Fort Erie Friendship Festival’s return postponed due to wildfire smoke
July 16, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Garrison Road business owners postponed the Friendship Festival on Wednesday evening after smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario drove Fort Erie’s air quality to high-risk levels, two days before the revived event’s Friday opening.
The festival was scheduled for Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. along Garrison Road. Organizer Wyatt Deschamps announced the postponement in an email Wednesday and said a new date is coming.
“We apologize and are heartbroken to provide you with this news,” Deschamps wrote. “I will provide you with a new date when one has been chosen.”
Environment Canada issued a high-impact air quality warning for southern Niagara at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday as wildfire smoke blanketed the region.
Air Quality Ontario’s health index put Niagara at 9 out of 10, and the agency said poor conditions may persist into Friday. It advised residents to reschedule or cancel outdoor events, and warned the smoke threatens everyone regardless of age or health.
Orange skies over Ridgeway Wednesday afternoon. Credit: Brent Jones | Fort Erie RadioBusiness owners staged the festival themselves with support from Fort Erie Festivals and little formal funding. Vendor spots were free, and local donations were to cover costs such as portable toilets, rentals and security.
The original Friendship Festival began as a binational Canada Day celebration with Buffalo and ran 32 years before its board cancelled it in January 2020. Bingo revenue had fallen for years, and sponsorship money tied to the town’s slots facility disappeared when the slots closed in 2012.
Deschamps said the revived version was designed to start small and grow. He now says the delay could serve that goal.
“Within this time, we can work on expanding the event to more locations and make this even better,” Deschamps wrote in the postponement notice.
The smoke is forecast to begin clearing Friday. Deschamps said he will announce a new festival date once one is confirmed.
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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!"
Where on Garrison?
Garrison Place.
Hi Andrew,
Could you put me in touch with Wyatt ?
Wyatt can be reached at (905) 871-6410.