47th Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival Returns Online and In-Person
With the cautious return of in-person programming and events across the province, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is excited to announce the return of the Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, with a modified experience and a mix of online and in-person elements.
“The festival continues to be a staple in the lives of many families, local communities, vendors and businesses, and tourists alike. Following the success of our transition to a virtual festival and vendor market in 2020, and with in-person festivals and events now permitted in Ontario, we are thrilled to offer a diverse range of experiences for the community to engage in,” says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Area Services at NPCA. “In its 47th year, the festival features a month-long online shopping experience, as well as four days of in-person activities featuring artisan and farmer’s market vendors, delicious local food, VQA wines and local brews, great entertainment for all ages, and historical tours and demonstrations.”
The early online shopping experience kicked off Sept. 1 and will remain open until Oct. 4. Guests are invited to get started on their holiday shopping from the comfort of their own home, with an incredible lineup of more than 50 juried artisans, crafters, food and craft beverage vendors and local producers. Vendors continue to be added daily and currently include local farmers and producers, nearby wineries and breweries, woodworking, home and family goods artisans, and there are even delicious treats available for furry friends.
The Festival Online Store is offered through Local Line— an innovative service established to assist local farmers and producers in making their products available to larger audiences digitally. Online shoppers will pick up their goods at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area during Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 8 to Oct. 11, at a pre-scheduled time.
The 47th Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is more than just a virtual shopping experience, however, as it also represents the time of year when the colours of the Carolinian Forest paint Niagara Escarpment in their most brilliant hues, and the Heritage Village of Glen Elgin comes to life at Ball’s Falls.
The Thanksgiving Festival will return to Ball’s Falls with several live elements, with limited capacity, increased vendor spacing, and in compliance with all provincial and local public health regulations. The live, modified festival will include a diverse range of vendors, concessions, children’s activities, and live, acoustic entertainment.
Visitors will explore the heritage village, watch traditional historical interpretations, and engage with local community partners. They will admire the scenery of the forested trails, view the beautiful Upper and Lower waterfalls, and take the perfect ‘selfie’ or family portrait at one of many photo stations across the park.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, and ensure a safe and comfortable experience for guests, vendors, volunteers, and staff, visitor capacity for the live festival is limited and registration is required.
Immersive heritage tours are scheduled during the weekend, where guests can travel back in time to the 1800s and experience a working grist mill grinding wheat to flour, interactive demonstrations including blacksmithing and weaving. This tradition will continue with ticketed tours operating all weekend long. Reservations are mandatory and can be made online for individuals and groups of up to 10 people.
“This Niagara tradition has been taking place for 47 years, so we are honoured to be able to offer an opportunity for members of the community and visitors alike to participate in ways that are still safe and accessible,” adds Powell. “This modified festival experience allows us to continue supporting our valued vendors, and for their dedicated customers to shop for items and goodies they look forward to every year.”
The virtual marketplace is now open until Oct. 4. This year’s live festival has been modified to comply with provincial and local regulations, which means fewer vendors on-site, limited attendee capacity, and required advance registration.
“While the in-person Thanksgiving Festival continues to look a little different, we are proud to keep the tradition alive and welcome visitors from across the watershed to safely enjoy the beautiful fall sights, sounds, and tastes that make the Niagara Peninsula watershed an important and unique place to discover,” says Powell.
For more information about the festival such as how to shop online, book a Heritage Tour, and pick up and delivery options, visit www.thanksgivingfestival.ca. Follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter for more updates.
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About Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival:
Since the first Thanksgiving Festival at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area in 1974, the intention was simple— to raise money for conservation and environmental programs that were not otherwise funded. This remains the purpose of the festival today.
From its humble beginnings as a one-day craft show, the event has become a family tradition. In 2021, the NPCA aims to do the same, and celebrate the fall with a unique, safe, and exciting Festival, unlike any other!
About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 61 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus 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
Mobile: 905-650-4027
enavarro@npca.ca