Winterfest
Classic Event - Summit Bids & FREE Admission for Spectators!
CLOSED
January 17, 2026
Meridian Centre, St. Catharines, ON
About
Event Info:
Join us at the Meridian Centre, St. Catharines, ON, this Winter for a Classic event now with Summit Bids!
Winter Fest will be FREE admission for all spectators.
Registration
Schedule
Performance Order & General Schedule:
Where to Watch:
Watch all performances for FREE on CanadianCheer.TV!
Event Photos:
Find and download amazing professional photos from the event for FREE on SmugMug.
Hotels & Area
Area Tourism Site:
While you’re in town why not see some sites, visit some museums or get out an enjoy the beautiful outdoors?
Hotel Booking:
Book your hotel in the Canadian Cheer App or find more hotel information for this event by clicking on the link below.
Area Map:
Spectators
2025-26 Spectator Admission:
- Admission for this event is free, however, all spectators require a ticket for entry to the event.
- Athletes do not require a ticket.
Ticket Scanning:
- Ensure you have your phones open and tickets displayed on the screen and ready after security.
- We do NOT have public Wi-Fi; adding the tickets to your Apple or Google wallet will help guarantee a speedy and seamless entry, and does not require internet connection
Directions:
Parking:
- There are two covered parking garages downtown within a 6 minute walk of the venue. The Ontario St. Garage and the Carlisle St Garage.
- Both garages have accessible parking in them.
- For all parking and directions please refer to map and guide below
Accessible Parking:
- There is limited parking available at the Meridian Centre and while the majority of free spaces are converted to accessible parking during an event, they fill up quickly. The Meridian Centre recommends those with accessibility requirements park at the Carlisle Street Garage
Door Times:
- Doors for attendees open at 7:30am through the Rankin Gateway bridge on St. Paul street, or the Front lobby entrance only.
Sports Fan Zone:
- Football fans, we have you covered! Stop by the sports fan zone in section 102, to check out the scores and highlights in between cheer routines.
Security Checks:
- Guests must pass through security before entering the venue.
- Bags must be opened for quick inspection.
- No outside food or beverage is permitted inside the venue.
- You may bring an empty plastic refillable container.
- No large coolers are permitted.
- Water refill stations are located outside section 103, 108, 113 and 116.
- Click here for all conditions of entry.
Entrance Locations:
- Enter through the Front Lobby/Box Office entrance located on David S Howes Way
- Cross the Rankin Bridge (across from Pizza Pizza) from St. Paul St or
- Click here for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Meridian Centre, your home for entertainment in the Heart of Niagara!
Schedule of Events:
- The tentative performance schedule has been posted under the “Schedule” tab. As changes are made, the schedule will be updated, and all coaches will receive an email notifying that the schedule has been updated.
- Although all Canadian Cheer events are known for being run on time, unforeseen circumstances sometimes cause times to shift slightly. Last minute schedule changes and team performance times can shift without them being posted here. Spectators, please be aware there may be a change in the performance time of the team you came to watch. We will always attempt to ensure that this does not affect any teams negatively.
Awards:
- Please pay attention when awards ceremonies are scheduled.
- Your athletes’ awards ceremonies are typically scheduled after the athletes’ session has finished.
Food & Concessions:
- Debit and credit will help expedite service; we have a limited number of cash tills at each concession stand.
- No outside food or beverage is permitted inside the venue.
- You may bring an empty plastic refillable container.
- No large coolers are permitted.
- Water refill stations are located outside section 103, 108, 113 and 116.
Photography:
- No telephoto lenses, SLR or professional photography equipment will be allowed.
- Our events are professionally photographed and all the photos are available for free here.
Coaches
Tallies & Score Breakdowns Are Available In the Coaches BAND Group
Gym Admin – Please contact info@canadiancheer.com for access
Coaches – Please contact your gym administrator for access
- Please see Cheer Canada’s and/or IASF Image Policy for details.
- We kindly request that ALL Coaches, and athletes do not enter the practice area until their report time.
- Athletes will need wristbands from their coaches to gain access to the venue. Please arrange to meet your athletes in the LOBBY to distribute wristbands.
- Spectators will be able to purchase tickets at the event.
- Coaches of young teams are kindly asked to arrange meeting times with parents for before AND after their performance. Please ensure that parents are clearly aware of where to pick up their child after the performance.
- Reminder, parents are not permitted in the Practice Gym.
- There will be no officially scheduled Coaches Meeting.
- Should you have any questions please report to the Registration Desk who will be able to contact the convenor, Judge’s coordinator or event manager.
- Please be sure to turn in all Coaches Code of Conduct, waivers, and athlete’s Date of Birth.
- Participants without these forms/info turned in will not be permitted to enter the warm-up facility or performance floor.
- All events will be deducting for illegal skills and falls.
- Please review this season’s competition guidelines.
- Be sure to also note our Score Check procedure.
- The judging process will assess the difficulty, execution of choreography and overall effectiveness of each routine using our standardized judging form.
- There will be a point deduction and legalities judge who will be responsible for assessing falls and illegal elements.
- Deductions for bobbles will be deducted per judge from the overall impression score.
- Please be aware of the Score Check policy.
- Each program will receive a link to a google drive folder where their Score Sheets will be digitally uploaded.
- Score sheets will be available after the division awards ceremonies.
- Canadian Cheer follows Cheer Canada Scoring & Divisions
Classic Events:
- There will be a dedicated warm-up area at the venue for athletes prior to their competition time. The practice gym will be equipped with a 9-mat practice floor, warm-up mats & 60’ sprung tumble strip.
All other events (Championship & Premier):
- There will be a dedicated warm-up area at the venue for athletes prior to their competition time. The practice gym will be equipped with full sprung floors, warm-up mats & 60’ sprung tumble strip.
- There will be sports therapists as well as emergency response personnel available for the day to ensure that athletes and spectators can be well cared for if necessary.
- The therapists will have supplies for their use only and will not be supplying them freely.
- The role of these people is to deal with injuries, not to tape wrists and ankles.
- Kindly plan to bring your own athletic tape.
- Canadian Cheer will not be providing spotters for the event.
- If coaches feel they should provide their own spotters for the team, please contact Canadian Cheer prior to the event.
- No deductions will be made for teams providing their own spotters provided these spotters do not provide hands-on assistance, visual or verbal cueing.
- All music must be in CD or Mp3 format. NOTE: Do not use CD-RW!
- If using the Mp3 option, please ensure that the track is on its own playlist.
- It is highly recommended that each team have a back-up copy of the routine CD at the music table in the event that there is a problem with the primary CD or Mp3.
- It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that their music is error free and plays on the music system.
- Once the team is positioned at the “in the hole” waiting area, event staff will escort the coach to the music station.
- All teams will enter the floor from a tunnel located back of stage right of the performance floor.
- In order to keep the competition on schedule, teams must immediately take the floor once announced.
- Inspirational words or cheers should be done prior to being announced.
- There will be event staff in position to give teams notice of the amount of time remaining.
- Following the performance, teams will be directed to exit the floor back stage left and directed through to the video replay area.
- There will be a variety of clothing items available for purchase at the PRO Cheer booth.
- Please be sure to come to the stores to see what’s available.
- IF Event shirts were available for pre-order, you can pick them up at the PRO Cheer booth.