👋NOTL, Time for a Long Weekend!

This Week in NOTL…

• 🍎 Labour Day Long Weekend & Back-to-School

• 🎨 NOTL Arts Collective Labour Day Fair

• 🍩 A Sweet Stop at Fritters on the Lake

• 🖌️ A Touch of Trisha Romance

Onward, Notlers — here’s to a weekend full of stories, sweets, and a little extra art.

🍂 Labour Day & Back to School

Labour Day isn’t just the unofficial end of summer — it has deep roots in Canada’s history. First celebrated in the 1880s, the holiday was born from workers’ movements that fought for fair wages, safer conditions, and the eight-hour workday we often take for granted today. It’s a day to honour the hard work and dedication of those who built the communities we live in, including right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

But beyond its history, Labour Day weekend always carries mixed feelings. For families, it’s one last chance to stretch summer a little longer — a backyard barbecue, a quick getaway, or a stroll down Queen Street with an ice cream in hand. At the same time, the bright yellow buses and sharpened pencils waiting in backpacks mean the school year is just around the corner. For many students, that’s exciting. For others, it’s a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the freedom of summer days.

That said, there’s still plenty of time to make the most of it. Families can enjoy a picnic at Queen’s Royal Park, take a bike ride along the Parkway, stop by a local café for a special treat, or even catch some live music at one of our wineries. However you spend it, this long weekend is a chance to pause, savour the season, and make a few more memories before the school bell rings.

🎨 Celebrate Labour Day with Local Art

Labour Day weekend isn’t just about barbecues and back-to-school prep — it’s also a chance to slow down and enjoy time with family. One great way to do that? Stop by the NOTL Arts Collective Labour Day Art Fair.

Held at 222 Davy Street, the fair brings together a talented mix of local artists, with work to admire and even take home. With free admission, it’s an easy outing for families — whether you’re looking to spark creativity in the kids, find a unique piece for your home, or simply enjoy wandering through inspiring displays together.

📍 222 Davy Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

🗓 Friday, August 29 — 6 pm to 8 pm

🗓 Saturday, August 30 — 10 am to 5 pm

🗓 Sunday, August 31 — 10 am to 5 pm

This Labour Day, make a little space for art — and some family fun — right here in town.

🍩 Fritters on the Lake – A Back-to-School Treat

The end of summer always deserves something special. Before the alarm clocks start buzzing and the first homework assignments appear, families squeeze in one last hurrah — a bike ride, a backyard barbecue, or (the best of them all) a sweet treat that feels like summer in a bag.

That’s exactly what you’ll find at Fritters on the Lake. Their warm, golden fritters — dusted generously with sugar — are as simple as they are perfect. They come in a brown paper bag, rarely make it home in one piece, and are guaranteed to leave everyone with sticky fingers and big smiles.

And here’s a little insider secret: every time I’ve been, I’ve walked away with more fritters than I paid for. Maybe it’s luck, maybe it’s coincidence, or maybe it’s just the way their staff love to spread a little extra sweetness around. Don’t let this be your expectation, but just know — beyond the already-great fritters, you might get a bonus or two for flashing your nicest smile.

So if you’re looking for a back-to-school sendoff that’s fun, messy, and totally worth it, swing by Fritters on the Lake. Because summer may be short, but fritters make it a whole lot sweeter.

🎨 A Romance with Old Town

Niagara-on-the-Lake has long been home to artists, but few have captured its spirit quite like Trisha Romance. Known for her warm, detailed watercolours, Romance built an international following with scenes that often felt pulled straight from Old Town — cozy homes, quiet gardens, and moments of everyday life wrapped in nostalgia. For years, her gallery on Victoria Street was a must-visit stop, drawing collectors from across the country.

On a recent trip to Parkhill, Ontario to visit family, I had a small moment of realization. Hanging on the walls of the house were paintings I’d seen since I was a kid — so familiar I never questioned them. But this time, I noticed something: the streets, the porches, the architecture. They looked eerily like Niagara-on-the-Lake.

A quick conversation confirmed it — those pieces were by Trisha Romance, and my great-grandparents had purchased them during their many vacations to NOTL, years before I ever lived here myself. In a way, I had been looking at glimpses of this town my whole life, without knowing it.

And that’s the real Romance of her work — how it sneaks into your story and makes you fall for Niagara-on-the-Lake all over again. For some, her paintings are a treasured memory of a visit. For others, they’re a reminder that home can be captured in a single brushstroke. Either way, it’s proof that when it comes to this town, there’s always a little bit of Romance to be found.

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Until next time, Notlers… stay warm, stay thoughtful, and keep your eyes peeled — your moment might be next.