in downtown Port Colborne on Sunday, at around 9:15 p.m.
- Fireworks: Following the parade, you can enjoy an exhilarating firework show across the Canal at around 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Canal Days – Trip Planning
How Much: Free & Ticketed Events
Midway: Bracelets: $30.00 per person per day on Saturday and Sunday. All rides are 1 ticket per ride. Single tickets – $5 each, 11 tickets – $50, 22 tickets – $90
Lighthouse Tours: Tour donation of $15 per adult and $5 per child (ages 6-18). Children 5 and under are free.
Empire Sandy Tours: Ages 2-12 $35.00; 60 (+) $35.00; Adult $40.00; Fireworks/Dinner Cruise etc: Additional fees
Vessel Deck Tours: By Donation
When: August 4 to 7, 2023 – All Day
Midway:
Friday, August 4 – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, August 5 – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, August 6 – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Monday, August 7 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Concerts at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park:
Friday | 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. — Gravely, Jin, Elliot Brood, and The Glorious Sons
Saturday | 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. — Texas King, Skye Wallace and Sam Roberts Band
Sunday | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Pink Floyd Niagara and Riders on the Storm
Monday | 10 am to 5 pm — Tim ‘E’ Hendry and The Caverners
Lighthouse Tours: August 4 to 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Car Show: Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Boat Parade of Lights: Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 9:15 p.m.
Fireworks: Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 10 p.m.
Where:
Canal Days festival sites are situated along the Welland Canal along Steele Street, Elm Street, King Street, Sugarloaf Street and Welland Avenue. The core of the festival is on West Street.
If you are planning to visit Port Colborne during the festival, free parking is during the festival is available at:
- The Vale Health & Wellness Centre, 550 Elizabeth Street, with shuttle service
- West Side Plaza Parking Lot, 53 West Side Road, with shuttle service
- Market Square, 59 Charlotte Street, with shuttle service at Charlotte at King Street
There will be free transport from the Vale Health & Wellness Centre parking lot (550 Elizabeth Street) or the West Side Plaza Parking Lot (53 West Side Road) to the festival site in downtown Port Colborne along Welland Canal. Shuttles run approximately every 30 minutes.
Visit Canal Days website for more information.