Niagara 5000 will race back to Niagara for year three
Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Alana Hurov says the two-day event, a fundraiser for McMaster Children’s Hospital, promises to be bigger and faster than ever
With the roar of Niagara Falls as a backdrop, the Niagara 5000 team, led by CEO and NOTL resident Alana Hurov, unveiled plans for the third annual event.
Organizers unveiled the full 2026 program at a press conference held at the Table Rock Centre. Scheduled for September 18 and 19, the event promises to be bigger, faster and, with the Italian Chamber of Commerce jumping into the passenger seat, fantastico.
The heart of the event is putting charity first. The September 18 Supercar Parade and Exotics Festival aims to raise more than $30,000 this year for MacKids, roughly triple the amount raised at last year’s event.
“Funds raised through the Supercar Parade will help McMaster Children’s Hospital provide specialized care for children and families across South-Central Ontario, including Niagara Region,” said Sherri Bocchini, vice-president, philanthropy and partnerships at Hamilton Health Science Foundation.
Expressing her gratitude to Niagara 5000’s organizers, participants and sponsors, Bocchini added, “McMaster Children’s Hospital serves as the only pediatric trauma centre in the entire region. It has Canada’s largest and most advanced neonatal intensive care units. It also has Ontario’s largest inpatient child and youth mental health units, and is home to the only pediatric, inpatient cancer program in our region.”
Last year’s event drew more than 10,000 attendees and featured upwards of 230 supercars. According to Hurov, “the plan for 2026 is to deliver our most ambitious and immersive experience, bringing together world-class supercars, private jets, yachts, luxury hospitality, and exclusive VIP experiences across two days.”
In attendance was Melanie Villeneuve, daughter of the late racing legend Gilles Villeneuve. She is currently in production on a biopic celebrating her father’s life. Organizers are planning an exclusive inside look at the feature film currently under production.
Villeneuve is also scheduled to headline a special fireside chat at The Hangar Experience at the Niagara District Airport, where she will share unique insights into the making of the film and offer a rare glimpse into how her father’s global heritage is being brought to the screen.
Stan Cho, the Provincial Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, was present for the kick-off and shared that the Niagara 5000 was recently awarded a $55,000 tourism grant.
When asked what earned the Niagara 5000 the grant, Cho explained that the applications are reviewed on a point system through the ministry.
“We want to make sure it’s a multi-day festival,” said Cho, in explaining the criteria. “We want to make sure that we’re bringing in tourists and people from outside of the area. There’s a certain (distance) requirement, and Niagara 5000 scored really well on that independent objective scoring mechanism.”
Cho added, “The idea is we want people to stay here for more than four hours. We want them to stay for four days. And it’s events and festivals like this that are really going to drive that traffic and give more meaningful tourism experiences. People want to experience something new, they want to learn something new, they want to taste something different, and Niagara 5000 provides that opportunity in a very meaningful way.”
“Niagara 5000 has become a defining moment on Canada’s luxury calendar, and 2026 is our boldest chapter yet,” said Hurov. “We’re bringing together the worlds of supercars, aviation, film, and philanthropy in one weekend and doing it in the most spectacular setting in the country.”
“Events like Niagara 5000 help protect and grow Ontario’s tourism economy by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing the incredible destinations found across our province,” added Cho. “As Niagara continues to evolve as a world-class tourism destination, experiences like this create jobs, generate economic activity and give people even more reasons to choose Ontario.”
By Joy Sanguedolce, NOTL.com
