NIAGARA
the Municipalities
INDEX
City of St. Catharines
City of Niagara Falls
City of Welland
City of Port Colborne
City of Thorold
Town of Fort Erie
Niagara on the Lake
Town of Grimsby
Town of Lincoln
Town of Wainfleet
Township of West Lincoln
Town of Pelham
NOTICE
The following event dates listed below may have been based on
former schedules and as such may not be entirely accurate. They are subject to change from
year to year. The dates listed below will give you the viewer an approximate date for
each. Please contact the respective Cities or Towns to confirm current year dates
and status of these
events.
The following locations and facts about them are
but a few of many famous sites & attractions to be found in Niagara Falls. The best of
it is FREE to see...so think of Niagara Falls when planning your next vacation. If you
have questions of a current or historical nature about the Niagara Falls area or
suggestions feel free to e-mail Rick at
niagarahistory@gmail.com
FORT ERIE
The Town of Fort Erie consists of 168 square kilometers and is located along the
South-Eastern shore of Lake Erie at the Southern terminus of the Niagara River. With small
town flavour and big city amenities, Fort Erie is located opposite the City of Buffalo New
York. The International Peace Bridge connects both and is a major gateway into the Niagara
Area. Population is 27,183 people. Attractions include:
Historic Old Fort Erie
A fully restored British garrison used during the War of 1812 to repel invading American
forces. Fully restored to provide the visitor with life as a soldier in the early 1800's.
It is located at the mouth of the Niagara River and overlooks the City of Buffalo.
Fort Erie Race Track
One of the premier thoroughbred horse racing tracks in Canada. Home of the Prince of Wales
Stakes Race - July 30th (Second leg of the Canadian triple Crown).
Fort Erie Railroad Museum
Home to Canadian National Railway steam locomotive # 6218 and caboose for visitors to
climb aboard to explore & enjoy. Museum is housed in old train stations circa 1873
& 1910.
Fort Erie Home Show
- East End
Arena (April 21st - 23rd)
Friendship Festival - Fort Erie
& Buffalo (June 28th - July 4th)
An annual festival celebrating friendship with our American neighbors. Events for everyone
& every Taste. Food & Beverages of every variety.
Annual Siege Weekend
- Old
Historic Fort Erie (August 12th - 13th)
Re-enactment of the siege at Fort Erie. One of the bloodiest battles during the War of
1912.
GRIMSBY
The Town of Grimsby consists of 68 square kilometers and is an agriculture based community
located along the Western Border of the Niagara Peninsula on the Southern shores of Lake
Ontario. A picturesque community nestled at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, Grimsby
maintains a small town atmosphere with all the modern amenities of a much larger city. The
Town of Grimsby has undergone a transformation with a substantial housing boom over the
past ten (10) years. Grimsby is within commuting distance to much larger cities and
maintains a lower cost of living making the town very desirable and attractive. Grimsby is
situated on perhaps the most fertile ground found in Niagara. Specialty crops include many
orchards of various tender fruit and grape vineyards. Grimsby has a population of 19,585
people. Attractions include:
Festival at the 40 (August 16th
- 17th)
Wine gardens, barbecue & entertainment.
TOWN OF LINCOLN
The Town of Lincoln consists of 163 square kilometers and is an agriculture based
community that includes Vineland, Jordan, and Beamsville. The Town of Lincoln is located
along the Southern shores of Lake Ontario between the Town of Grimsby and the City of St.
Catharines. Primary crops at the base of the Niagara Escarpment are orchards of tender
fruit, grape vineyards, and vegetables. Primary crops above the Niagara Escarpment include
vegetables and various grains. The Town of Lincoln has a population of 118,801 people.
Attractions include:
Ball's Falls Conservation Area - Vineland
A historical park consisting of old cabins, a church, and flour & grist mills. A
beautiful nature area with many trails. Picnic area.
Maple Syrup Days - Vineland
(March 12th - 26th)
Wood Carvers Heritage Festival - Ball's Falls Conservation
Area (June 10th - 11th)
Lincoln County Fair - Beamsville
(September 5th - 8th)
Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Festival - Ball's Falls
Conservation Area (October 11th - 14th)
A large outdoor arts & crafts show.
TOWN OF NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
The Town of Niagara on the Lake consists of 131 square kilometers and is located in the
North-East portion of the Niagara Peninsula along the shores of Lake Ontario at the
terminus of the Niagara River. It is a historical town where many buildings still retain
their architectural flavour dating back 100 years & more. Niagara on the Lake takes
the visitor for a walk back in time with all the modern amenities. It is perhaps the most
scenic Town in the Niagara area. Walk or take a relaxing ride in a horse drawn carriage
through the downtown core area. Perhaps the finest vineyards in Niagara are found here.
Niagara on the Lake has a population of 113,238 people. Attractions include:
Fort George
A fully restored British garrison used during the War of 1812
to repel invading American forces. Built in 1797.
Shaw Festival Theatre (April
12th - October 24th)
A live professional theatre for the presentation of plays written by George Bernard Shaw
and his contemporaries.
Winter Wine Experience (February
11th - 12th)
Virgil Stampede - Virgil (May
18th - 20th)
TOWN OF PELHAM
The Town of Pelham consists of 125 square kilometers and is located northwest of the City
of Welland. The Town of Pelham includes the communities of Fonthill, Fenwick, North Pelham
and Ridgeville. Pelham is primarily an agricultural area where many farms abound. Orchards
of tender fruit and grape vineyards are plentiful. The Fonthill area has undergone a
building boom over the past dozen years with many businesses and neighborhoods being
developed. Population is 14,343 people. Attractions include:
Comfort Maple
The Comfort Maple is the oldest living sugar maple tree. It
measures ninety (90) feet in height and eighty five (85) feet wide. It is located on
Metler Road in North Pelham.
Pelham Art Festival (May 12th -
14th)
Fenwick Lions Carnival (May 25th
- 28th)
St. Johns Conservation Area
CITY OF PORT COLBORNE
The City of Port Colborne consists of 123 square miles and is located on the Northern
shores of Lake Erie at the Southern terminus of the world famous Welland Canal. It is the
fourth (4th) largest City in the Niagara Peninsula. Port Colborne was built around the
fishing and marine industry. Several public and private beaches are available. Sugarloaf
harbor is a 900 serviced slip facility available for the weary sailors whether staying for
a few hours or a few days. Population is 18,451 people. Attractions include:
The Welland Canal and Lock #8
The St. Lawrence Seaway & the Welland Canal is a must for all tourists. Lock #8 in
Port Colborne is the longest lift lock in the entire St. Lawrence Seaway System. View the
ships in the lock from a viewing stand located in Fountain View Park.
Canal Days Festival (August 3rd
- 4th)
Showboat Festival Theatre - Roselawn Center Theatre
Annual Antique Power Show - Sherkston (June 30th - July 2nd)
International Week - Lakeview Park (July 8th - July 16th)
CITY OF ST. CATHARINES
The City of St. Catharines consists of 95 square kilometers and is located along the
Southern shores of Lake Ontario at the Northern terminus of the Welland Canal. St.
Catharines is the largest urban area in the Niagara Peninsula and has a population of
approximately 130,926 people. The largest industry in St. Catharines is General Motors of
Canada. Attractions include:
Antique Carousel
Is located in Lakeshore Park in Port Dalhousie. It is one of the oldest hand crafted
wooden merry-go-rounds in North America.
Henley Regatta Rowing Site
Is located in Port Dalhousie. World class rowing competitions are held at this rowing
course once a year.
Welland Canal Lock # 3 Complex & St. Catharines
Historical Museum
is located along the west side of the Welland Canal at Flight Lock # 3. This complex
contains a restaurant, museum and viewing stand. A great view of both Lake freighters
& Ocean ships entering and leaving the flight lock. A must for all tourists.
Port Weller Dry Docks
Is located on Lakeshore Road at the Welland Canal. View
enormous ships being built, refitted or repaired.
Brock University
One of the finest education facilities in the Province of
Ontario.
Octoberfest (October 12th -20th)
Bavarian food & entertainment festival at various locations.
Grape & Wine Festival (
September 20th - 29th)
A festival celebrating the end of the Grape harvest & wine production. A King &
Queen are crowned each year. Festival culminates in Grape & Wine Festival Parade.
The Royal Henley Rowing Regatta - Port Dalhousie (August 7th -11th)
Annual Lake Ontario Salmon Derby
(April 15th - May 14th)
Niagara Lifestyle Home Show - Garden City Arena (April 20th - 23rd)
Folk Arts Festival (May 13th -
28th)
CITY OF THOROLD
The City of Thorold consists of 85 square kilometers and is located along the Welland
Canal just South of the City of St. Catharines. Thorold is famous for the St. Lawrence
Seaway and the twinned flight locks where "ships climb the mountain" of the
Niagara Escarpment. Flight locks #4, #5, #6 & #7 are truly man made engineering
marvels which must be seen by all visitors. Population is 17,883 people. Other Attractions
include:
Thorold Tunnel
The Thorold vehicle tunnel was built under the
existing Welland Canal approximately 28 years ago. Maintained by the St. Lawrence Seaway,
it allowed quick access across the canal other than waiting for long periods of time at
lift bridges. This tunnel is unique in its construction because it was built under an
already existing canal.
CITY OF WELLAND
The City of Welland consists of 81 square kilometers and is located along the Welland
Canal between Port Colborne & Thorold. Welland is know as the "Rose City",
and has a population of approximately 48,411 people. It is the third largest city in the
Niagara Peninsula. The City of Welland was built on the strength of industries which
settled here because of an abundance of transportation facilities. The population of
Welland truly reflects the ethnic diversity of the United Nations. In June of each year,
the City celebrates the Rose Festival (June 3rd - 18th) which is culminates in the Rose
Festival Parade. Other Attractions include:
The Welland Canal
The Welland Canal is an omnipresent feature in Niagara. The
fourth canal (current) was built in between 1913 - 1932, and stretched twenty-six (26)
miles from Lake Erie at Port Colborne to Lake Ontario at St. Catharines.
Most Cities in
Niagara were built along the canal such as was the case in the City of Welland.
The Welland portion of the canal until 1973, passed
through the center core of the City. Its winding course made navigation difficult and
three lift bridges across the canal made for many traffic jams & overheated tempers.
In 1967, in order to straighten the navigation
channel, the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority began construction of the New Canal Bypass.
This Bypass was cut from expropriated lands near the Eastern border of the city limits. It
was 8.3 miles long, 350 feet wide at the bottom and 30 feet deep. In order to speed
vehicle and rail traffic, two tunnels were built under the new bypass. The tunnels are
located on Main Street (vehicular traffic) and Townline Road (rail & vehicle traffic).
In 1973 the New Welland Canal Bypass was officially
opened for ship traffic.The old portion of the canal in the downtown core was closed. This
section of the canal has become a recreational waterway. It is also a world class rowing
course. All the former lift bridges along the old section have been replaced by stationary
vehicle crossings however the shell of the Main Street lift bridge remains for tourists
& citizens alike to enjoy & remember.
Niagara College
Niagara College is one of the finest community colleges in
the Province of Ontario
Wall Murals
Throughout the downtown core artists from all over Ontario
were commissioned to create twenty-eight (28) various wall mural paintings on the walls of
business buildings. Take a walking tour through downtown Welland to enjoy these unique
creations. The largest of these murals is found mounted on the front wall of the Seaway
Mall on Niagara Street.
Niagara Regional Exhibition
(September 11th - 15th)
Niagara Food Festival (October
5th - 6th)
Welland Folklore Festival
(August 30th - September 2nd)
TOWN OF WAINFLEET
The Town of Wainfleet consists of 217 square kilometers and is located approximately 15
miles West of Port Colborne along Highway # 3. Wainfleet is an agricultural community. The
feeder canal which served as the second Welland Canal between 1840 and 1881 intersects the
center of the Town. Wainfleet consists of perhaps the second largest segment of land in
the Niagara Peninsula. Wainfleet boasts many miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Long Beach
Provincial Park provides camping and swimming areas along a half mile long sandy beach.
Population is 6,253 people. Attractions include:
Wainfleet Fall Fair (September
19th - 21st)
Marshville Heritage Festival & Craft Show - Wainfleet Sports Complex
( August 31st -September 2nd)
Chippawa Creek Conservation Area
located along the shores of the Welland River. Camping, fishing, swimming & picnic
area available.
TOWNSHIP OF WEST
LINCOLN
The Township of West Lincoln consists of 383 square kilometers and is an agriculture based
community consisting of many small villages. The largest is the Town of Smithville. West
Lincoln is the largest geographical area in the Niagara Region with the smallest
population base. It is located along the Western border of the Niagara Peninsula, South of
Grimsby. Crops include various vegetables and assorted grains. Population is 11,513
people. Attractions include:
Smithville Fall Fair (September
1st - 3rd)
CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS
The City of Niagara Falls consists of 212 square kilometers and is located along the
Eastern border of the Niagara Peninsula and is situated along the shore of the Niagara
River opposite the City of Niagara Falls, New York USA. It is the site of the world famous
cataracts - Niagara Falls. Known affectionately as the Honeymoon Capital of the
World...the City of Niagara Falls has a resident population of approximately 76,917
people. Tourism and natural beauty are the greatest assets of this City. Each year twelve
(12) million visitors come to see Niagara Falls. Two International Bridges traverse the
Niagara River to Niagara Falls, New York USA, providing an easily accessible Gateway for
all our guests throughout the world.
Other Attractions include:
Winter Festival of Lights -
Queen Victoria Park (Niagara Parks) - (Nov. - Jan.)
A premier Christmas season light festival that has become larger and more
beautiful each year. Walt Disney Productions has supported, sponsored and
contributed to the success and beauty of this event by providing a gallery of
Disney cartoon characters in animated light displays. Fireworks and live
concerts for the likes of everyone of any age. Cost is free. Refreshment vendors
on site. Dress warmly.