Welcome return for Canada Day events

Thousands take part in celebrations across the region

After two years of missing out on summer events, communities throughout Niagara were ready to celebrate on Friday.

While large events happening during the weekend such as the Born and Raised music festival at Montebello Park attracted crowds to downtown St. Catharines, Port Dalhousie was packed with visitors as well, including thousands who gathered throughout the day for Canada Day festivities at Rennie Park.

“It’s nice to be back,” said Port Dalhousie Lions Club past president Grant Edwards, whose organization provided barbecued food as well as refreshments for the event.

“It’s excellent. The people are supporting us from all over St. Catharines.”

Edwards said it was the Lions’ first time participating in a community event in a few years due to the pandemic.

“You’ve got to get your feet wet, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said. ”

Although there was some intermittent rainfall during the event, it was just enough to help people cool off.

“It doesn’t seem to be bothering people too much. It’s Canada Day, you’re going to have what you get. That’s the way it is in Canada,” Edwards said.

“It’s beautiful here.”

St. Catharines Mayor Walter

Sendzik, who will not seek reelection this fall, noted the event was his last Canada Day as the city’s mayor.

“We not only live in an amazing city, but also an amazing country,” he said.

A lineup formed across the park as city staff members handed 1,000 “picnic packs” — filled white backpacks — to residents who preregistered to receive them.

The packs included a roll-up fleece blanket, two water bottles, a colouring book and a promo code for two tickets to a show at The Film House in July at Firstontario Performing Arts Centre. The event also featured several activities for children and families, as The Postmen performed live music on Niagara Artists Centre’s Papa Tee.

Activities included yard games, a community art mural and an opportunity to plant one of 500 dwarf sunflowers at a planting station.

Sendzik also acknowledged that Canada Day means different things to different people, writing on social media: “We must learn about our country’s true history, including what happened to our Indigenous communities, and reflect on the importance of being a country of diversity and inclusivity.”

In Thorold, Battle of Beaverdams Park was reopened just time to celebrate Canada Day — after more than a year of renovations.

The event featured live entertainment including a magic show and music, followed by fireworks in the evening.

Entertainment continued in Thorold on Saturday, with the Rock ’N Blues on the Battlefield concert lineup returning for the first time since 2019.