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Residents of the City of St. Catharines are encouraged to get a head start on summer this weekend as the City is offering plenty of family-friendly entertainment. Everything from the opening of the Lakeside Park Carousel to a hot tub show is on the docket, so check out the list below for what is going on at your favourite attractions.
Lakeside Park Carousel
Everyone’s favourite historic carousel opens at Lakeside Park on Saturday, May 20 for its 102nd season. The Friends of the Carousel have been working hard to ensure the hand-carved animals and chariots are ready to ride from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays until July 1, and then daily until Sept. 5. The Carousel remains 5 cents a ride or admission by donation.
Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm
Find a variety of farm animals, a recently renovated and accessible playground, access to a waterfront trail and more at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm. The farm, located at 650 Read Rd., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day beginning May 20. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/HappyRolphs.
Splash pads
Make a splash at Bogart Street Park, Catherine Street Park, Lester B. Pearson Park and West Park as City splash pads open for the season on Friday, May 19, weather permitting. Splash pads will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/SplashPads.
Morningstar Mill
The Morningstar Mill heritage site at Decew Falls opens for the season on May 20. Tours of the grist mill and Morningstar home are by donation. The Morningstar Mill site also provides access to the nearby Bruce Trail. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/MorningstarMill.
St. Catharines Farmers Market
Head downtown to Market Square on Saturday, between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the St. Catharines Farmers Market. Enjoy live music beginning at 10:30 a.m. by Barley Brae and learn gardening tips and tricks at the discovery table. The market will also host the Foster Festival as part of our ongoing Community Engagement Series. Find more information about the market and its vendors at stcatharines.ca/FarmersMarket.
Garden City Golf Course
Go for the green at the Garden City Golf Course all weekend, including Victoria Day Monday. The par-60 executive course will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 37 Lincoln Ave. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Golf. Seasonal pricing is offered April and May and September until the end of the season.
Parks and trails
Get out and explore the approximately 1,000 acres of parks, gardens, trails, and open greenspace St. Catharines has to offer. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Trails.
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
Dive into the pool for lengths or leisure swims, with times available throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday at the Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Advance registration is required at stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC.
Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
The weather may be warming up, but the arena is still perfectly cool. Public skating times are available for Saturday and Sunday. Pre-registration is encouraged. Please visit stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC for more details.
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend, including the holiday Monday. Explore exhibits like Last Stop: In Their Own Words and the new W.H. Merritt Gallery featuring a new exhibit about the history of the Welland Canals or watch from the viewing platform as a ship makes its way through Lock 3 of the Welland Ship Canal.
Beginning May 23, the museum will be open late until 8 p.m., every Tuesday until October 3.
Admission is by donation. Learn more at stcatharinesmuseum.ca.
The Film House at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Prefer to relax and take in a film? The Film House has an exciting lineup for Saturday with Suzume at 3 p.m., Carmen at 6 p.m. and The Maiden at 9 p.m. There is another impressive lineup on Sunday, including Tori and Lokita at 3 p.m. and Twice Colonized at 6 p.m. Learn more at firstontariopac.ca.
St. Catharines Public Library
All St. Catharines Public Library locations, including Port Plus, will be closed on Monday, May 22. The library will be open on Saturday, May 20, offering the Movie at Central: Strange World and Copperplate Script Workshop programs.
Meridian Centre
The Meridian Centre will be hosting a hot tub and spa show on Friday, May 19 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free and free parking is available in the front lot.
Closures
The following City facilities will be closed on Victoria Day, Monday, May 22:
- City Hall
- The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre
- St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
- City arenas
- Russell Avenue Community Centre
- Port Weller Community Centre
- Dunlop Drive and West St. Catharines older adult centres
- Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)
Residents planning to celebrate the holiday with fireworks are reminded that they may only light them on the holiday and the day before and after it. Please also be aware that particles from discharged fireworks may land outside of your property. It is good practice to only set off fireworks in a large open space. For more information on using or buying fireworks and tips for using them safely please visit stcatharines.ca/Fireworks.
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