Thunder on the Niagara is August 2 and 3, 2025 featuring hydroplanes boat racing at Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda. Admission is $20 and includes parking.

Hydroplanes float on a pocket of air and they will be races on the Niagara River from 9:30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. FREE to watch but they charge you a fair amount for parking. Very cool.

Saturday, August 2, 2025
  • 6:00 am –  Main entrance (Witmer Rd.) open for VIP, Officials, Vendors only. Ward Rd entrance open for spectators only.
  • 7:00 am – Pits open
  • 9:00 am Safety meeting in pits – Coast Guard, petrol boats, buoy crew, pit workers, dive team,
  • 10:00 am – First heat
  • 5:00 pm – End of racing – River open
    Northern entrance restricted for fireworks and NT Emergency equipment only
  • 6:00-8:00 pm – Pit party pavilion for contestants, sponsors, officials and workers
  • 8:00 pm – Pit security / pits close

Sunday, August 3, 2025

  • 6:30 am – Security at main gate – entrance closed VIP, Officials, and vendors
  • 9:45 pm – Playing of the US, Canadian, and New Zealand National Anthems
    Flag laps with vintage Skiffs – Words of welcome by Mayor of NT
  • 10:15 am – First heat
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Intermission — Vintage GP and Vintage Skiffs
  • 5:00 pm River open
  • 6:00 pm Awards