The Canal Days is an annual marine heritage festival in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. It is a not-for-profit event, traditionally held during the Canadian civic holiday weekend at the start of August (aka Simcoe Day) and with over 100,000 visitors, it is one of the largest free festivals of its kind.
Port Colborne is located on the north-east shore of Lake Erie, on the southern portion of the Niagara Peninsula, and is about 15 minutes drive from the US border at Buffalo, New York. The city is also the southern terminus of the Welland Canal, where ocean vessels pass through the downtown area on their way into the inner Great Lakes, or out to sea.
During Canal Days the downtown streets and lift-bridge are closed to traffic, giving way to vendors, buskers, food merchants, and many attractions. The festival provides a fully supervised Children's area featuring live entertainment, a carnival midway, and a live bird of prey and reptile exhibit. Tall Ships moored along the canal wall are open for exploration, and special cruises are available on these historic ships as well, including a day long journey from Lake Ontario, through the canal locks.
At the Lock 8 viewing complex, the Hidden Treasures vending area features local crafters and artists, and the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum offers a glimpse into the city's rich past. West Street, which features many historic buildings dating back to the 19th century, plays host to the largest open-air vending area and outdoor food court, while Ontario's largest outdoor vintage car show and kite display can be observed throughout the festival at H.H. Knoll park.
Fans of big band music can enjoy Jazz on the Lawn at the Roselawn Centre for the Living Arts. Nightly concerts in the fully licensed Market Square are also a big part of the festival: Classic rock headliners, tribute bands, and local favorites provide something for every musical taste in this great outdoor venue.
The festival culminates with a boat parade along the Port Colborne canal corridor and a massive fireworks display over the water.
Famous quotes containing the words canal and/or days:
“My impression about the Panama Canal is that the great revolution it is going to introduce in the trade of the world is in the trade between the east and the west coast of the United States.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“to slam the door on all the days she’ll stay the same
and never ask why and never think who to ask,
to slam the door and rip off her orange blouse.
Father, father, I wish I were dead.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)