The annual spring shipping season in Port Colborne is set to begin on March 22, 2025, with the opening of the Welland Canal. This date marks the start of the 66th navigation season of the St. Lawrence Seaway system, a significant maritime route for Great Lakes shipping.
The highlight of the canal opening is the Top Hat Ceremony, a tradition held in Port Colborne since the early 1970s. This event welcomes the captain of the first downbound vessel passing through the canal. Residents and visitors will gather at Lock 8 Gateway Park to witness the mayor present a ceremonial top hat to the ship's captain.
The historic Top Hat Ceremony marks the season's first ship, drawing crowds to witness this maritime tradition at Lock 8 Gateway Park.
The ceremony includes a popular pancake breakfast for all attendees. Those who can't attend in person can watch the event via livestream on the city's Facebook page. The captain receives a replica top hat as a keepsake, while the original hat comes from the Port Colborne Historical Museum.
The current Welland Canal, which opened on August 6, 1932, is actually the fourth canal built in the region. The first canal opened in 1833. This essential waterway connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, allowing ships to bypass Niagara Falls during transit.
Port Colborne sits at the southern end of the canal and has become a popular ship-watching destination. The city features working fishing tugs like the Lincoln R. and is home to the pilot boat JW Cooper. The canal typically opens on March 28 each year, but sometimes opens earlier depending on ice conditions.
The canal system plays a significant role in the regional economy. Since 1959, it has transported 2.5 billion tonnes of cargo valued at approximately $375 billion. About 25% of the traffic moves to or from overseas ports. The full journey through the system, spanning 2,038 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean to Duluth, takes about 8.5 days.
Government officials and marine industry representatives will join local residents at the ceremony, continuing a tradition that celebrates Port Colborne's strong maritime identity and the economic importance of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
