Massive Mario Kart-style go-kart track now open in Niagara Falls

From CBC News: Drivers, start your engines — a massive, roller coaster-like go-kart racetrack is now open in Niagara Falls, Ont. Tourism company HOCO Limited unveiled its new “Niagara Speedway” attraction on the Clifton Hill entertainment strip this week. “It’s like go-karts on steroids,” said Harry Oakes, HOCO’s president, in a statement. “You drive on…

Read More

A sportscaster who specialized in fantasy

This is kind of a random article that came across my news feed about Bill Stern, a sports broadcaster from the 1940s. I have no idea if this particular story is true, but a Philadelphia Enquirer story shares the following… In 1946, Stern told the story of millionaire Harry Oakes. Decades earlier Oakes had been a hobo….

Read More

Lots and lots of links about the Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) in Niagara Falls

If you are interested in Niagara Falls, then you probably saw some of the articles that the Niagara Falls Review had about the Destination Marketing Fee (or DMF). It is essentially a fee that many tourism companies charge that can be used for whatever that company wants. It is not a true tax, there is no…

Read More

ZAVITZ: Historic property ready for another chapter

From the Niagara Falls Review: As recently reported in the Review, a massive redevelopment is underway on the south side of Clifton Hill between Queen Victoria Park and Victoria Avenue. The property, a very popular entertainment and dining area on the Street of Fun, is owned by HOCO Ltd. As the company’s president Harry Oakes…

Read More

Major changes for Clifton Hill

From the Niagara Falls Review: Expect to see some multi-million dollar changes taking place near the top of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. Older buildings like the Comfort Inn are slated for demolition, businesses like Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and Kelsey’s Restaurant are being renovated or expanded, and new interactive entertainment features are…

Read More

Keeping things fresh at HOCO

From the Niagara Falls Review: Strapped into articulating yellow chairs and wearing 3D glasses, riders on the new XD Theater ride on Clifton Hill don’t know what they’re in for. But as the lights dim and the massive screen in front of them comes to life, they’re suddenly aboard a futuristic roller coaster hurtling them…

Read More

ERNIE’S GOLD: A Prospector’s Tale – by Brian (Chip) Martin

This isn’t exactly about Niagara Falls, but it does relate to Harry Oakes, one of the key historical figures in Niagara Falls. From RepublicOfMining.com: In the early 1900s, young Ernie Martin immigrated from Staffordshire, England, to Canada to seek his fortune. He finally ended up in Kirkland Lake, where gold was to be found if…

Read More

Tourism ‘flat’ in Falls

From the Niagara Falls Review: It could be better. It could be worse. But with the peak season of tourism upon us, the general consensus among operators is business has been “mediocre” and “flat,” says Niagara Falls Tourism chairman Wayne Thomson. “Some of the properties are behind a little bit, or slightly ahead,” he said….

Read More