Bringing the focus of Port Colborne’s Canal Days back to marine heritage

— Organizers of the annual Canal Days festival are looking to the original focus of the event — marine heritage.

The festival, now in its 38th year, got its start at the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum as a small celebration of the city’s marine heritage with a specific focus on the canal.

Since then, it has blossomed into a four-day event drawing thousands of visitors. This year, the festival — which runs July 29 to Aug. 1 — will feature a greater lineup of marine attractions than in the past.

“It is a marine heritage festival and we really wanted to focus on that,” said city communications coordinator Michelle Cuthbert, noting the expanded marine attractions come thanks to a $51,300 Celebrate Ontario grant.

Old favourites Empire Sandy and Lighthouse Tours will compliment new marine attractions.

Sailboats will be on display at the West Street docks alongside classic wood antique boats on Saturday and Sunday.

The intersection of Sugaloaf and West streets will have several marine attractions as well, including Bass Pro fishing and displays; Ministry of Natural Resources learn to fish programs; a learn-to-sail simulator courtesy of the Niagara Power and Sail Squadron; a marine navigation simulator from the Algoma Central Corporation; and more.

“We have a lot of great things booked,” said Cuthbert, noting old favourites from the museum to H.H. Knoll Park like the midway, fireworks on Sunday, car show, kite festival and golf challenge are all set to return.

On the entertainment front, local acts will be featured all weekend at the Scotiabank Patio on West and there is a full lineup booked for the mainstage at Market Square including headliners Finger 11, Kim Mitchell, David Wilcox and Tim ‘E’ and the Yes Men.

She said organizers are once again expecting upwards of 400,000 visitors to the festival. The economic impact in terms of spending by out-of-town visitors is estimated to be $4 million and that is on top of $8.2 million from local visitors.

For a full schedule of events and times visit www.canaldays.ca.