The annual Grape and Wine Festival has been a fixture of St. Catharines for almost 70 years. As the largest wine festival in Canada, the event celebrates the grape harvest with local food, live music, parades and activities for all ages. With its relaxed feel and enjoyable atmosphere, the event offers something fun for everyone.
The two-weekend event takes place at Montebello Park and showcases over 100 Niagara wines by established wineries and up-and-coming winemakers. Festival-goers can attend tastings to learn more about their favourite wines. Or, for an even more educating experience, they can participate in the wine seminars hosted by the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University.
For younger guests, the Grape and Wine Festival hosts a Pied Piper Parade for ages 2-12. The parade takes place in the park and children are encouraged to dress in costumes that express their creativity. There are many kid-friendly activities including a “Fun Zone”.
On the second weekend of the festival, the Grande Parade takes place in the downtown core of St. Catharines. The parade attracts nearly 70,000 spectators who can take in the sights and sounds of live music, parade floats and performers like dancers and acrobats.
If you plan on attending the Grande Parade, we recommend you arrive early and find parking on a side street to avoid parade route closures throughout the main streets of James, Church, Ontario and St. Paul. The City of St. Catharines provides a list for special event parking.
As you wait for the parade to start, we recommend you visit one of our favourite local coffee shops like Craft Espresso Bar or the Brazen Café. Or if you’re craving something sweet, visit Beechwood Doughnuts - we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Our McGarr Realty team counts the Grape and Wine Festival as one of our favourite events of the year! We love taking part in such a unique event that celebrates our vibrant community. In fact, we love it so much that we are the title sponsor for the Sommelier Lounge for the second year in a row.
We also love showing our clients how they can enjoy the community event of the year, right in their own backyard! Potential buyers can find condos for sale in the hub of downtown. Yates Street Condominiums offer luxurious suites that are just minutes from Montebello Park. Imagine being able to take in the gorgeous valley views before joining friends and family for a day at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. That sounds like a perfect day to us!
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Looking to find a place that’s close to the best events in the community? Our team at McGarr Realty can help you find a home or condo for sale that’s right for you!
Call our office at 905-687-9229 in St. Catharines, or 905-468-9229 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Or send us a message via our contact page, HERE.
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