Source: Niagara this Week, September, 2012

St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan will be looking to “stomp” out the competition this Saturday during the annual St. Catharines Jaycees Mayor’s Grape Stomp.

The 39th annual competition takes place Saturday, Sept. 22, during the kick-off for the Niagara Wine Festival, and it’s become a long-standing tradition.

“It’s always a lot of fun,” said Steve Boese, a member of the JCI St. Catharines (St. Catharines Jaycees) and project co-chair. “It’s a fun challenge, but there’s always a good competition going on.”

McMullan was the champion last year, and he will be joined by invitees from across the region, including mayors, regional councillors and other politicians. They will be competing for the trophy, trying to stomp as much juice as possible out of a bushel of grapes.

The first stomp starts at 12:30 p.m. In addition to the politicians, members of the Grape Growers of Ontario, former Grape Kings, and members of the Niagara IceDogs will be stomping that afternoon. There will also be a children’s stomp for the winners of the Pied Piper Parade.

The event, said Boese, typically lasts about an hour, and is capped off with the finals between the participating politicians.

“Last year Mayor McMullan was quite proud,” Boese said. “It will definitely be a good challenge again this year.”

The event was started many years ago, said Boese, as a way for the Jaycees to help connect the community with community leaders, the politicians. The Jaycees, now known as JCI St. Catharines, are part of a worldwide non-profit organization of young people ranging in age from 18-40. The group’s mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership skills, social responsibility and fellowship necessary to create positive change.

The grape stomp is free to attend, and all are welcome to the family friendly event.