Top Hat Ceremony in Port Colborne next week

Port Colborne will celebrate the opening of the Welland Canal and the start of the 2023 shipping season next week with a traditional Top Hat Ceremony. Mayor Bill Steele, along with representatives from federal and provincial governments and the marine industry, will welcome the captain of the first downbound vessel for a brief ceremony and light breakfast on Wednesday morning to celebrate the annual milestone. The Port Colborne Fair Trade Committee will be providing a pancake breakfast with hot chocolate, tea and coffee. Beginning at 8am at Lock 8 Gateway Park, with the ceremony to follow at 8:30. The Top Hat Ceremony will also be livestreamed on the City’s Facebook page and uploaded to the City’s YouTube channel when the event is over.