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Canal Days 2024 with GIO

Port Colborne was buzzing this morning as Mayor William Steele welcomed media, sponsors and special guests to share the musical lineup and festival details for the 2024 Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, presented by GIO Rail.

Set to take place Friday, August 2 to Monday, August 5, the 46th annual festival promises to deliver another amazing long weekend of music, family-friendly fun, spectacular fireworks, delicious food, and so much more.

Musical lineup

The Canal Days main stage is once again located in H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. A fabulous musical lineup will hit the stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Civic long weekend.

Festivalgoers can look forward to an eclectic mix of genres that will resonate with all music lovers.

  • Friday, Aug. 2
    • Things will kick off with Port Colborne’s own, 2023 97.7 HTZ-FM Rocksearch winners, Gravely.
    • Vancouver-based rock group Odds will hit the stage next, a cornerstone of alternative music in Canada for more than three decades with hits like “Someone who is Cool” and “It Falls Apart.”
    • Closing out the night is Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane who is ready to captivate Port Colborne with his soulful vocals, energetic stage presence and international hits, including "Life is a Highway" and "Lunatic Fringe."
  • Saturday, Aug. 3
    • First up on Saturday night, Toronto-based punk rockers The OBGMs will share their underground sound.
    • Australian rockers The Lazys will take over the main stage next, with hits that will get the crowd on its feet including “Rattle them Bones” and “Nothing but Trouble.”
    • The evening will wrap up with an unforgettable set from post-hardcore legends Billy Talent when they supercharge an unforgettable Saturday night with hits including “Rusted from the Rain,” “Red Flag” and “Try Honesty.”
  • Sunday, Aug. 4 – Afternoon show
    • New this year for Canal Days, an afternoon show! This matinee will feature Rockabilly quartet The Hellbent Rockers who are sure to wow the audience with their throwback hits.
    • Next up, by popular demand, a Port Colborne favourite, Tim E. Hendry and the Yes Men will play a fantastic tribute to Elvis Presley. Port Colborne is sure to be rockin’ and rollin’ to the king’s hits.
  • Sunday, Aug. 4 – Evening show
    • Ahead of the traditional fireworks at 10 p.m., it will be 80’s retro night in Port Colborne! Kicking off with professional four-piece tribute band The Bomb bringing top new wave dance and party hits from the 1980s.
    • Finally, Canada’s ultimate live video dance party Neon Nostalgic will close the evening when they create an immersive retrospective experience by syncing their show in exact time with music videos from the 1980s to today.

To ensure the health and safety of all concert goers, please note the following rules will be strongly enforced: 

  • No lawn chairs (Friday and Saturday)
    • An accessible seating area is available for individuals with accessibility needs.
    • Picnic benches are also available for concert goers who are unable to sit on the grass or stand for long periods of time.​
  • No coolers or large bags/backpacks
  • Wristbands required 19+
  • Bag checks upon entry
  • No outside alcohol or open beverages
  • No smoking or vaping
  • No pets

Additional diverse musical performances will be offered by participating establishments along and near West Street throughout the festival grounds. Visitors will be able to take their favourite alcoholic beverage to-go and enjoy a variety of music as they walk through the festival grounds, visiting various vendors, and enjoying activities along the way. A full schedule of music, list of vendors, and more will be available at www.canaldays.ca before the festival!

 

Family-friendly Fun

The festival will also see the return of many well-loved signature attractions along with new additions festivalgoers are sure to enjoy. To accommodate more activities and action, the downtown festival footprint has been expanded for 2024 to include Clarence Street between West Street and the west side of King George Park (King Street will remain open for traffic).

  • Empire Sandy Tall Ship Cruises – Presented by Algoma Central Corporation and Allied Marine and Industrial, the Empire Sandy offers a rare opportunity to cruise through the locks of the Welland Canal or out on beautiful Lake Erie. Tickets for these cruises are already on sale at www.canaldays.ca
  • Experience Boating – New this year, a mini boat show will be integrated right into the festival – boat test drives and all! This activity can’t be missed!
  • Marine Vessel Tours – Visitors to Canal Days will find an impressive array of tall ships, a working fire boat and more. This year’s vessel deck tours include the Lettie G. Howard and the E.M. Cotter Fireboat.
  • Kids Zone – Presented by South Coast Homes, the Kids Zone is in a new location this year at King George Park. It will offer tons of family-friendly fun including bouncy castles, foam parties and more!
  • Recreation Zone – Operated by the YMCA and sponsored by the St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation, the Rec Zone will be located on West Street and will have tons of great new fun activities including axe throwing, cornhole, rock climbing and more.
  • The Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum – Visit the place where Canal Days began in 1979, with free admission. Experience historical reenactments, heritage displays and demonstrations, marine activities and much more.
  • Sewell’s NAPA Automotive Annual Classic Car Show – The annual car show will cruise into the T.A. Lannan Sports Complex, 550 Elizabeth Street on Sunday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The Indoor Craft Show –The craft show returns to the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, 550 Elizabeth Street, on Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Lighthouse Tours – Lighthouse tours operate Friday, Aug. 2 to Monday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up for tours at Sugarloaf Marina.
  • Midway Carnival – The Midway will be located on King Street and will feature carnival games and rides. It will be open throughout all four days of the festival.
  • The Boat Parade of Lights – A floating parade of illuminated boats will sail through the Welland Canal prior to the Sunday evening Fireworks Spectacular along historic West Street.
  • Fireworks Spectacular – Presented by Rankin Construction and Port Colborne Quarries, this annual tradition will be held Sunday, Aug. 4 at 10 p.m. (pending Seaway traffic). Watch from West Street along the Welland Canal or from the concert grounds at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park for an exhilarating fireworks show. Thank you to RedBoss Pyrotechnicians for preparing a great show again this year!

Be sure to check out the 2024 Canal Days promotional video on YouTube: 

Volunteers

Looking to volunteer at Canal Days? Positions are currently available. To volunteer, email volunteers@portcolborne.ca, call 905-835-2900, or complete our online application form.


To stay up to date with information about the 46th Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, presented by GIO Rail, visit www.canaldays.ca, like us on Facebook (@CanalDays), or follow us on Instagram (@CanalDaysPC).