Youth invited to share why they love Fort Erie in Valentine’s contest

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) has launched a Valentine’s Day-themed creative contest for Fort Erie residents under 18 years old, with entries due February 22 and winners chosen the next day.

The ‘Why I Love Fort Erie’ contest invites youth to submit art, writing or photos that show a favourite local place and explain why it matters to them.

William Connor, MYAC member, told Fort Erie Radio the project aims to build local pride and connection in a border community, while giving young residents a public platform for creative expression.

“It’s always nice to give appreciation to where you live and just connect with different people. It brings people in our community closer together based on why they love the place that we live in,” said Connor.

The contest is open to three age groups: kindergarten to Grade 4, Grades 5 to 8 and Grades 9 to 12. Submissions can include photography, poems, essays, physical art or video.

Entries must show a location in Fort Erie and include a short written explanation. Youth can submit work by email or arrange a pickup through the committee.

Connor said the contest comes at a time when tensions from the Canada-U.S. trade war have sharpened local conversations about identity in a border town that lives with cross-border ties every day.

“We are a border town. We’ve always had a friendship with the U.S., but also our own identity. I’m very proud of a lot of people in Fort Erie about their Canadian identity,” he said.

Winners will be selected during the youth committee’s February 23 meeting. Selected entries will be shared on the committee’s Instagram page and the Town of Fort Erie’s social media accounts.

Prizes will be Fort Erie-themed and may include local gift cards or community based items, with final details set after the number of entries is known.

In June 2024 and June 2025, MYAC staged Youth Talent Showcase events at the Fort Erie Leisureplex, but this year the committee chose a different format that allows youth to participate on their own schedule and submit visual or written work with a Valentine’s Day theme.

The committee has plans for more frequent public activities to raise awareness of its role and encourage youth participation.

“We want kids to know we’re here and that we’re doing events in town. We try to do something every month or every other month to get youth involved,” said Connor.

The youth committee recently hosted a free skate during the Christmas break and will join Mayor Wayne Redekop for the Coldest Night of the Year walk on February 28. Donation details and contest information are available through the MYAC Instagram page.

Youth who want to take part in the ‘Why I Love Fort Erie’ contest can submit their work or arrange a pickup by emailing william.connor5th@gmail.com.

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