Partners with
This week's article is proudly supported by The Balance Collective, Niagara-on-the-Lake's new home for yoga, Pilates, Reiki, and holistic wellness.
TODAY IN NOTL
🌦 Weather
Victoria Day weekend is here, and Mother Nature is giving us a bit of everything. Friday starts cool at 14°C with some sun, but Saturday warms up nicely to 20°C, perfect for getting outdoors. Sunday and Monday hover around 19 to 24°C with increasing cloud cover, so enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. The back half of the week brings rain, with Tuesday seeing a 70% chance of showers and 5 to 10 mm expected. Keep the umbrella close and the patio plans flexible.
🧘 A New Way to Reset in Town
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a new destination for anyone looking to slow down, reset, and find their village. The Balance Collective has officially opened at 242 Mary Street, Unit 9, bringing a community-centered approach to wellbeing that the town has been missing.
Founded by Stacey Stemplowski, a Registered Psychotherapist with a deep background in holistic health, the studio is built around four pillars: yoga, Pilates, Reiki, and holistic nutrition. The weekly schedule includes Mat Pilates, vinyasa and restorative yoga flows, sound baths, acupuncture, and wellness circles, with Barre classes joining in June. One-on-one services like clinical psychotherapy and holistic nutrition consultations round out the offering.
What sets the space apart is the intentional philosophy behind it. Stacey's clinical background means the studio is designed for the whole person, where physical movement and internal balance go hand in hand. Beyond regular classes, the collective hosts monthly workshops led by local practitioners covering specialized healing and growth topics.
Class packages start at $85 for a five-class yoga pass, and a one-month all-access membership for both yoga and Pilates runs $175.
Celebrate the Grand Opening on May 23 from 1 to 3 pm. An afternoon of food, prizes, and local community businesses coming together to welcome something special to town. Book a class or learn more at thebalancecollective.ca.
🇨🇦 Victoria Day
Victoria Day is one of Canada's oldest national holidays, celebrated every year on the Monday before May 25.
It honours Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819, and reigned over the British Empire for 63 years. She was the monarch when Canada became a country through Confederation in 1867, making her a significant figure in our national history. The holiday has been observed in Canada since 1845, originally as a celebration of the Queen's birthday. Today, it serves double duty as the official birthday of the reigning Canadian sovereign. For most of us, though, Victoria Day means one thing: the unofficial start of summer. Cottages open up, patios come alive, and long weekend plans take over. In NOTL, that means the Virgil Stampede, fireworks, and finally getting to enjoy some warmer weather. Here is what is happening around town this weekend.
Virgil Stampede (Sat May 16 to Mon May 18)
The 59th annual Virgil Stampede is back at Virgil Sports Park, 1565 Four Mile Creek Road. What started in 1967 as a small neighbourhood fireworks display has grown into one of Niagara's favourite long weekend traditions.
The lineup includes rides and midway games from Albion Amusements, a packed kids' pavilion with comedy juggling from The Ben Show, Kobbler Jay's knife juggling and balancing acts, Tim Holland's ventriloquist show, London Reptiles, and Doo Doo the International Clown. The outdoor food court is open all weekend.
Monday night wraps it all up with fireworks at 9:30 pm.
Admission is $5 per person, free for kids 10 and under. Ride bracelets are $35 if you grab them at Phil's Independent on Niagara Stone Road, or $45 at the gate. Bracelets are valid for one day only. No backpacks allowed on the grounds.
Net proceeds this year support Red Roof Retreat and Radiant Care.
Hours: Sat 10 am to 9 pm | Sun 11 am to 8 pm | Mon 10 am to 10 pm virgilstampede.ca
🗒️ On Our Radar
A couple spots and events we have our eye on this weekend. If you think we are missing something good, let us know.
Niagara Falls Fireworks Season Begins Tonight The nightly fireworks over the Falls officially kick off tonight and run every evening through October 12 at 10 pm. If you have never watched the show from the Canadian side, Queen Victoria Park is the best spot to take it all in. A short drive from NOTL and a great way to kick off the long weekend.
Antique Evaluation Show at Fort George (Sat May 17, 1 to 4 pm) Got a mystery heirloom collecting dust? The Friends of Fort George are hosting an antiques roadshow-style afternoon with professional appraiser Andre Wagner. Bring your items and find out what they are worth. $10 per item, with all proceeds supporting student employment at Fort George and Brock's Monument this summer.
Thanks for reading today’s issue.
If you enjoyed it, pass it along to someone who always asks, “What’s going on in town?”
And while your at it go catch up on last weeks’ article! 👉 🌷Celebrating Our Mothers
— Matthew Habinski, Editor @ NOTL News
