Crystal Beach tourism hub launches with ACB umbrella stroll
Original article courtesy of Fort Erie Radio
Decorated umbrellas kept market-goers cool under the Saturday morning sun and dry during afternoon showers as Advancing Crystal Beach (ACB) held its annual Umbrella Market Stroll to kick off summer in Crystal Beach.
Registration opened at 10 a.m. on Derby Road, where participants entered a best-umbrella contest before heading west down Erie Road toward the new tourism hub.
Crystal Beach Tattoo Company won the merchant umbrella decorating contest during Saturday’s stroll, earning a complimentary advertisement in ACB’s annual business brochure.
ACB launched its new tourism hub on Erie Road the same day, bringing its tourism booth and Magical Memories of Crystal Beach museum space under one roof for summer.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio
Town funding for the tourism hub doubled from $4,500 in 2025 to $9,000 in 2026 through the town’s economic development budget. Scott Boumeester, president, said the additional money will allow ACB to hire summer students and pay them fully from that funding.
Boumeester credited the hub renovation to a more youthful ACB board of directors, telling Fort Erie Radio that five of ACB’s members are under 35 and drove the project forward.
“They bring different skill sets, different ideas, different get up and go,” said Boumeester. “They push us, they challenge us, and they’ve got great ideas.”
ACB leaders and volunteers with the newly launched tourism hub on Erie Road in Crystal Beach. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio
“We’re all in with Crystal Beach,” said Boumeester.
ACB is also developing an electronic survey platform with the town to track where visitors are coming from and how much they are spending, with that data shared with the town and the BIA.
The Crystal Beach BIA is in the process of rebuilding its website with a full business directory to help promote local businesses and draw visitors digitally.
From left: Emily Carson, 10, stands with Aubrey, 5, and brother Jeremiah, 8, alongside their mother Cathleen Carson at the ACB Umbrella Market Stroll. Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio
“It’s about doing stuff, not just talking about it. We’re going to get on with stuff and get some action and do some work,” said Boumeester.
Credit: Andrew Hawlitzky | Fort Erie Radio
