Fort Erie’s new Canada Day festival will return in 2027, organizers say

Andrew Hawlitzky
July 3, 2026 at 4:27 AM

Fort Erie’s first major Canada Day festival in years is set to become an annual town staple after roughly 3,000 people came out to Ferndale Park for food trucks, live music and one badly timed thunderstorm.

Realtor Matt Goch and Tranquility Through Therapy put on the free July 1 festival to fill a gap Goch says the town has had since the Friendship Festival ended. They plan to start work on a bigger 2027 edition within days.

Matt Goch speaks on stage, offering to sing to the kids while K-Pop Demon Hunters get ready. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio

“Our first annual Canada Day Festival was a huge success,” Goch said Thursday. “Despite the rain, and the fireworks mishap as a result, it was an all around great evening.”

A flash storm hit Ferndale Park during the evening which then delayed the fireworks, planned for 10 p.m., but launched just after 10:30 p.m.

Barbeque getting cooked at the Billy Bones BBQ trailer in Ferndale Park. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio

Environment Canada had a heat warning in effect for the day, but families rode it out at the splash pad and playground while the festival handed out free water and freezies. Admission, karaoke and face painting were free all day, and food trucks sold meals through the afternoon.

The children’s headliner, a live show recreating the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, got the loudest reaction of the afternoon. Kids chanted the group’s name until the cast reached the stage.

Freshly-made lemonade being made by The Lemon Lab tent in Ferndale Park. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio

The Trip, a Niagara-based Tragically Hip tribute band fronted by Fort Erie singer John Genet, played the main stage from 7 to 10 p.m. Goch booked the band because he considers the Hip to be Canada’s band.

Goch said he had no expectations for how this first-year event would go, but was thankful for the turnout.

Families gather to the stage for the K-Pop Demon Hunters concert. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio

“This event will be a staple in our community and something we hope everyone can look forward to each year,” Goch said. “I think Fort Erie’s really been lacking anything for Canada Day since the Friendship Festival.”

Goch said that he and Kelley need a few days to recharge before planning starts on next year’s festival.

Tags:Ferndale Park

About The Author

Andrew Hawlitzky

Andrew is a Niagara community journalist who has covered everything from local politics to annual festivals and breaking news. He works to make local news a platform where community voices lead the conversation. "If you don't like the news, go out and make some!"