Canal Days facts for kids
Canal Days is a super fun festival held every year in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. It celebrates the city's amazing history with boats and the Welland Canal. The festival started way back in 1979. It was created by the Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum.
Port Colborne is a city located on the north-east side of Lake Erie. It's part of the Niagara Peninsula. You can drive there in about 30 minutes from the US border near Buffalo, New York. The city is also at the very end of the Welland Canal. This is where big ocean ships pass right through downtown. They are either heading into the inner Great Lakes or out to sea.
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How Canal Days Started
Canal Days began in 1979. It was part of a bigger celebration. This event marked 150 years since the first Welland Canal opened. That first festival brought 400 visitors to the Museum grounds. It honored how much the Canal changed the community. In 1980, the Museum decided to keep the festival going. It has grown bigger and better every year since then.
Fun Things to Do at Canal Days
During Canal Days, the downtown streets are closed. Even the lift-bridge stops traffic. This makes way for lots of exciting things! You'll find vendors selling cool stuff. There are also buskers performing and food merchants with tasty treats. The festival has many attractions for everyone.
Special Fun for Kids
There's a special Children's area just for you! It has live entertainment and a carnival midway. You can also see a live bird of prey and reptile exhibit. It's a safe and supervised place to have a blast.
Explore Historic Ships
You can explore amazing Tall Ships docked along the canal wall. These historic ships are open for you to walk on. Special cruises are also available. You can even take a day-long trip from Lake Ontario. This journey takes you right through the canal locks!
Discover Local Art and History
At the Lock 8 viewing complex, you'll find Hidden Treasures. This area features local crafters and artists. The Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum is also there. It gives you a peek into the city's rich past. West Street has many old buildings from the 1800s. It becomes the biggest outdoor vending area. You can also find a huge outdoor food court there.
Cars, Kites, and Music
Ontario's largest outdoor vintage car show is also part of the fun. You can see a fantastic kite display too. Both of these are at H.H. Knoll park. If you love big band music, check out Jazz on the Lawn. This happens at the Roselawn Centre for the Living Arts. Nightly concerts are also a big part of the festival. They are held in the Market Square. Classic rock headliners, tribute bands, and local favorites play there. There's music for every taste in this great outdoor spot.
The Grand Finale
The festival ends with a special boat parade. It goes along the Port Colborne canal corridor. Then, there's a huge fireworks show over the water. It's an amazing way to finish the celebration!
Past Bands
| Year | Band(s) |
|---|---|
| 2001 | The Northern Pikes |
| 2006 | Starship featuring Mickey Thomas |
| 2007 | Spirit of the West, David Wilcox, Sass Jordan |
| 2008 | Hedley, David Wilcox |
| 2009 | 54-40, The Georgia Satellites, Ill Scarlett, Bachman Cummings (Randy Bachman & Burton Cummings), Steve Strongman, Kim Mitchell |
| 2010 | Trooper, David Wilcox, Big Sugar |
| 2011 | Bleaker Ridge, Whale Tooth and Finger Eleven | Sister Act and The Caverners |
| 2012 | The Trews, Sloan |
| 2013 | The Tea Party with Bleaker Ridge and TimeGiant, April Wine |
| 2014 | Moist, IllScarlett |
| 2015 | I Mother Earth, Big Wreck, Junkhouse |
| 2016 | Finger Eleven, Kim Mitchell, David Wilcox |
| 2017 | Headstones, Big Sugar, The Sadies |
| 2018 | 54-40, Blue Rodeo, The Lowest of the Low |
