Five fun things to do in Niagara this weekend as summer nears

Folks Arts Festival concludes with Croatian food and entertainment

It has been a month full of cultural events as Niagara celebrated its diversity at open houses across the region. It also saw the return of warm-weather sports — with more on the way.

As we turn the calendar to June — and with it, sunshine and warmth — here are a few ways to spend the last May weekend in Niagara.

The Fenwick Market

The Fenwick Market and Trunk Sale returns for the second consecutive year, with over 70 vendors expected to be in attendance.

Enjoy vintage goods, handmade items from local markets, food — barbecue, food bowls and vegan and gluten-free options — and beverages.

The inaugural 2022 event — held on Olivia Wilkens-Settle and Katie Dyson-Wilkens family Pelham land — saw several thousand people attend over two days.

The two-day market, at 1135 Centre Street, opens Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Electric Vehicle Showcase

CAA Niagara is hosting its first-ever Electric Vehicle Showcase at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines this weekend. The free event includes an exhibit fair, an expert panel and an electric vehicle and espresso morning mingle.

The two-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with demonstrations, test drives, vendors and experts on-site.

Kids can enjoy the EV Explorers Hub with activities hosted by Heartland Forest.

Four industry experts will share their knowledge on electric vehicles, charging and the future of emobility Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon inside Landmark Cinemas. On Sunday, CAA Niagara is hosting “EVs and Espresso” for electric car owners in the community to show off their vehicles.

For more information or to register, visitcaaniagara.ca/events/evshowcase-dayone-ev-panel.

Folks Arts Festival

The month-long cultural celebration concludes this weekend with the Folks Arts Festival final open house. The Croatian National Centre will open its Niagara-on-theLake doors from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday with Croatian music, food — pork, lamb, cabbage rolls and sweets — and entertainment, including musical groups Veseli Hrvati (from Welland) and Hrvatsko Selo (Hamilton).

Pride Week Kick-off

Niagara’s Pride Week kicks off Saturday evening at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines. Welcome Detox, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, as well as featured performances from Pride Niagara Ambassadors 2022-23, Felton B. Bender and Eboni Park.

The night will be filled with music (with spotlight DJs), dancing and a celebration of Pride in Niagara — additionally there will be performances, meet and greet, competitions, free swag and giveaways.

Doors open at 8 p.m., open to anyone 19-plus. Tickets cost $25 and are available online or at the Meridian Centre Box Office.

Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, celebrating its 40th year, is set to run its biggest event of the year. On Sunday, Niagara is host a number of Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs across the community, including Grimsby — which LFCDG said is one of its more passionate groups with $10,000 already raised — as well as St. Catharines- Grantham.

LFCDG breeds, trains and matches dogs for free with Canadian across the country part of its seven programs, including autism assistance, canine vision, seizure response and diabetic alert. With a cost of about $35,000 per dog, the organization relies on donations, with a goal of $1.4-million this year.

Anyone interested in learning more or joining the walk can visit walkfordogguides.com.