Students and employees were full of energy and school spirit representing Niagara College at the 2024 Grape and Wine Festival Grande Parade on September 28 in downtown St. Catharines.
More than 100 students were aboard NC’s lively parade float, where they danced and sang beneath a canopy of flags representing the cultural diversity of the College’s student body.
Noble of Niagara also joined the fun, walking alongside the float and interacting with community members who were happy to meet NC’s new Knights mascot.
This year’s float was a coordinated effort by the Athletics and Student Engagement and Community Relations and Events departments, who led the College’s large parade team.
NC’s parade team with Noble of Niagara
“Our students had a great time representing the college and building excitement,” said Ali Weir, Manager, Student Engagement. “We’ve heard some great feedback about our float, new mascot and the energy of the students was palpable.”
Also among the parade participants was NC’s Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Craig Youdale, who walked – in pink heeled crocs – with a group from Gillian’s Place to promote the organization’s upcoming Walk a Mile in HER Shoes fundraiser.
Youdale is an ambassador for this year’s fundraising walk, which takes place at the Pen Centre on October 19. He will lead a team representing NC called the Niagara College WALK STARS who are raising funds to support the local gender-based violence shelter.
Dean Craig Youdale with a group of students and staff from the School of Culinary Arts and Benchmark at the 2024 Grape and Wine Grande Parade
The Grape and Wine Festival is Canada’s largest wine festival, celebrating the Niagara region and the bounty of harvest.
The Teaching Winery was a stop along the festival’s fall Discovery Pass route, while faculty and staff poured a selection of NC wines at Montebello Park for guests.
The College also marked the harvest season with a grape stomp on campus, an annual tradition at the Teaching Winery. This year, students from the Winery and Viticulture Technician and Beverage Business Management programs experienced the ancient winemaking practice after picking grapes in the campus vineyard.
