St. Catharines kicks off 150th birthday celebrations at Montebello Park

St. Catharines celebrated its 150th birthday today, marking the first of many parties this year to commemorate the milestone.

St. Catharines was incorporated as a city in May 1876, back when a bushel of apples cost 60 cents. Its roots go back much further, with the Welland Canal serving as a major landmark that tied its formation together.

Montebello Park was the site of the celebration of 150 years as a city. Mayor Mat Siscoe says the park was one of the first community gathering spots, but he is at a loss to choose just one defining landmark.

“We have the piers in Port Dalhousie and the carousel,” Siscoe said. “We have the Welland Canal; the old Welland Canal running through Merritton and Mount Locks Park.”

Today was the first of many free celebrations scheduled this year to mark the historical occasion. Many residents lined up for free hot dogs, temporary body art and the chance to make their mark on a park picnic table. The longest line next to the free franks was for the chance to win birthday swag.

“The original foundational towns that all came together to make St. Catharines, Merritton and Port Dalhousie, that’s kind of the whole point of the logo — is to show the patchwork that was knitted together to make the community,” Siscoe said.

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The St. Catharines Fire Department was on hand to encourage new recruits. Attendees also shared local lore, including the mystery of the infamous carousel.

“The lady who donated the carousel said that they could not charge more than five cents a ride, and it didn’t matter how long the carousel stays there,” one attendee said. “They really take good care of it.”

Dick Stuive has been a resident of St. Catharines since 1978. He has seen many famous athletes come through the city, such as NHL legend Marcel Dionne, but says “St. Kitts” is best known for its rowing community.

“In 1999 we had the World Rowing Championship, and then 25 years later, 2024, we had it again,” Stuive said. “I have to mention that. That definitely was big.”

Resident Kathleen said the Welland Canal is the most significant part of the city’s identity.

“I think the thing that really created our community the most is the Welland Canal,” she said. “I don’t think we can forget the impact that the Welland Canal had on our community. If the Welland Canal didn’t come through St. Catharines, we would’ve never grown into the city that we are today.”

The next big party in the “celebrate St. Catharines” tour is Canada Day at Montebello Park, featuring live music all day and drone fireworks at night in Port Dalhousie.

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