centre

Organizers are expecting a “really big crowd” to turn out for a sport and recreation fair at MacBain Community Centre April 15.

The City of Niagara Falls’ recreation and culture department is hosting a one-stop shop for families to discover programs and activities such as martial arts, dance, music, soccer, baseball and rowing.

The event is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. at the centre, located at Montrose and McLeod roads.

Attendance for families is free and registration is not required.

More than 40 organizations are scheduled to participate.

DJ Brooks, a recreation assistant with the city, said the fair held last year was “very well attended.”

“That was kind of in conjunction with the MacBain opening back up after COVID, just trying to help all of our community partners and get the word out that everything was kind of up and running again,” he said.

“I think we had 28 or 30 vendors – we have 40 plus a few more (this year). We’ve had to turn away groups that aren’t necessarily in Niagara Falls because we had such a huge response.”

Brooks said sport and recreation is in “high demand.”

“Kids and families are back participating. We’re expecting a really big crowd. We’re hoping that we get a lot of the community out as well to see all the different things that are available in our community,” he said.

“We know that the vendors, for sure – the community groups – are excited about it, so we’re hoping the community participates as well.”

Brooks said organizers have opened this year’s fair up to organizations beyond sports and recreation.

“We’ve got the native centre coming, we’ve got the Institute of Music and Art, St. John Ambulance for different courses they provide,” he said.

“If anyone comes and visits on the 15th, it’s totally free – it costs no money, but you get to go talk to Niagara Falls Soccer Club or one of the multiple cricket clubs or maybe you’ve watched curling on TV but have never been to a curling club, talk to the curling club when they’re here.”

Brooks said organizations are looking to get new registrations and want to get the message out into the community that they exist.

“Hopefully they can get a bunch of registrations out of this and we can continue to grow an active, healthy community.”

For more information, visit https://niagarafalls.ca/living/community-facilities/macbain-centre/special-events.aspx.

Participating organizations

Athletics Niagara

Autism Ontario

Big Brothers Big Sisters of…