Port Dalhousie Supper Market dishing up new season of fun
Event returns June 20 and runs Tuesdays to end of August
The way Christopher O’Connor sees it, there’s no better place to be on a Tuesday night this summer than on a lawn chair in Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie.
“We’ve got amazing food. We’ve got amazing beverages. The music scene,” said O’Connor, who’s organizing the Port Dalhousie Supper Market with his team at Port Dalhousie Supply Co.
“Port Dalhousie is a place to celebrate in the summer and enjoy the season. So pairing good weather, good food and music together is a perfect night for me.”
After a successful return to Lakeside Park in 2022 following a three-year hiatus, the supper market is getting set for another season of food and festivities.
The weekly event, which originated in 2015, was forced out of the park in 2019 because of Lake Ontario flooding and relocated to Henley Island. After COVID-19 put a temporary end to gatherings, the event was relaunched in Lakeside Park last June.
O’Connor said it was a “spectacular” first year back since the flood.
“We had an amazing time up on Henley Island, but the natural home and the place where this all started was certainly Lakeside Park. Lakeside Park is purpose-built for events like this and we’re glad to be back there this year.”
He estimated the event drew a few hundred people each night and thousands over the course of the summer from as far afield as Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold and Niagara Falls.
With increased awareness of the event and people getting out more post-pandemic, organizers are expecting even more visitors this season. The events will run every Tuesday from June 20 to Aug. 29 from 4 p.m. to sunset. There is no admission.
This year’s menu has expanded to include gluten-free, keto and vegan options from Nolaas restaurant in Port Dalhousie and tastes from Courtney’s Crepes of Stevensville. They’ll be joining other popular vendors serving pizza, Indian food, burgers and barbecued chicken.
The supper market has partnered with Henry of Pelham and Vieni Estates to offer more local wine selections and with Kvas Fine Beverage Co. of Niagara Falls for cocktails, along with with beer and other offerings.
The event’s entertainment kicks off June 20 with The Figure Four, which does a cover of “Lakeside Park” by Rush. High Fidelity, Tin Roof Band, Mel Monaco, Feverish Lemons, Marty Allen Band and J.I.N. are some of the other acts this summer.