The Great Ontario Communities Series (Niagara Region)

 During the past 14 years Judi and I have visited almost 200 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The eleventh article is about the Niagara Region, with its quaint towns, beautiful wineries and, of course, Niagara Falls!

NIAGARA REGION - Who hasn’t heard of Niagara Falls?  It’s known all over the world for its strength and beauty!  Lovers honeymoon there!  Adventures try to ride the Falls and sightseers from all over take thousands of photographs!  But Niagara Falls is only part of the allure of the Niagara Region.  A big part, but only a part!  Judi and I love to visit this area because there is so much to do!  In Niagara-on-the-Lake there’s the Shaw Festival and wonderful historic shopping.  Artists such as Trisha Romance live and work there!  In St. Catherine’s there’s Port Dalhousie, home of the Antique Carousel hosting ride at 5 cents and Harbour where the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta is held in August.  There are also a number of great restaurants there to enjoy a savory meal.  Fort Erie has the Fort Erie Rack Track plus it’s right on the border to Buffalo.  Crystal Beach is one main attraction not to be missed there.

The Niagara Region is also known for its great wineries.  On any given day during the warmer seasons, you’ll see thousands of people touring the areas numerous wineries (especially during the Niagara Wine Festival in September in St. Catharines). Throughout the region there are many interesting and quaint towns and villages to discover and explore! In the Town of Pelham are 5 villages nestled including Fonthill full of quaint shops.