Welland Celebrates 150th Birthday
Posted by Dennis
July 23rd, 2008
It’s a birthday wish that’s finally coming true: Welland’s Main Street Bridge will light up the sky Wednesday evening in recognition of the city’s 150th anniversary.
People are invited to Merritt Park to see the bridge light up at 9:30 p. m.
The idea of lighting up the bridge has been tossed around for years and was attempted a number of years ago, but the lighting then didn’t do it justice, said John Mastroianni, chairman of Heritage Welland.
But this year it has come to fruition with a $30,000 lighting investment from Niagara Region to draw attention to the bridge towers.
Welland Regional Coun. George Marshall said there was an attempt to take the towers down after the bridge became the Region’s responsibility. It may have been cheaper to do so, Marshall said, but it is such a landmark for the city that the towers are still standing.
The bridge was designated a historical landmark by Heritage Welland (formerly the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee), and has been undergoing major renovations since 2006.
The bridge was built between 1927 and 1930, during the construction of the Fourth Welland Canal and was one of the three largest vertical lift bridges on the canal.
Schedule of events
Park Polito Guest speakers, cake served, Sciensational Sssnakes, Clowns Face Painting, Niagara Inflatables 12pm Thursday, July 24 Official ceremony — 6:45pm
MC — Dan McLean, CH TV Singing of O Canada by Adrianna
Singing of Happy Birthday
IlluminAqua — 7:30 pm Friday, July 25
Performing Arts Showcase
Star fire Theatre: Trinity United Church, 5 pm to 8 pm — also runs throughout weekend, Saturday 5 to 8 pm and Sunday 2 to 4 pm
IlluminAqua 7:30 pm Saturday, July 26
Kids Day in Merritt Park — 11 am to 5 pm
Pedal Boat Rides along waterway
IlluminAqua 7:30 pm Sunday, July 27 Market Square — 12:30 pm to 6:00pm
Classic Car Show and concert series
Youth Concert behind Civic Centre: 6pm to 9pm, featuring: Attack in Black, Street Pharmacy
Event found at St. Catharines Standard 07/22/08