The Sault Ste. Marie Canal District is heating up this year, with special events and concerts all summer long.
This renovated and reimagined historic area in the Soo is home to four restaurants, a gelato mill, an outdoor adventure store complete with indoor climbing wall, an exhibit centre-gallery, an outdoor event centre, a rink, and the newly built station for the Agawa Canyon Train Tour.
“We feel like we have finally arrived,” said spokesperson Melissa Porco. “Last summer, the train was still operating at 50% capacity, so we weren’t quite there yet. This year, with the train at full capacity, 850 people a day are arriving and departing from this station, and are looking for something to eat, something to drink, something to buy, and something to do. We have it all, here.”
The Canal District has the space and capacity to hold events both large and small. “We can hold outdoor events in our large, covered area, and the indoor events in our event space, The Machine Shop,” explained Porco.
The district’s next event is the Rotary Wheels on the Water festival on July 14. The fest is open to the public from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Abraxas, a Santana tribute band, are playing a free concert at 8 p.m. “They are really a great band,” enthused Porco. “This should be a really fun night out for everyone.”
July 21, The Machine Shop is pleased to host Canadian country rock singer-songwriter, Cory Marks, in concert.
Marks has released two albums, “This Man” in 2015 under Big Star Recordings, and most recently “Who I Am” in 2020 under Better Noise.
Since its release the later album has accumulated over 150 million streams globally with Marks’ debut single "Outlaws & Outsiders" certified Platinum in Canada. The album reached the top 10 in US rock radio and made number 3 in Germany, making Marks the only Canadian country act to reach these heights.
Marks brand-new six-song EP,” I Rise”, is just out, and with over 140 million global streams to date, he is currently on a month-long tour with label mates Five Finger Death Punch and country star Brantley Gilbert.
“Cory is from North Bay originally, and he is really excited to be back up north, playing for all of us,” said Porco. “He can’t wait to get here.”
Marks will be playing indoors at The Machine Shop, and there will be a BBQ and cash bar outside as well. “It’s an all-ages event, we want to have food and drinks for everyone, and just a chance for everyone to get together and have a great time, then go in and enjoy this incredible musician in concert,” said Porco.
Tickets for the Cory Marks concert are only $37.71 and can be purchased online here.
“We have lots more events lined up through the summer and well into the fall,” said Porco. “We have a Beatles Tribute band coming in August, and Canadian Country Music star Gord Bamford is coming on November 8. We are starting to book into 2024 as well,” she explained.
It looks like The Canal District is the place to be, for great events, food, and company.
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