Port Colborne marked the start of another Welland Canal shipping season with its annual Top Hat Ceremony this weekend.
Sunday morning, Mayor Bill Steele presented Captain Donald Kemp with a ceremonial beaver felt top hat in recognition of his ship, the Radcliffe R. Latimer, being the first through the Canal this year.
Steele talked about the special importance this ceremony has to the captain.
This year also featured two new traditions. The first was a generational bell rung three times - once each for the past, present, and future of those who work on the Canal.
The Mayor said the idea came from speaking with the Navy League Association, who use it for other local ceremonies in the city.
The second was ending things by counting down to a horn blast from Kemp's ship.
Despite the rainy weather, Steele said turnout was higher than usual, with many coming to observe the latest additions to this year's festivities.