Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

Source: The Review

Speedway proposal goes to Region
Posted By RAY SPITERI Review Staff Writer

Over to you, Niagara Region.

The Canadian Motor Speedway proposal, which was endorsed by Fort Erie town council after a lengthy meeting Monday night, will be discussed during a regional planning session today.

And while it’s not expected to be as raucous and boisterous a meeting as Monday’s, how the region receives the project will go a long way in determining the future of the multi-million dollar proposal.

“I do believe it needs to be supported right now,” said Fort Erie Reg. Coun. Shirley Cordiner. “I think we need to look at we (in Fort Erie) may not get something this big for a long, long time. If we don’t support it, no one else will come to our community to look at opening a big project.”

Cordiner, who attended Monday’s meeting at the Leisureplex banquet hall, said she understands the nature of the objections raised by opponents, especially concerns about noise. (more…)

Haunted Hamilton presents a Haunted Niagara Bus Trip
Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Join Haunted Hamilton as they embark on their 12th Haunted Niagara Bus Trip, stopping at various haunted locations along the way!
Transportation is fully provided via a chartered coach bus taking us to each location on the itinerary!

They will be stopping at all the infamous haunted locations en route to Niagara including The Screaming Tunnel, Drummond Hill Cemetery and the old Stone Jug (Niagara Falls’ old abandoned Custom House). And to top the evening off, they’ll be heading over the border for an exclusive sunset tour and paranormal investigation of the historic and very haunted Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York! They will have full interior access to the entire 1726 castle! During this trip last year, they held a seance in the main room and it was definitely interesting! (and spooky!) This was so successful that they have added an extra hour at the Fort!

NOTE: You MUST have your PASSPORT to go over the border
for our Evening Investigation at Fort Niagara.
(more…)

Originally Printed in the Review

Friendly gesture made at FE fest
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

There were dark clouds lingering over Lake Erie for much of Canada Day.

But the threat of rain didn’t deter the masses from descending on Mather Arch and the Niagara Parkway near the Peace Bridge for the opening day of Fort Erie’s annual Friendship Festival.

Thousands came out to enjoy the party, which is scheduled to continue through the weekend.

“It has been great so far,” said Flo Odding, the festival’s general manager. “The crowds have been steady. There has been a lot of flags flying, smiles on kids faces. We’re showing who we are today. A lot of spirit.” (more…)

Originally printed by the Review

Passports affecting plans for Friendship Festival
Posted By JOHN LAW

FORT ERIE – Rest assured, it’s still called the Friendship Festival. But manager Flo Odding wishes there was a friendlier vibe this year.

As feared, new border regulations have put a damper on this year’s festivities, as many American visitors – not to mention artists and entertainers – are unable to attend because they still do not have a passport. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Live, from Queen Street
It’s Fort Erie’s Gypsy Theatre, eager to be part of downtown Niagara Falls
Posted By JOHN LAW , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

It didn’t take long for the deja vu to hit John Dalingwater and Bernadette Feeney.

Nearly 20 years ago, during a lousy economy, they refurbished an old building in downtown Fort Erie into a new theatre.

Here they are again, fixing up an old downtown building, opening a new theatre, dealing with another recession. Only this time -like the gypsies they’re named after -they’re on the move.

In May, the Niagara theatre company will open a sister stage in Niagara Falls at the former Seneca movie theatre on Queen Street. (more…)

Printed by the Review

‘NASCAR … is a vision in people’s minds’
Racing association denies it’s holding event in Fort Erie
Posted By JOHN LAW REVIEW STAFF WRITER

A proposed racetrack for Fort Erie was never pitched using the NASCAR brand name.

So, why can’t cynics and headline writers stop bringing it up, wonders the general manager of the town’s Economic Development and Tourism Corp.

“The release which was made public indicated it’s an international motor speedway complex, and we told people we’re not relying on NASCAR,” said Jim Thibert, referring to last week’s announcement of a $200-million, 65,000-seat track planned near the QEW, between Gilmore Road and Bowen Road. (more…)

“There’s nothing being said about NASCAR and we did not talk about NASCAR. NASCAR, unfortunately, is a vision in people’s minds.”

Printed by the Review

No NASCAR at proposed Fort Erie track
Posted By JOHN LAW

FORT ERIE – A proposed race track for Fort Erie was never pitched using the NASCAR brand name.

So why can’t cynics and headline writers stop bringing it up, wonders the president of the town’s Economic Development and Tourism Corp.

“The release which was made public indicated it’s an international motor speedway complex, and we told people we’re not relying on NASCAR,” said Jim Thibert, referring to last week’s announcement of a $200 million, 65,000-seat track planned near the QEW, between Gilmore Road and Bowen Road.  (more…)

Printed by the Review
October 15th, 2008

International motor speedway complex announced for Fort Erie
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO Review Staff Writer

A $200-million foreign investment is being made to bring in a major motor-sport speedway, entertainment and commercial complex to Fort Erie.

“It’s on the road to being a done deal,” Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin announced during a press conference at city hall on Tuesday afternoon.

The investment consortium is led by Kuwaiti Islamic investment bank Bayt Al Mal Investments.

Martin just returned from a trip to Dubai, along with Jim Thibert, general manager of the Town’s Economic Development and Tourism Corp., along with Sandra Pupatello, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

“This is a good opportunity for investment in Niagara that will help to bring tourists back to our area,” said Martin.

Bayt Al Mal has purchased 623 acres of land in Fort Erie, six kilometres from the US-Canadian border, where it plans to build the complex.

Initially, there will be a 65,000 seat facility, which can be expanded to 100,000 seats, and will encompass a one-mile oval track and 2.5 mile road course.

“About 1,200 people will be working on this site to get it prepared. You are looking at about two years worth of construction and that’s good for the economy of Niagara and for Fort Erie,” said Martin.

The project, he added, will help create jobs year-round and not just certain times of the year because a number of different things are planned, some of which cannot be revealed at this time. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Track, casinos sharing makes ‘great deal of sense’
But Sadinsky wants government to decide specifics
Posted By BY COREY LAROCQUE REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Niagara’s two commercial casinos could help the Fort Erie Race Track in a lot of different ways if they were under the same financial umbrella, says Stanley Sadinsky, the head of a panel that published a study on reviving Ontario’s horse-racing industry.

When Sadinsky’s report, “It’s All About Leadership,” was released Tuesday it suggested Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Niagara and Caesars Windsor could “assist” the operation of the racetracks in Fort Erie and Windsor.

But the report lacked specific proposals about how to do that -deliberately so, said Sadinsky, a Queen’s University law professor and former chairman of Ontario Lottery and Gaming. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Diverse lineup planned for Friendship Festival
Theory of a Dead Man, The Spoons, Teenage Head and Helix on bill
Posted By BY ALISON LANGLEY REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Theory of a Dead Man will take centre stage later this month at the annual Fort Erie Friendship Festival.

News that the Vancouver-based trio will be performing has caused “quite a bit excitement,” said Lyn Royce, resource development officer with Fort Erie Festivals.

Singer Tyler Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back released their self-titled debut album in 2002.

The Juno winners recently released their third album “Scars and Souvenirs.”

Live music has long been a popular draw at the annual festival which runs from June 27 to July 1.

Teenage Head with Nash The Slash, The Spoons and Helix will entertain the crowds June 28.

Theory of a Dead Man, with Shiloh and The Joys, will perform June 30.

The 22nd annual festival be held near Mather Arch, spread out over five acres of Niagara Parks Commission waterfront land.
(more…)