The annual family tradition returns to Ball’s Falls better than ever!
More than 150 unique artisans, crafters, local farmers, and talented musicians from across the country will once again descend upon Ball’s Falls Conservation Area for the 48th Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival, Oct. 7-10.
Guests will engage in this longstanding familiar Niagara tradition. In addition to shopping for arts, crafts, and wares, visitors they enjoy the incredible beauty and scenery within the majestic Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Valley Creek ecosystem. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Thanksgiving Festival and explore the colourful forested trails.
“We’re thrilled to say that the Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is back with a few changes and additions to return to its full glory!” says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Areas Programs and Services at Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. “We’re incredibly grateful for the community's support these last couple of years as it allowed us to keep the tradition alive during difficult times with virtual and modified Festival programming. With that in mind, we have planned a fantastic long weekend for everyone to experience nature, arts, culture, history, shopping, and fall harvest fun all in one place.”
Guests will experience history in a dynamic and immersive way by visiting the Heritage Village, where there will be blacksmithing, wood carving, handweaving, and spinning demonstrations. Take tours of the original Victorian-era Ball Family home, historical chapel, and the original grist mill, operating as it did in 1809. Fresh ground flour from the grist mill will be available for purchase at $7 per bag or $10 for two.
To take in the full beauty of the conservation area, guests will have a chance to step into nature with both guided and self-guided hikes along the natural trails at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and learn about Niagara Escarpment geology with the Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark. Families can watch exciting bird-of-prey shows hosted by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy and thrilling magic shows by entertainers, including Calvin’s Magic. Children will especially love free face painting by Masquerade and train rides by Niagara Antique Power. Additional activities are available for a low cost, such as pony rides.
The Festival will feature Niagara’s best local wine and craft beer from Niagara’s own Bench Brewing, Calamus Winery, Newark Brewing Company, Flat Rock Cellars, and Redstone Winery. The ever-popular Farmer’s Market will welcome Weiland Orchard, Farmer Don, Langside Farms Organic Garlic, Happy Bees Apiary, and Food 4 Life Market Garden, among others.
Diverse flavours from local craft food vendors and food trucks such as Get Your Own Taters, La Casetta Catering, and The Poutine Supreme will be on-site, offering the perfect pairings to your beverages. Satisfy your hunger with other delectable options, including Ontario Corn Roasters, Wandering Bean Coffee, and Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream.
This year’s entertainment line-up, presented by Giant FM and Country 89, will appeal to audiences of all ages and everyone’s unique musical palate with fan favorites like Jonesy, Aaron Allen, Haley Verrall, Ryan Langdon, and Elyse Saunders. They will be joined by several other great musicians and entertainers on the main stage all weekend long.
The Festival runs from Friday, October 7 to Monday, October 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8.50 per adult and $6.50 for seniors and children ages 3-11. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the gate upon arrival. This event is rain or shine. Service Dogs Only.
Ball’s Falls Conservation Area is located in Lincoln, Ontario – South of Vineland. Parking is available off Seventh Avenue, and accessible parking is provided to permit holders at the Centre for Conservation. Visitors are encouraged to use alternate routes to Victoria Avenue to avoid traffic congestion and buy tickets online to avoid long line-ups at the admissions gate.
For Festival details, including entertainment schedule and vendors list, visit www.thanksgivingfestival.ca.
For more information on Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, visit www.npca.ca. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.
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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 2022, it will celebrate the fall with a unique and exciting Festival unlike any other!
The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival is a significant fundraiser for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, with revenues directed to Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and the NPCA’s various conservation, recreation, and education programs and projects.
About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 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 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.
Media inquiries related to the above release should be directed to:
Erika Navarro, Communications Specialist
Mobile: 905-650-4027
enavarro@npca.ca