Niagara-on-the-Lake packs in full day for their 13-for-13 festivities

Despite the fact that their portion of the Canada Games 13-for-13 Festival is being held next Wednesday, August 10, Niagara-on-the-Lake is filling the day with family fun.

The unique 13-for-13 Festival pairs each of Niagara’s 12 municipalities, as well as the region, up with a Canadian province or territory from which they have to draw entertainment.

When Niagara-on-the-Lake was paired with British Columbia, they actually received a $15,000 contribution from BC’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, a windfall not collected by others.

While most Niagara municipalities that draw a weekday show has started their programs at 5 pm or so, NOTL went ahead and opened theirs up for 2 pm at Simcoe Park on Picton St.

They’ll kick it off with a Farmer’s Market (which will run for the length of the day) and followed it at 3:20 pm with a Children Book Reading.

From there at 4 pm, there will be Culinary, Art, and Vendors Program with a Yellow Door Theatre Project Performance at 4:35 pm.

From this point, the music will take over with the local Thomas Nelson Band hitting the stage at 5:45 pm. As bassist and vocalist, Thomas leads the band through a variety of fused musical styles. Thomas’ strong ‘in the pocket’ bass style combined with his sassy vocal delivery of songs from the blues, funk, jazz, R&B and soul song books, is unique fun and entertaining.

At 8 pm, Ottawa-based Hannah Judge, better known as Fanclubwallet, brings her indie stylings on stage. The unique performer swears he hasn’t changed her guitar strings since Grade 6 and uses a children’s keyboard.

And finally, at 9:15 pm, Vancouver Juno-winning indie band Said The Whale, who have topped the alternative radio chart, have also amassed a devoted base of fans who affectionately describe themselves as “SaidHeads.” Now, more than a decade into their career, the Vancouver group are opening their most ambitious chapter yet.

Singer-songwriters Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester, plus keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown and bassist Lincoln Hotchen will bring their high energy set to the stage.