Dabrowski backs Niagara Falls funding policy for $1,000 event support
Niagara Falls council approved a motion asking staff to report back on a funding opportunity policy for organizations running local events after hearing from Niagara Fiesta Extravaganza organizers. Councillor Chris Dabrowski brought the motion forward and suggested $1,000 in marketing support for the festival.
Dabrowski said the money could help organizers reach people beyond the Niagara region, including the Hamilton area and the GTA. He also said council could later look at a checklist or litmus test for funding eligibility if staff return with a broader report.
Lococo asks for fairness
The discussion turned to how the city supports different events. Councillor Lori Lococo said she supports the fiesta but wants a more formal process that every group can apply to, pointing to fee waivers and the Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund as examples of existing models.
“I would love to support one, but how come we haven’t been supporting others? I know there’s going to be a lot of people saying, ‘well, why aren’t we getting supported?’ I love the idea, but I’d like to see a more formal process that everybody can apply. I think we should just be fair across the board,” Lococo said. Dabrowski answered, “of course.”
Firemen’s Park on Aug. 1 and 2
The fifth annual Niagara Fiesta Extravaganza is scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2 at Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls. Council has already provided marketing support for the event and approved a noise bylaw exemption allowing live outdoor music until 11 p.m. during the festival.
Dabrowski said, “It’s not a large amount, but it’s a big enough amount that would help you market your event, not just throughout the Niagara region, but to the Hamilton area and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) because there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit.” He added, “Canadians are looking to travel within Canada. Ontarians are looking to travel within Ontario and everybody’s googling right now, ‘things to do this summer;’ and the Ontarians are staying home, so why not help them drive some more additional traffic from the GTA and from the Hamilton area to the Niagara region for the festival?”
Staff report in future months
Mona Patel called the idea “great idea” and said, “This is by Niagara Falls people for Niagara F.” Dabrowski said, “Maybe we do look at a staff report coming back in future months, however, our tourist season kicks off now and this festival runs in a couple of months, so I would hate to not approve it.”
The practical change for organizers is immediate support for this festival and a council-backed review of whether Niagara Falls should build a formal way to judge future requests. For local groups, the next step is staff bringing back a report that could shape how the city handles funding, marketing help, or other support for events that want to apply under the same rules.
