More than 150 unique artisans, crafters, local farmers, and talented musicians and entertainers from across the province will once again descend upon Ball’s Falls Conservation Area for the annual Thanksgiving Festival from Oct. 6 to 9.
“We’re thrilled to host thousands of guests from near and far at the 49th Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival this fall,” says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Area Programs and Services with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA). “This is our second fully in-person festival since the pandemic and we have planned a fantastic long weekend for everyone to experience nature, arts, culture, history, shopping and fall harvest fun all in one place. The event remains true to tradition and will feature popular vendors and artisans while showcasing local food, drink and history.”
As part of the event, guests will have a chance to step into nature with guided or self-guided hikes along the natural trails at the conservation area to explore the Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Valley Creek ecosystem. Families can watch bird-of-prey shows hosted by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy and magic shows by entertainers like Calvin’s Magic and Scoop McCoy. Children will especially love free face painting by Masquerade and train rides by Niagara Antique Power.
Guests will experience history in a dynamic and immersive way when they visit the Heritage Village of Glen Elgin, to watch blacksmithing, wood carving, handweaving and spinning demonstrations. They will travel back in time to the 1800s as they tour the Victorian-era Ball Family home, historical chapel and original grist mill, operating as it did in 1809 turning out freshley milled whole wheat flour.
The festival will feature Niagara’s best local wine and craft beer from Bench Brewing Company, Newark Brewing Company, Flat Rock Cellars, Kings Court Estate and Calamus Estate Winery. The ever-popular Farmer’s Market will welcome Food 4 Life (black garlic), Revolution Wool Company, Mingle Hill Farms, and Red Maple Homestead, among others.
Diverse flavours from local craft food vendors and food trucks such as Fiesta Empanada, Chaat Spot by Moksha and Karma Kameleon will surely satisfy all who attend this year’s festival and offer the perfect pairings to any beverages. Delectable options also available will include Ontario Corn Roasters, Wandering Bean Coffee and Rolling in the Dough.
This year’s entertainment line-up, presented by Giant FM and Country 89, will appeal to audiences of all ages with fan favorites like Jonesy, The Blackstones, Figure Four and Usual Suspects. They will be joined by several other great musicians and entertainers on the main stage all weekend long.
Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival and explore the colourful forested trails from Friday, Oct. 6 to Monday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11.
Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to ensure ease of access at the gate and avoid long lineups. Admission will also be available at the gate all weekend long and all forms of payment are accepted.
Carpooling is encouraged as on-site parking is limited and not always guaranteed. The use of alternate routes to Victoria Avenue is also suggested to avoid traffic congestion and wait times.
Ball’s Falls Conservation Area is located in Lincoln, Ontario – south of Vineland.
Parking is available off Seventh Avenue, and accessible parking is available to permit holders at the Centre for Conservation at the conservation area.
The event is rain or shine. Pets are not allowed. Only service dogs with proper ID are permitted at the event. For more details on this year’s festival, including entertainment schedule and list of participating artisan, food and beverage vendors, visit www.thanksgivingfestival.ca
For more info about Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and the NPCA, visit www.npca.ca
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About Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival:
From its humble beginnings as a one-day craft show, the event has become a family tradition and a Niagara staple. In 2023, it will celebrate fall with a unique and exciting weekend unlike any other! The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is a significant fundraiser for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), with revenues directed to Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and NPCA’s various conservation, recreation and education programs and projects.
Funding provided by the Government of Ontario. We also thank Niagara this Week, Niagara Falls Review, Welland Tribune, St. Catharines Standard, New Country 89 and Giant FM for supporting the Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Festival.
About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA):
The NPCA is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 63 years of experience, NPCA offers watershed programs and services focusing on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Erika Navarro
Communications Specialist
905-650-4027
enavarro@npca.ca