The friendly border between Buffalo and Fort Erie just became a little less friendlier with the announcement of the cancellation of the annual FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL. 

“Since its inception the Friendship Festival has been a venerable institution between two countries, and provided Fort Erie with more than three decades of entertainment and experiences; it has been an amazing 32 years but all good things come to an end at some point,” said Dave Sevcik, president of board of directors. “The board has taken a look at the financial framework needed going forward and the changing landscape of fairs and festivals across the province, and made the tough decision to announce that 2019 was the last year.”

Declines in budget, brought on by significant drops in bingo-driven revenues and sponsorships, were the final nail for the once great festival, which is packing up after a 32-year run.  The Friendship Festival was once the crown jewel of Niagara festivals, attracting stars as large as Johnny Cash and The Highwayman, along with the usual array of Canadian stars from Kim Mitchell to Theory of a Deadman. Tens of thousands of people annually flocked to the festival, which most years took place under the City of Fort Erie's iconic Mather Arch.

Unlike their actions in other parts of the world, the Americans quietly pulled out of the festival nearly a decade ago, leaving the Canadians to celebrate the festival's original concept of bi-national friendship all alone. 

“Once the Americans backed out, that was it,” said Ward 1 Coun. George McDermott. “