explore the UNIQUE HISTORY of Downtown St. Catharines

Downtown Heritage Walking Tour

     Take a stroll through Downtown St. Catharines, home to some of the most historical buildings in the region. Let our tour guides transport you back to when it was all just beginning, before two way traffic construction, before paved roads, when St. Catharines was not much more then a tavern, a hotel and some small shops. Learn about the building where in a dark corner, the concept for the Welland Canal was born, a concept that would forever change the landscape and economy of our city. Find out about how pigs aided in the discovery of natural salt springs running through our downtown, making it a world class health destination for jet setters from all over North America.

     On the 5^th of April - September at 7pm, join us on a Heritage Walk of the Downtown Core where these stories, and many more, which detail how our city became what it is today, are told in a 90 minute, easy paced walk through the downtown core. 

      Tickets are $8.00 per person and group bookings and private tours are available.

      Tours are limited to 20 people and fill up quickly so be sure to book your reservation soon.

      Advance tickets and can be arranged by calling (905) 685-8424 or e-mail elizabeth@stcathdowntown.com.

Join us on an eerie walk about Downtown, listen to stories of hauntings, apparitions, spirits at various buildings along with the history behind them.

We have 2 walks available again this year!

Tour A (original) - James St. to Yates Street areas 
Includes The Merrit House, Queen St. Axe Murder, Jenny Pincock stories and more...

Tour B (new) - James St to Court Street area
Includes the Haunted Vet, Diana Sweets, The Pole Walking Ghost stories and more...

Please specify if you are interested in a specific tour when booking - as both tours may not be available each night!

Tours run nightly starting at 7pm sharp, admission is $8.00 pp

Advance tickets are required, groups are limited to 20 ppl and the walks sell out quickly

Please call for more information or to inquire about private/group bookings, or to make reservations....

Mon - Fri (9a - 4p)  # 905-685-8424 or email  ghost(at)stcathdowntown(dot)com

Please note that private/group tours can be made at any time throughout the year.

The walks cover around 20 blocks, and take about 75 minutes. The guides walk at an easy pace, stopping outside of the locations. The walks do not enter any buildings. There are 2 walks and they cover different sections of downtown.  Route A (the original walk) covers the west end of downtown; Route B (the newer walk) covers the east end of downtown. Both routes are not available each night; availability depends on our guides schedules and is subject to change. If you would like a specific route please indicate that with your reservation and we will do our best to accommodate it. The stories on the walk are documented accounts and can be disturbing to younger children. We suggest that attendees be over 10 yrs of age, or please request to book one of our Little Spooks walks.  

Walks are limited to about 20 people per guide, this keeps an intimate feeling as well as the group being about to hear the guide and stay together during the walk. During October many nights we schedule multiple walks – although we advertise the walks start at 7pm, they may actually start later than that.

Full Moon History & Haunts Walks |  each full moon in 2011

Did you know that lurking spirits cause the shivers one experiences when hearing ghost stories? Don’t believe it? Reserve your spot on one of the Full Moon History and Haunts Walking Tour and explore the history and haunted tales of Downtown St. Catharines, tours run each full moon  from April - November

These guided tours will delve into the haunted tales of the past and the present day while also sharing historic commentary about the unique buildings and happenings in Downtown St. Catharines: the mystery of the Merritt House, the haunting of the old Court House, the apparitions seen on Queen Street and many more...

Advance reservations or tickets are required: by phone (905) 685-8424 or e-mail ghost@stcathdowntown.com.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults and group bookings are available.

Upcoming Full Moon Walks: Thurs. Nov. 10 @ 7pm .. tickets still available

“Home Sweet Home”

Building Hope with Gingerbread

Supporting the Homeless Women’s Shelters of the YWCA Niagara Region

WHO:              The St Catharines Downtown Association and The St Catharines YWCA are hosting St Catharines’ first gingerbread house contest with proceeds benefiting the YWCA Niagara Region Emergency Shelters and programs.

WHAT:            The ‘Home Sweet Home’ contest is a fun spirited competition where professionals and members of the community can enter their own gingerbread house creation to compete against other teams. Several categories will be available to enter such as: professional, adult, teen, youth and child. Individuals or teams can enter each of the categories and will be judged by a panel of local dignitaries and celebrities.

WHEN:           Saturday December 3, 2011

                         Intake of houses                                         8:00am – 10:00am

                         Public viewing and judging                     10:00am – 3:00pm

                         Awards Ceremony                                     3:00pm – 4:00pm                                               

* To be eligible for the competition, a signed and completed entry form, description and entry fee NOW EXTENDED to Fri., Nov. 25, 2011.

WHER         80 King Street Building (Old Corbloc), 80 King St., St. Catharines, ON  L2R 7G1

AD              A nominal entry fee of $30 is applicable to those who wish to enter the contest.

This event is FREE to the public; however the gingerbread houses will be raffled off following the judging ceremony, with all proceeds going towards the YWCA.

Each entry is considered a ‘donation’ to the YWCA fundraiser. The entry fees will cover trophies/prizes and facility expenses for the kick off event.

Competition Rules here     

Competition Entry Form here

For more information visit http://www.12daysdowntown.ca/

Event Contact – Elizabeth Fritshaw

Tel: 905-685-8424

Email: elizabeth@stcathdowntown.com

Watch interview on Cogeco TV's Keep In Touch with Don Pierson and Elizabeth Fritshaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTFvxMx4aOg

Sunday November 27, 2011

Join us at the annual Santa Parade as it winds it's way through Downtown (William St to St. Paul Street to James Street to Market Square). Parade starts at 2:30pm and finishes up with the arrival of Santa at Market Square for a huge family party! Reindeer rides, crafts, live entertainment and hot chocolate will all be at the Market Square for everyone to enjoy!

For more information visit City of St. Catharines website

For a full listing of merchants, restaurants and businesses participating, calendar of activites please visit: www.12daysdowntown.ca

Downtown Pewter Ornaments

For sale at these fine retailers…

• Honey’s … 1 St. Paul Street … # 905-685-6116

• George Coppel Jewellers … 261 St. Paul Street … # 905-685-0122

• Ryson’s Music Studios … 5 Court Street … #905-682-6832

• Thre3 Interiors … 9 Queen Street … # 905-984-6988

• Walters Jewellers … 469 St. Paul Street … # 905-682-7160

• Williams Jewellers … 38 James Street … #905-682-3621

Ornaments are $15.00 + HST … all past years still available:

• 2011 St. Catharines Club 
• 2010 Montebello Park
• 2009 Silver Spire United Church
• 2008 The Merritt House
• 2007 St. Catharines City Hall
• 2006 St. Thomas Anglican Church
• 2005 The Mansion House
• 2004 The Old Courthouse (very limited quantities remain!)

Downtown D'Lish!

January 20 - 29, 2012

The St. Catharines Downtown Association is once again holding one of downtown’s most popular food events; Downtown D'Lish. Back with a fresh new name, this mouth-watering event takes place from January 20 - 29, 2012, and allows visitors to experience various downtown restaurant menus at a fixed price. Guests can enjoy a three course lunch starting at $10, or a three course dinner ranging from $15 to $35. There is no better time to visit your favourite downtown restaurant, or discover a new one.

Reservations should be made directly with the restaurants, and you must quote “Downtown D'lish” when making your reservation.  

Take advantage of the FREE parking in the newly opened Carlisle Street parking garage, The City is offering free parking till Jan. 31, 2012 

For complete details including full list of restaurants, menu's and pricing please visit - www.downtowndlish.ca