• Cyclists to compete in annual two-day Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of vital cancer research on June 8-9
• Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade planned for Saturday, June 8
• Temporary road closures will be in place between June 6 and June 10 to support both events
Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks is proud to once again host the 2024 Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer Event on June 8 and June 9 and the Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade on June 8. To support both events, temporary road closures will be in place between June 6 to 10 within the area of Queen Victoria Park by the Toronto Power Generating Station, Dufferin Islands, Upper Rapids Boulevard and within the Town of Chippawa.
The Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day charitable cycling event with a synchronized start in Toronto and Niagara Falls that sees thousands of riders travel more than 200 kilometers to finish in Niagara Falls in support of cancer research. The largest cycling fundraiser in Canada, proceeds from the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer support the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Located in Toronto, the centre is among the top five cancer research centers in the world. The Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade is the highlight of the Rameses Spring Ceremonial; a convention which brings thousands of Shriners from Canada and the northern part of the U.S. together.
Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer
Thursday, June 6 and Monday, June 10: To support set-up and clean-up for the event, there will be a temporary single lane closure of the northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and Toronto Power Generating Station between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, June 7: An overnight closure of the northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Generating Station is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. for A/V production set up.
Saturday, June 8: There will be a full closure of all northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, operating in an opposing traffic pattern. In addition, there will be a full closure of the Niagara Parkway from Mechanic Street to Upper Rapids Boulevard. Please note that until 10 a.m., Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will be closed to all traffic and parking. The Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse parking lot (Lot B) will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking (Lot A) or Rapidsview Parking (Lot C). Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will continue without interruption, as all roads are expected to be reopened beginning at 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., there will be a temporary single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Plant until 3 p.m. to facilitate site changeover.
Sunday, June 9: From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., there will be a full road closure of the Niagara Parkway from Marshall Road to Upper Rapids Boulevard. In addition, Bridgewater Street from the Niagara Parkway to Cummington Square in Chippawa will be reduced to one lane. There will be a single lane closure over Weightman Bridge to allow cyclists to re-enter the Niagara Parkway via Macklem Street. These sections will reopen as the last participant cycles through the event around 5 p.m. There will be a full closure of the northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill from 4 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, which will operate in an opposing traffic pattern. To avoid congestion, it is recommended that vehicles enter Niagara Parks via Murray Street or Clifton Hill. Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will be closed to all traffic and parking for the day. The Floral Showhouse Parking Lot will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking or Rapidsview Parking Lots. Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will begin at 9 a.m. and continue without interruption. Traffic delays are to be expected with all roads reopening by 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., there will be a temporary overnight single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Plant until 7 a.m. to facilitate A/V production tear down.
Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade
Saturday, June 8: There will be a full closure of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Macklem Street/Portage Road intersection from 12:45 p.m. until the last parade float has exited at Mechanic Street and Macklem Street or by no later than 2 p.m. The parade is expected to begin at 1:00 p.m. and as the parade passes by, the Niagara Parkway will be fully closed to vehicular traffic. The approximate length of the parade will be 45 minutes in duration. During this time, residents on Bukator Drive and Rapids View Drive will not be able to access the Niagara Parkway unless there is an emergency. In the case of an emergency, Niagara Parks Police will be positioned along the parade route to assist residents or emergency service vehicles with access/egress. The parade formation will take place in the eastbound lanes of Upper Rapids Boulevard. As a result, a temporary closure of the eastbound lanes will also be in effect from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Access to Rapidsview Parking Lot from Portage Road and the Niagara Parkway (north of Upper Rapids Boulevard) will not be impacted by this closure.
For detailed road closure timings and alternate routes, it is recommended to refer to Niagara Parks’ official communications closer to the event dates.
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