Gail Kendall
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report

The Shaw Guild Garden Tour has been drawing locals and tourists alike to Niagara-on-the-Lake for almost 15 years now and this year will be moving to the fall. 

COVID forced cancellation of the tour last year but the team has come together under the guidance of Jane Catcher, the new garden tour convenor, who is  extremely passionate and positive about the tour resuming in 2021. 

Plans are underway to hold the tour on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Originally scheduled for June 12, there was some apprehension among volunteers as well as the homeowners whose gardens will be featured. Would we be back in lockdown? How could they implement proper COVID protocols? Would vaccines be available to all involved? 

Due to the uncertainty, Catcher proposed an option to her team garden tour team: Why not change the date to the fall?  

Such a change would mean more time to plan, more vaccinated volunteers available and a chance for the public to see some beautiful fall gardens.  

Her proposal was met with a resounding yes by her team and was then presented to the Shaw Guild executive committee, which voted in favour of the change. 

In addition, the garden owners were delighted with the new date as their gardens are known to be just as beautiful in the fall as in the spring and summer. 

With eight gardens on the tour and over 20 sponsors, it’s now full speed ahead with planning. New to the tour this year will be some fun and unique activities taking place in each of the featured gardens, as well as extended hours. 

Catcher also ensures that all COVID protocols will be in place to protect visitors, volunteers and homeowners. Her motto is “Let’s all work together as a cohesive team to make this year’s tour the best we can make it.”

Tickets, at $20 each, for the Shaw Guild 15th annual garden tour go on sale on May 21 online at shawguild.ca.