Forty-two years ago, Terry Fox ran through Niagara-on-the-Lake and was honoured at a reception of the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Now, in honour of his visit, Lord Mayor Betty Disero has proclaimed July 12 as Terry Fox Day in NOTL. 

To commemorate the first Terry Fox Day, Disero will be raising the Canadian flag at the old Court House on Queen Street at 9 a.m. New 2022 Terry Fox T-shirts will also be sold by Joan King, who organizes the annual Terry Fox Run in NOTL.

A plaque has also been placed on a bench within Simcoe park, which will be officially revealed on July 12.

King said it will be “dedicated in honour of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, from 1980.” 

“This is a special day for Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s not a run day. It’s just to recognize that Terry Fox actually was in Niagara-on-the-Lake 42 years ago,” she said. 

King said she’s already gearing up for the annual Terry Fox Run in NOTL on Sept. 18 and is excited to get back to a regular year without pandemic restrictions.