Hamilton Day is an annual celebration held not for the city itself, but for the locals within it.
What some Hamiltonians don’t know is the origin story of this locally loved event.
In 1931, when the Great Depression was at a high and morals a low, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce created a solution that would boost the city’s economy and overall morale.
The solution was Hamilton Day.
During the pandemic in 2021, the celebration returned for the same purpose.
In high demand of Hamiltonians, Hamilton Day became an annual event to promote and advocate for small businesses.
This year’s Hamilton Day went strong throughout the first weekend of November.
There were more than 1,000 local participating businesses, pop-up markets, tours, concerts and more.
Some coffee shops produced green-accented baked goods – the brand colour of Hamilton Day. Other businesses, like Collective Arts, had Hamilton Day deals for incoming customers.
There were also a few locations hosting live music for patrons to enjoy.
Activities took place throughout Hamilton’s 11 business improvement districts, as well as James Street and Hess Village, from Waterdown to Stoney Creek.
Guided tours were also available to show newcomers and locals alike what the city has to offer.
On their Instagram, the Hamilton Day official account expressed their gratitude for everyone who showed their support that weekend.
“Thank you for getting out and shopping, experiencing, exploring your way through Hamilton’s small business community,” they said.
For more information about Hamilton Day, visit hamiltonday.ca.
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