The Past is Present Heritage Festival, Monday August 4,
Castlereagh Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Past is Present Heritage Festival returns to Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake, bringing a lively mix of
adventure, music, treasures, and one-of-a-kind vendors. On Monday, August 4 th , at the NOTL Museum
on Castlereagh Street, the popular street market and community fair will feature its legendary ‘treasures
sale’, historic demonstrations, live music, food vendors, artisans, and activities for all the family.
Bringing Castlereagh Street alive is Sorella Niagara, with their unique vendors and family-friendly crafts
and activities, from hands-on robotic fun with RoboThink Niagara, to Niagara GeoPark’s GeoClub nature
crafts. Penfield Academy Montessori School (NOTL) will also have a children’s craft booth, and a street
festival is not complete without the joys of facepainting, offered by the NOTL Museum, for the young
and the young at heart.
This year’s festival also showcases young creative entrepreneurs. Watch for ‘Pupzz’ and its young 13-
year-old business owner, Olivia, with her original pet accessories; meet Declan, owner and creator of
‘Woodwind Creations’, and his stunning driftwood art; and Sadie, the young creative designer behind
‘Stencil Art by Sadie’.
As always, keen treasure hunters will find everything from small antiques, classic books, framed art,
vintage décor to hidden gems. And visitors can enjoy bites from PigOut, The Tiny Bistro Food Truck, and
Grand River Macarons & Chocolates, plus enjoy freshly squeezed, handshaken lemonade, from Alfie’s
vintage Lemonade Truck.
Making this a truly heritage festival unique to Niagara, are the historic demonstrations. During the day
visitors can see demonstrations from St. Catharines Rug Hooking Guild, Canadian Volunteer
Re-Enactment Group, Historical Niagara, Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, Niagara Historical
Fencing, Mackenzie Printery, Niagara Handweavers & Spinners, Friends of Fort George, and the United
Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada.
Finally, a festival always needs music, and so from 11am to 1pm, live music will be provided by Niagara
Old Tyme Fiddlers represented by fiddlers Paul Levesque and Diana Joschko, with Dan Levesque on
guitar, and from 1pm – 3pm, by festival regulars Aaron Berger and Nathanial Goold.
When: Monday, August 4: 11am – 3pm.
Where: 43 Castlereagh Street (closed to traffic). Niagara-on-the-Lake.
A free, family-friendly, accessible, rain or shine event.
For more information: www.notlmuseum.ca
Ph. 905 468 3912