A $5,000 grant from BCM Insurance and other financial support is keeping Niagara-on-the-Lake’s signature Canada Day cake parade free — and yes, there will still be cake from Willow Cakes and Pastries, even though it’s closed.
The Friends of Fort George, the non-profit group that organizes the July 1 festivities with Parks Canada, received the grant through BCM Insurance’s annual community program, which supports local initiatives.
“For us, it means a lot,” said Friends of Fort George executive director Amanda Gamble. “(Grants) allow us to do all of this for the community for free.”
The $5,000 will help cover the cost of items like plates, napkins, and forks for the cake parade, as well as marketing and summer student hires at Fort George and Brock’s Monument. Gamble found the grant online, applied for it and was accepted.
The Friends also received $10,000 from the town for fireworks and $4,500 from the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission for entertainment, with additional support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
“All those grants help,” said Gamble.
This year’s celebration marks 37 years of the organization running Canada Day in town, drawing thousands each summer, she said. About 3,000 people enjoyed a slice of cake in 2024.
And despite announcing the bakery’s closure earlier this year, Willow Cakes and Pastries is still on board to design and donate the cake.
Owner Catherine O’Donnell reached out personally to confirm the bakery would still participate, Gamble said.
“We’re really excited — and (O’Donnell) is great to work with,” she said.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa said the cake parade has become a hallmark of community pride and it’s significant when businesses in town encourage that.
“Another great example of businesses stepping up to assist the community,” said Zalepa.
“It’s this kind of support that we need,” said Friends of Fort George president Tony Chisholm. “It’s nice to see it coming from a new source.”
Chisholm said they plan to apply again next year to help continue a unique tradition that keeps NOTL’s Canada Day celebrations one of a kind.
“I mean, what other town’s got a cake parade, right?” he said.
