Mega Worlds festival will be rocking
Rennie Park will be a happening place when the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course hosts the 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23, and Under 19 Championships Aug. 18 to 25.
From Aug. 21 to 24, the park will be the site of a free, four-day outdoor festival called the Mega Worlds Fan Festival in support of FEED Niagara.
While 2,500 athletes from more than 60 countries compete in the most significant world rowing event of the season, spectators and attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, unique shopping with local artisan and culinary vendors while raising glasses of unique wine-based cocktails and craft beverages from Niagara’s culinary, wine, distillery and craft brewery industry. Other attractions at the park are: the Niagara Rowing History Exhibit, showcasing the evolution of rowing in Niagara through legacy trophies, art work, and artifacts; and, the International Virtual Rowing Race, a two-minute digital experience that connects participants worldwide in a race. The festival will be open from noon to 9 p.m. daily.
Musical headliners will take the stage starting at 7:30 p.m .and the list of entertainers includes: The Trews on Aug. 21; DJ Shut on Aug. 22; Owen Riegling on Aug. 23; and Scott Helman and a special family show called Splash n Boots on Aug. 24. The Strong Water Singers, a collective of indigenous and non-indigenous women who use drumming and singing as a means of achieving wellness, strength and unity, will perform daily at 2:30 p.m.
“St. Catharines is thrilled to host the world for the 2024 World Rowing Championships,” said Bill Schenck, chair of St. Catharines World Rowing. “The Mega Worlds Fan Festival provides an exciting opportunity for the Niagara and larger rowing community to experience our local culture, entertainment, and more. Rennie Park will be buzzing with activities during the day and will transform into a vibrant concert venue at night, offering incredible entertainment and supporting a worthy cause like FEED Niagara.”
Feed Niagara is part of Ontario’s member network, providing resources and support to those in need.
“The opportunity to partner with the St. Catharines World Rowing Organization and Sport Niagara for the 2024 World Rowing Championships is very exciting,” said Paula Barrett, manager of FEED Niagara. “FEED Niagara represents 10 regional food banks committed to stopping hunger in our community with care and compassion. The World Rowing Championships and the events leading up to them offer a great platform to spread awareness about food insecurity in Niagara and how it is impacting our neighbours.”
The festival is open to everyone and participants are asked bring non-perishable food donations and financial contributions for FEED Niagara.
Located in Rennie Park and adjacent to the rowing course’s finish area, the festival site will also host VIP and Gold spectator seating for the championships. It will be open daily from 9-5. For more information about tickets to watch the championships, visit https://stcrowing2024.com/en/tickets/.
The fan festival has been made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, including the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, and the City of St. Catharines.
“The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund is proud to support the 2024 World Rowing Championships and Mega Worlds Fan Festival. The championships and fan festival will drive international tourism to the southwestern Ontario, showcasing the beautiful Niagara region while generating vital economic impact in the community,” said Thomas Vaughan, the OCAF’s executive director.
For more information about the Mega Worlds Fan Festival visit https://stcrowing2024.com/en/events/fan-festival/.
