Windsor deals with smoke for second day

Windsor-Essex events have been cancelled as smoke hangs around for the second consecutive day. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco checks in.

The smoke is still here and so are the consequences as the haze hangs over the region for a second straight day.

Plans are being upended and business are pivoting as a result with many hoping the weekend isn’t a wash.

“This is our busiest time,” noted Laura Fancsy, General Manager of Viewpointe Estate Winery.

“July is usually some of our biggest sales, especially Saturdays so far for us. Trying to pivot, just make it as easy as possible for people to still come out and still get their winery experience.”

Heading into the weekend, management is pivoting as the smoke lingers.

“This weekend we’re going to try and move as much furniture and fit as many people in here as we can with more tables and chairs,” Fancsy told CTV News.

Wineries across Southern Ontario are also pivoting and readjusting tours. Fancsy says one group cancelled earlier this week, but people are inquiring about Saturday.

“We’ve had a couple of phone calls already about, ‘I have a group of 24 that wants to come for a tasting, do you have availability?’” Fancsy said.

Macassa Bay is available but had to deal with two cancelled cruises Thursday and another Friday afternoon.

“There’s a lot of revenue missed.” Tammy Mancini said, co-owner of Macassa Bay. “We did get a lot of phone calls. We did reschedule most people. A lot of people were from out of town and asked for refunds which we did accommodate.”

Poor air quality hasn’t stopped the Detroit Princess and other cruise liners from sailing the Detroit River.

The Macassa Bay resumes sailing Friday night with a sunset cruise under the hazy sky.

“All cruises will be scheduled to run starting tomorrow (Saturday). No more cancellations.”

Some events have been cancelled while others are still a go.

Windsor’s Downtown Market is one that is taking a pause for the weekend, which is inconvenient for some vendors.

“For some vendors it is.” said Joe Bouzide of Kranicz Orchards.

“I would say it’s not great to lose a main source of income for a whole weekend. We’re a little more protected here because we have a fruit stand that’s fairly busy on the weekends.

For some, the cancellation worked out.

Dog Days of Summer is an event that was scheduled for the Downtown Market Saturday, but is on hold until Aug. 1.

“It’s not good for the dogs. I’ve already asked a few people who had said no before and they’re available for that [Aug. 1st],” said organizer Karanbir Singh.

“My goal is to make it even bigger now that we have an extra two weeks and there was already so many promotions that had gone into it so maybe it’ll be much bigger and better than what was supposed to happen tomorrow.”

While many look for relief, Environment Canada says bad air quality could persist into the weekend so check the weather forecast and alerts.