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The City of Port Colborne is celebrating provincial recognition after being named the 2026 Municipality of the Year (Population Under 50,000) by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO).
Presented at the annual FEO Awards Gala on Feb. 25, the award recognizes municipalities that demonstrate exceptional leadership in supporting local festivals and community events. Port Colborne stands out among similarly sized municipalities for its vibrant, year-round programming that celebrates the City’s culture, history, and strong community spirit.
“Being named Municipality of the Year speaks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners,” says Port Colborne Mayor William Steele. “Every successful event is built on collaboration and teamwork. This recognition belongs to every citizen of Port Colborne who helps us deliver on our commitment to provide a small-town experience in a big way.”
Port Colborne’s signature events include the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, which draws more than 60,000 local and international visitors each Civic Holiday long weekend, and the summer Community Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. The City also hosts community safety initiatives such as Open House: Touch-a-Truck and Fire Prevention, and SportsFest, a winter celebration of sports and games. Beyond these events, the City supports community-led festivals, holiday parades and cultural celebrations – delivering year-round, community-oriented programming for residents and visitors.
In addition to Municipality of the Year, the City of Port Colborne was recognized with several other accolades at the FEO Awards Gala, including:
- Best Promotional Campaign for the 2025 Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival.
- Student Leadership Award presented to Events & Recreation Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator Kennedy Stock.
- Top 100 Event designation for the 2025 Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival.
Learn more about Port Colborne’s events by visiting www.portcolborne.ca/cityevents
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