Canoe Polo all set for opening
The Welland Downtown BIA anticipates up to 6,000 people coming out to Monday night’s opening ceremonies for the International Canoe Federation’s World Canoe Polo Championships.
The on-water action starts Tuesday and runs until Aug. 5 at the International Flatwater Centre and will draw more than 600 participating athletes from 26 countries to Welland for the week.
But before the games begin, a concert will be performed by Honeymoon Suite, a multi-platinum band that formed in Niagara Falls in the early 80s and is still playing today.
They will hit the floating stage at Merritt Park, the venue for the BIA’s Concerts by the Canal series that has been rocking all summer.
The Associates, a well-known Welland-based band, will open the show.
Amanda MacDonald, executive director of the Downtown BIA, said the large crowds won’t cause problems with parking or block any major traffic arteries in the city.
“It’s nothing we haven’t seen before,” she said. “We hold a number of events in our downtown core, which are quite massive in scale,” said MacDonald.
With so many visitors from around the world arriving for this week’s competition, she said it’s an “exciting time for the Niagara region,” bringing the championships to the area.
“It’s showing we are one of the premiere destinations in Canada,” she said.
A parade of nations will travel down King Street to the stage before the ceremonies start at 7 p.m. Several food vendors will begin serving at 5 p.m.
Several dignitaries from around Niagara will also deliver remarks at the event before the music starts. Parking options include the market square, behind city hall, and near the Welland courthouse.