Looking to have some fun in downtown St. Catharines today?

In spite of the threatening weather, there is ample opportunity to head to downtown St. Catharines and have some fun and support a host of great causes.  I've rounded up three of the big events underway today you might want to make time for.

First of all, throughout the day today until 7 this evening, the Buick Test Drive Event is on in the parking lot at the Meridian Centre.  The Buick Drive For Your Students event is hosted by John Bear Buick GMC and MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity, and connects schools with local Buick dealerships to host interactive community fundraising events.

Today, you can drive a brand spanking-new Buick or GMC vehicle to help local schools in Niagara raise money.  Here in St. Catharines, funds raised from the test-drives will help the DSBN Academy purchase new instruments.  For every test-drive, Buick will donate $ 20 to the DSBN up to $10,000.  That's a real financial shot in the arm for the DSBN, and it's a fun way to make a difference in the community.

Since this is also the day of Rick Dykstra's popular Hockey Night in St. Catharines fundraiser, our local MP and organizer of the event will be on hand along with players from the Niagara Ice Dogs to encourage residents to get behind the wheel for a good cause.  You can park in the lot if you are doing the test-drive, and yes, you can bring your camera.

Speaking of Hockey Night in St. Catharines, the marquee event of the summer for hockey fans in Niagara returns for a sixth straight year at a new venue - the Meridian Centre.  New location, but still the successful mix of former NHL players and Niagara Ice Dogs along with some other celebrity players coming together to raise money for the United Way of St. Catharines & District.

This event has become so successful it has become the top fundraiser for the local United Way for the past five years.  Hockey Night in St. Catharines 6 will benefit both the United Way as well as the Steve Ludzik Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Program at the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

Steve, who is co-host of the event with Rick Dykstra, is a former Chicago Blackhawk player and Tampa Bay Lightning coach, and has himself been living with Parkinson's disease for awhile now.  He says "The players have been incredibly generous with their time when it comes to supporting good causes", and this is a very special cause indeed.

The rosters are still coming together, apparently, but it has been confirmed the celebrity referee will be former NHL Hall of Famer Ron Hoggarth, and players include Ludzik, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive and many more.  I would imagine Rick will be lacing up the skates as well.

General admission tickets are available for $15 each at the Meridian Centre box office, as well as Rick's constituency office at 61 Geneva Street and at the United Way of St. Catharines & District office at 63 Church Street in downtown St. Catharines.

Finally, why not make a full day of fun in downtown St. Catharines by enjoying dinner out at a great downtown establishment during Downtown D'Lish?  Participating restaurants have special lunch and dinner menus through to August 29th, and the fixed-price menus range from $15 to $40, depending on the restaurant.

The list of restaurants participating is long, and includes everything from The Works to Gord's Place to The Blue Mermaid.  Just Google Downtown D'Lish to find a list of participating restaurants and remember to call ahead to make your reservations directly with the restaurant.

So there you go - the whole day planned out for you right in downtown St. Catharines.  Helping out great causes and having a fabulous meal at a super price.  What could be better?

Enjoy the day!

August 20th, 2015.