When today's visitors think of Niagara falls they think of the falls, grapes and wine, or entertainments. At one time no one associated grapes with Niagara Falls. The region was know for its miles upon miles of Cherry orchards. This heritage is continued through the St. Mark's Cherry Festival. The festival is held in St Mark's Church, a national heritage building founded in 1792. The church is located in Niagara On The Lake and is still a fully operational parish serving the local community. There is a rich heritage in the building. It served as a hospital during the War of 1812. Some of the rifle pits dug by the American soldiers still remain.
The Rectory contains one of the oldest libraries in Ontario with priceless books dating the 16th century. The building has a number of inscriptions on the walls that reveal the area's history. The picturesque setting and stone walls make it the perfect place for the Cherry Festival. Few of today's visitors may attend the festival for heritage and history reasons. They come for the tasty treats. Everything possible is available including cherry pies, jams, baked goods, treats, and gift items.
Mini events include a grab bag table, silent auction, yard sale and raffle. Visitors can wander through the booths while waiting their chance to take a guided tour of the historical grounds, or to enjoy one of the live entertainment displays. This is an outdoor event. The friendly locals create a casual atmosphere giving the area a break from the overdone, plastic entertainments of the Niagara region.
