History
The celebration of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day happens every June 24th since 1834.
It is not known why Saint-Jean-Baptiste came to be considered the patron saint of French Canada. One legend has it that a great many French-Canadians bearing that given name persuaded the journalist and patriot Ludger Duvernay to adopt it as the name of the national society of French-Canadians which he founded in 1834. In any case that was the name he chose, and the St Jean Baptiste Association (St Jean Baptiste Society from 1914 on) of Montreal took the maple leaf and the beaver as its emblems…and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day was born! The founding was celebrated 24 Jun 1834 by a banquet to which 60 guests were invited – Irish, US, and Canadian. Many among them sang their interpretations of patriotic songs, including George-Étienne Cartier who sang ‘Ô Canada! mon pays! mes amours!’ The celebration became annual, and gradually more elaborate, and spread to other localities in Quebec, in Acadia (1880), and in the francophone regions of Ontario, the Canadian west, and even the USA. The celebrations were suspended 1838-42 because of political troubles.
Celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in Niagara Falls!
It’s time to plan a little getaway, and Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls is the perfect destination for families looking for a break. Have a look at these Niagara Falls Hotels, with a few that provide fantastic savings on packages catered to family fun, such as the “Niagara Falls Family Fun Package” at the Howard Johnson on Victoria Avenue and the Courtyard Marriott Niagara Falls “Kids Love Niagara” Package.
Once you arrive on Clifton Hill, we want to make sure you’re fueled up before your adventure begins. Clifton Hill is home to one of Canada’s largest Boston Pizza locations. Inside, you will find the Great Canadian Midway on the lower level, and many of their games and family favourites are located upstairs as well as within the restaurant. Additionally, we are connected to Strike! Rock N Bowl, which is a 14 lane, 10-pin bowling alley. We also have eight billiard tables for all the pool lovers out there.
The Great Canadian Midway is a giant 2 story building that features literally hundreds of arcade games, and exciting rides such as the 6D Wild West Coaster and the family favourite, Ghost Blasters Dark Ride. We feature two redemption prizes centres to redeem your winning tickets for prizes — one on the lower level and the other located upstairs at Strike Rock N Bowl.
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Canada’s largest elevated go-kart track, the Niagara Speedway! The Speedway combines traditional go-karts with the added fun and excitement of an elevated coaster styled track. This our most talked about attraction, with a track that spans 2000 feet and climbs up a 4-story spiral before you head down the ramp!
Clifton Hill comes alive with an atmosphere of lights and sounds emanating from the numerous “haunted houses” that line the street, the talking Pharaoh outside Movieland Wax Museum and the roar of the Dinosaurs and volcano “eruptions” at the Dinosaur Adventure Golf . You will know when you are getting close to Clifton Hill once the spectacular Niagara SkyWheel comes into view! This is Canada’s largest observation wheel, which will take you 175 feet high above the horizon for one-of-a-kind views of the majestic Niagara Falls and the entire surrounding landscape.
Get yourselves the best deal going for family fun entertainment on Clifton Hill, with our SIX (6) attraction Clifton Hill Fun Pass. Experience our most popular attractions, for half the cost of purchasing each individually. Just $29.95 for Adults, and $19.95 for Children (+ HST). This gets you a full day of fun — with another bonus Niagara SkyWheel admission when you purchase the pass online ONLY!
If you looking for an attraction that will leave you on the edge of your seat, as well as release your competitive edge, you must try our Zombie Attack Multi-Sensory Adventure Ride! It features real-time 6D graphics in which you challenge your family, friends, and all the other opponents in the theatre in order to prove who is champion of mankind. Your mission is to shoot and destroy all the zombies and become the winner!
Enjoy spectacular Niagara Falls fireworks displays in Queen Victoria Park daily from June 18th to September 3rd, 2018 at 10:00 pm!
Fireworks displays are weather permitting.
June 22nd – Peter Cetera will perform at the Fallsview Casino on with famous hits such as “Will You Still Love Me”, “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”. As a solo artist, he has recorded #1 hits including the Academy Award nominated songs “The Glory of Love”, “The Next Time I Fall,” “After All”, “No Explanation” and “Restless Heart”.
Parking on Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill is the best place to find parking for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste weekend!
We have introduced a larger lot that spans over 700+ parking spaces. It gives easy access to all our local attractions and is only a few minutes walk down to Queen Victoria Park to view the fireworks shows, as well as to ride the Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Journey Behind the Falls, and the MistRider Zipline to the Falls attractions.
Click the image below for information on how to get here from the QEW or the Niagara Parkway, which includes a printable version for easy travelling:
