The first vessel to arrive at the Port of Goderich following the official opening of the Welland Canal is presented with the ceremonial top hat. This tradition dates back to the 1930s, and has its roots in early Great Lakes shipping, when it was often a race to get into port first after the ice break up.
During the top hat ceremony, the captain is presented with the antique top hat and each captain signs the hat. This year the first ship in the Harbour was the Algoma Intrepid captained by Capt. Joe Costello.