Running every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 8th to the 24th, the Grape and Wine Festival provides the community with a variety of fun activities and events.
The festival was established in 1951 and began as a local harvest festival. Since then, it has grown substantially and has evolved into a year-round event that is considered to be the oldest and largest celebration of its kind in Canada.
Every year, the Grape and Wine Festival provides a stage and an audience for a multitude of local bands. This year, they toted a 50+ hour lineup. The past three weekends have been full of live music; bands such as The Postmen, The Mandeville’s and Avenue Inn taking the stage in St. Catharines’ Montebello Park. The Grape and Wine Festival is certainly an affordable way for Brock students to steep themselves in the Niagara region’s profound and diverse music culture.
In the Experience Zone in Montebello Park, the festival held booths for local vendors. Ranging from Anger and Artistry, a local hair stylist; to Henna 4 You, one of Niagara’s wonderful henna artists; the Experience Zone was a great place to meet new people and feel like your best self.
For many years, the Grape and Wine Festival’s biggest hitter was the Grande Parade. At 11 a.m on Sept. 23rd, St. Catharines’ downtown core turned into one long parade route. With dancing, parade floats and live music, the streets came alive with thousands of enthusiastic locals ready to party.
The Grande Parade allows dozens of small businesses such as dance studios, brass band groups and bagpipers to roam the streets to promote their services. It’s a great way for people to learn about what the city has to offer while also giving people of all ages the opportunity to perform for an excited crowd.
The parade was a free event and a great place for Brock students to browse their communities’ cultural offerings. If you are looking to join a local dance troupe or try your hand at singing lessons, the parade’s diverse offerings are a great place to scope out a new hobby.
Brock University itself had a float that students could sign up for. The St. Catharines’ downtown core was full of Badgers, dancing and singing along to the tunes of local band Figure Four. Signing up for the float can be a great way for students to make friends while showcasing their Badger pride to the rest of the community.
For over 70 years, the Grape and Wine Festival has provided an outlet for many of Niagara’s growing artists. Whether that is music, visual art or dance, the festival has provided artists with the venue they need to promote themselves.
The Grape and Wine Festival is a great place for Brock students to get involved, all while learning about their communities’ vast offerings.
For more information on the Grape and Wine Festival, visit their website.