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Niagara Falls, Ontario
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Everything about Niagara Falls Ontario totally explained
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city of 82,184 residents
| Niagara Falls climate normals from Environment Canada |
In 2006, the population of Niagara Falls was 82,184 persons (External Link ), an increase of 4.3 percent from the previous 2001 census, slightly below national growth, while the metropolitan area enumerated 427,421 people. The population of Niagara Falls is older than Canada in general in terms of age structure. Youths under 14 years of age number 18.09%, while those of retirement age number 17.03% showing a continuous ageing trend. Some 5,130 (6.57%) inhabitants described themselves visible minorities (non-white/non-European) (External Link).
83.97% of Niagara Falls city residents self-identified with Christian denominations. The largest denominations consist of Catholic (41.99%), Protestant (36.80%), and 5.18% other Christian mostly Orthodox, 14.10% claimed no religious affiliation, while minor religions (1.93%) including Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim accounted for the rest.
Communities
Niagara Falls Neighbourhoods
Cherrywood Acres
Clifton Hill
Downtown
Drummond Hill
Drummondville
Fallsview
Lundy's Lane
River Road
Stamford Village
Whirlpool/Glenview
Rolling Acres (Niagara Falls)
Caliguiro Estates (Niagara Falls)
Chippawa (Niagara Falls)
Business and Tourist Centers
Clifton Hill District
Fallsview
Lundy's Lane
Economy
With a plentiful and inexpensive source of hydroelectric power via the waterfalls, many electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical industries located here in the early to mid-20th century.
Industry began moving out of the city in the 1970s and 80s because of recession and increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector. Tourism tightened its grip as the city's most important economic engine. It is a more popular destination than Niagara Falls, New York, in part due to the better view of the falls from the Canadian side. Also, Ontario's drinking age of 19 (compared to the 21 drinking age in the United States) attracts many 19 and 20-year-olds from the United States to the bars on the Canadian side.
In the mid-1990s the Ontario government introduced legal wagering to the local economy with Casino Niagara. The late-1990s witnessed an economic boom as numerous luxury hotels and tourist attractions were built. The first casino was followed in 2004 by the larger Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Upon launching, the casino business was successful in attracting American tourists due to the then lower Canadian dollar. However, with the United States Dollar now lower than parity, the Seneca Niagara Casino open on the American side, and a casino facility coming to Buffalo, New York, as well as impending passport requirements on the American side, the local tourist economy isn't without potential problems.
The recent development has been almost completely centred on the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas. The Niagara Falls downtown strip continues to suffer considerable decay, with much of the Queen Street retail area now vacant. The downtown area was a major centre for local commerce and night life up until the 1970s, when the development of the Niagara Square shopping mall began to draw away crowds and retailers. In 2006, New York City based developer Aaron Lichtman proposed a major investment in the area to encourage new retail development; the proposal, titled Historic Niagara, remains dependent on government funding of complementary services. As of February 2007, the project appeared stalled (External Link).
Government
Niagara Falls City Council consists of 8 councilors and 1 Mayor. City elections take place every 4 years with the next election in November 2010. Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities.
Education
Niagara Falls has two post-secondary institutions as well is served by the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board which operate elementary and secondary schools in the region. There are also numerous private institutions offer alternatives to the traditional education systems.
Post Secondary
Brock University in St. Catharines
Niagara College in Welland, with campuses in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
High Schools
Saint Michael Catholic High School
Westlane Secondary School
Stamford Collegiate
A N Myer Secondary School
Saint Paul Catholic High School
Library
Niagara Falls is also served by a growing library system composed of four branches, with the main branch located in the downtown area. It is visited by over 10,000 people weekly. The Niagara Falls Public Library system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Niagara Falls. An extensive online database exists with over 20,000 photographs
and art works at Historic Niagara Digital Collections
Culture and Events
Winter Festival of Lights
The Winter Festival of Lights (WFOL) is Canada's foremost illumination festival. The 26th annual event runs from November 8, 2008 to January 5, 2009. It includes over 3 million sparkling tree and ground lights and more than 100 animated light displays, including the world-famous Enchantment of Disney displays depicting long loved Disney classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, modern classics like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, and the most recent additions, Pirates of the Caribbean and Cars. It also includes a brilliant, two-storey high Zimmerman Fountain display created using LED technology; the world's largest, illuminated Canadian-American Flag display; an angelic Nativity Scene display; North America's largest, illuminated Menorah display, and many other wondrous displays. The majority of the illuminations can be found within the Niagara Parks' Winter Wonderland, a 5 km route along the Niagara Parkway, while others can be found along Lundy's Lane (Candy Cane Lane) and new for 2008 within the Fallsview tourist area.
There is no admission fee to enjoy the illuminations but donations are gratefully accepted, with all proceeds used to enhance the lights and displays.
From humble beginnings in 1983, the Winter Festival of Lights continues to enchant and delight the many wintertime visitors to Niagara Falls, Ontario. In its first year of operation, approximately 250,000 people and 35 motorcoaches visited the Winter Festival of Lights. Since then, the celebration has grown tremendously with attendance reaching 1.3 million visitors and over 1,000 motor coaches.
The success of the Niagara Falls, NY Festival of Lights, which began in 1981 inspired the Niagara Falls Canada Visitor and Convention Bureau (now Niagara Falls Tourism), the City of Niagara Falls, The Niagara Parks Commission and numerous local businesses to band together to create a parallel event. Unfortunately, the Niagara Falls, NY event was discontinued in the 1990s.
The tremendous growth of the WFOL has had a positive impact on the local economy. In fact, it was recognized in the 2003 Festivals and Events Ontario Economic Impact Survey as having the largest economic impact ($60+ million) of all festivals in Ontario.
Over the past several years, the Winter Festival of Lights has been recognized for its achievements by many organizations. Awards and recognitions in that time include:
• Attractions Canada - Award for Best Cultural Event (2002)
• WinterLights Celebrations Competition (winter version of Communities in Bloom) – Best Overall Tourism/Promotion Award (2005)
• WinterLights Celebrations Competition (winter version of Communities in Bloom) – Winner in the 50,000+population category - Niagara Falls (2006)
• Festivals & Events Ontario – Best Website and Official Printed Programme (2005); Best Merchandise/Souvenir Idea (2006); Best Newspaper Insert (2007); Best Overall Marketing Campaign (2006 & 2007) all in the $500,000+ budget category
• Festivals & Events Ontario – Top 50 Event (2005, 2006 & 2007) & Top 100 (2008)
• American Bus Association – Top 100 International Known Event (2007 & 2008)
• Niagara Falls Tourism Misty Award for Progressive Development (2007)
The Festival includes a calendar full of festive events, such as:
Disney’s® Beauty and the Beast
December 1, 2008 – January 3, 2009
It’s the classic love story of Belle, a young woman in a small town, and the Beast, who is really a prince trapped in a spell placed on him by an enchantress. This world-class performance rivals any Broadway production you may have seen and is sure to enthrall!
Concerts at the Arena: Randy Travis, Debbie Reynolds, the Stars of Hee Haw
November 30 - December 3, 2008
Niagara Falls Comedy Fest
November 21 & 22, 2008
It features some of the best comedic talent around. Last year featured John Pinette, Brent Butt, Terry McGurrin, Winston Spear, Rodney Pentland and Mark Matthews.
Candy Cane Lane 5k Race & Fun Run
November 23, 2008
The competitive 5k Race includes cash prizes for the top overall male and female runners and medals are awarded to the top male and female finishers in various age categories. Fun Runners may walk, run, use sleighs or skis – the goal is to have fun while enjoying the outdoors.
Fireworks over the Falls
During the Winter Festival of Lights enjoy spectacular fireworks as they explode high over the mighty falls. Enjoy them from the comfort of your hotel's dining room, stay in for a romantic, room service dinner or visit one of the many restaurants found nearby.
Schedule:
Saturday, November 8, 2008 * 6:15 & 8 PM (approx.)
Friday, November 14, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, November 21, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, November 28, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, December 5, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, December 12, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, December 19, 2008 * 9 PM
Friday, December 26, 2008 * 9 PM
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 * 9 PM & MIDNIGHT (as part of the NYE Party)
Friday, January 2, 2009 * 9 PM
Winter Festival Candle Light Stroll
December 13, 2008
Enjoy the romance and magic of a candle light stroll along Queen Street in downtown Niagara Falls. Then join Victorian carolers and listen to the sounds of choirs, barbershop quartets, vocal ensembles, bell ringing choirs, and more. The event also includes a re-enactment of the Live Nativity Scene and a Christmas Storyteller. Bring the children for a visit on Santa’s knee, enjoy hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, and romantic horse & carriage rides.
25th Annual Festival of Lights Cheerleading Championships
December 6 & 7, 2008
It is the longest-running Festival event and attracts teams from Michigan, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario. The competition is judged by the Universal Cheerleaders Association with the top teams from the USA Divisions automatically qualifying for the US National Championship held at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Full event details can be found at www.wfol.com
Sites of Interest
The Niagara Falls tourist sector is centred around the waterfalls and follows the from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. As much of the land adjoined to the river is parkland under the watch of the Niagara Parks Commission many attractions based on the local natural environment have been created. To prolong visitor stays the city of Niagara Falls has a number of additional attractions in close proximity but not related to the natural features, including casinos and entertainment complexes. The Niagara Peninsula is also a significant wine-growing area, with winery tours and festivals becoming a significant area of growth in the local economy.The Canadian side of Niagara Falls has more attractions.
Falls observation related attractions
Maid of the Mist
Journey Behind the Falls
Skylon Tower observation deck
Weekly fireworks over Niagara Falls
Nightly illumination of Niagara Falls
National Helicopters
Niagara Helicopters
Niagara Skywheel
Niagara River and parkway attractions
Niagara Botanical Gardens
Floral Clock
Spanish Aerocar over the Niagara River whirlpool
White Water Walk at the Niagara River rapids
Winter Festival of Lights
Butterfly conservatory
Niagara Heritage Trail
Dufferin Islands
Niagara Parks School of Horticulture
Niagara River Recreation Trail
Whirlpool Jetboat tours of the Niagara Gorge
Numerous parkway golf courses
The Rainbow Carillon, which sounds from the Rainbow Tower
Tourist sector entertainment
Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls — Tourist promenade featuring many arcades, haunted houses, wax museums, and themed restaurants.
Marineland — Aquatic theme park
Casinos-- Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
Major theme restaurants including Planet Hollywood(External Link), Rainforest Cafe(External Link) and the Hard Rock Café(External Link)
IMAX[www.imaxniagara.com] Theatre and daredevil museum
Cirque Niagara — an equestrian / Cirque Nouveau style circus
Greg Frewin Theatre / Las Vegas style magic show.
Skylon Tower(External Link) - Revolving dining towering 774 feet above Niagara gorge.
Fallsview Tourist Area
WWE Niagara Falls(External Link) - World Wrestling Entertainment Store and Ride
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark(External Link)
MGM Studios Plaza
Transportation
Highways
Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls, New York are linked to major highways in Canada and the United States respectively, with the 400-Series highway the Queen Elizabeth Way acting as a major artery between Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. Highway 420 is also another highway in the city. Niagara Parkway is a road operated under the Niagara Parks Commission.
Regional airports
Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Cheektowaga, New York.
Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport in Mount Hope, Ontario.
Niagara Falls International Airport in Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara District Airport in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario.
Shuttle bus services connect the city with all three airports.
Rail
VIA Rail runs out of the Niagara Falls station
Amtrak also has trains connecting it to Toronto and New York City
Bus
Niagara Transit is the public transit operator in the city.
Greyhound Canada has daily runs to and from Toronto and Buffalo, New York.
Coach Canada has daily runs to and from Toronto and Buffalo, New York.
Cabs and shuttlebuses
Niagara Livery Service is a shuttle bus operator for Casino Niagara.
5-0 is a local cab service. A taxi shuttle provides transfers to airports from Buffalo, New York to Niagara Falls, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario.
Media
Niagara Falls is served by two main local newspapers, three radio stations and a community television channel. All other media is regional based, as well from Hamilton, Toronto and nearby Buffalo, New York.
Niagara Falls is considered part of the Toronto television market rather than the Buffalo television market. While Niagara Falls is directly across the Niagara River from the American side of the Buffalo area, Toronto is an hour and a half northwest. However, it's considered part of the Buffalo radio market.
Newspapers
Due to its proximity to Toronto and Buffalo, the local media is dominated by Toronto and Buffalo outlets. Local residents have easy access to the papers like the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun. The Buffalo News is also widely available.
Local newspapers are:
Niagara this Week(External Link)Canada's Largest community newspaper
Niagara Falls Review(External Link)
Radio
710 AM - CJRN, "710 CJRN" Tourist information
101.1 FM - CKEY, "Z101" urban CHR
105.1 FM - CFLZ, "105.1 The River" hot adult contemporary
Television
TV Cogeco is a community channel serving Niagara Falls.
CIII-TV55, a Global transmitter from nearby Fort Erie
CHCH from Hamilton, Ontario and serves the Niagara Region.
Sports
Notable People From Niagara Falls
Jay Triano - Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach & former Captain and later Head Coach of the Canadian National Men's Basketball team
Daneen Boone - actress
Billy Cupolo - former NHLer
Stephan Moccio - Musician, Arranger, Composer
James Cameron - Director
Eddie Greenspan - Lawyer
Brian Greenspan - Lawyer
Gord Singleton - Olympic cyclist
Brabara (Rosberg) Frum - television journalist
Derek Sanderson - NHL player
Rob Nicolson - Minister of Justice and Attorney General for CanadaFurther Information
Get more info on 'Niagara Falls Ontario'.
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