A sold-out garden party in Niagara-on-the-Lake raised close to $20,000 for the Heritage Trail, almost doubling its fundraising goal as volunteers continue working toward the trail’s extension.
The Sept. 3 event drew 85 guests to a private home on the lake in Chautauqua. Tickets sold out in just three days, said Wendy Cheropita, chair of the Heritage Trail event committee.
The evening ran from 6 to 9 p.m. and featured food, wine and a live auction. Organizers had hoped to raise $10,000 but brought in closer to $20,000.
The money will support the restoration of the Heritage Trail (formerly the Upper Canada Heritage Trail), a community project that volunteers have been working on for almost a decade.
Cheropita said the funds will go toward extending the trail, with about five kilometres remaining to be built. The goal is to create a connection along York Road between St. Davids and Queenston, linking with the Bruce Trail.
Beyond the money raised, Cheropita said the event helped bring attention to the trail. Several guests told her afterward that they had walked it and enjoyed the experience.
She said guests described the evening as “the party of the year” and praised its food and wine selection.
Cheropita said sponsors included Brenda and Blair McArthur, the Scotsman Hotel, the Clayfield Hotel, Pillar & Post, Anne Robinson, the Sentineal family, Zoom Leisure Bikes, Steve Cohen and Joe Carlino, Tony Chisholm, and John and Michelle Scott.
Wine was donated by Stratus, Big Head, Jackson-Triggs and Konzelmann, while Limited Distillery supplied local gin for a signature cocktail. The Independent Grocer on Queen Street donated water and the Exchange Brewery supplied beer.
Tony Chisholm, speaking on behalf of the volunteers, said the fundraiser was a welcome boost to their efforts.
“This fun and very successful party has produced a very welcome and substantial contribution to the community and our favourite Heritage Trail.”
“The town dissolved the committee — all committees I believe — in advance of the election, so I can’t really officially speak on behalf of the (Heritage Trail) committee,” he added.
The fundraiser comes as volunteers continue to look ahead to the trail’s completion. Its Paws on the Trail event was cancelled this year, and the committee has been seeking updates on when construction of the extension will resume.
This summer’s flooding has also raised questions about the trail’s condition and the timing of future work. The Lake Report has asked the town for an update on construction and the anticipated timeline, but did not receive a response by press time.
