This installment of Three Things About Niagara-on-the Lake is courtesy of Tony Chisholm of “THE CANADIAN CONNECTION,” Niagara-on-the Lake
1. Question: What are some of the “things” or activities that the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake do for fun?
Answer:
Niagara-on-the-Lake offers many fun events all year long. The summer brings crowds to the local “fruit” festivals starting with the Strawberry Festival, the Cherry Festival and the big (like, take over the whole downtown, big) peach festival in August. The town is nestled in a wonderful agricultural area surrounded by fruit farms and vineyards galore. The biggest fun activity year round is to visit as many of the 20 vineyards in the township – as possible. Many feature fine dining as well. The little town is in the heart of the finest wine district in Canada. Oh, yea. There is also the wine festival.
2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Answer:
Most people are unaware of the magnificent Shaw Festival Theater. The Shaw’s three theaters in town provide a total of 12 professional plays from early April till Christmas. The Shaw started 55 years ago and brings a 1/4 million tourists to town annually. It is one of the top theater companies in North America and has a staff of over 700 people. See the plays this season at: www.shawfest.com
3. Question: What has Niagara-on-the-Lake has contributed to the world?
Answer:
Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of the most historic towns in all of Canada. It is the original parliament for Upper Canada (now called Ontario). Besides being the site of the first parliament (1792), it was the place for the first library in Canada, and the first law was passed to ban slavery in the British Commonwealth. The old town has been declared National Historic District and has seven National Historic Sites. These include the popular Fort George which was captured by the Americans in 1813 during the War of 1812. Retreating American forces burned the little town to the ground later that year and it was rebuilt after the war in the beautiful “Regency Style”. Most of those 200 year old stately homes still exist and many have been beautifully renovated with spectacular gardens. They say that as you walk the magnificent tree lined streets of old town that “history walks beside you”. Visitors love this historic town just minutes from Niagara Falls.
For further information, visit Niagara-on-the-Lake
