War of 1812 Discovery Series (#7 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Christmas 1812 Style... (Part Three)
In Upper Canada, the 104th Regiment in Kingston had much more comfortable quarters and therefore enjoyed Christmas better than that of others. Some Officers were invited into the homes of local folks. An old tradition started at this time called “First Footing”. This tradition determined the fortunes of the families for the coming year by the first visitor on Christmas day. If a poor woman arrived at your door first it was considered a bad omen, while if a handsome man visited bringing salt or coal a good year was expected. Today, I believe we all enjoy our visitors no matter their arrival order, but as we go to elaborate efforts for our celebrations, I believe we are always relieved to see the last visitor “leave” so we can get some much needed rest! In 1814, they say that the most significant Christmas parties occurred in Ghent, Belgium, after the signing of the peace treaty ending the War of 1812. Apparently an American and British representative sat down to enjoy a beef dinner with plum pudding brought over especially from England. We are told the orchestra played “God Save the King” and “Yankee Doodle” while they made toasts and drank to the health of King George and President Madison. It seems difficult to obtain many recollections of the Christmas celebrations during the War. Christmas for some was recognized as an important religious event, where the Germans and English held a special church service, followed by a simple fine dinner with minimal decorations.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#7 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Christmas 1812 Style... (Part Two)
There are some recordings of Christmas celebrations in the army during the War of 1812, but the festivities and decorations that we expect to see during our Christmas season did not take place during that time. For today’s Historic Sites and current re-enactment purposes (to avoid misrepresentation and the authenticity of the time) these sights might be decorated as a wintertime ball, representing the festive spirit and ways during the Christmas season and winter months. There are a few accounts of Christmas celebrations during the War of 1812. In the 1800’s soldiers were fortunate to be allowed “time off”, mid afternoon, to enjoy just a traditional Sunday, but in turn, had to forgo their time for dinner. 1806 brought better fortune to the soldiers, who received advanced pay, so that they could purchase three good meals for the different messes on Christmas day. They enjoyed religious tunes during Church, where the psalm singers and a drummer performed. With the abundance of food available to us today we seem to get “frazzled” with having to make choices, such as fresh turkey or pre-basted, home-make treats or store purchased boxes, wine or beer, canned cranberries whole or jellied, etc. etc. The food choices during the War of 1812 period were not very diverse. In 1807, the 40th Regiment chose to go to shore to purchase flour, raisins, fat and beer to enjoy their hearty feast. If the soldiers were in the field serving, their efforts were just that more challenging. In 1813, the 7th Royal Fusiliers recounted Christmas being successful by the contributions of every man. They contributed meat, wine and some money to purchase a couple of sheep for a meal, pies, puddings. this was all finished with a treat of fresh apples! They also enjoyed music provided by bandsmen playing tunes. They all danced to reels and jigs! In 1813, the 43rd Light Infantry recalled seeing a simple celebration at a corporal’s quarters with a poor woman and her child enjoying a small pudding by the warmth of a fire beside a tree.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#7)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Christmas 1812 Style... (Part One)
As the snow falls in Ontario one week before Christmas, I am well aware how fortunate our community is to be miraculously by-passed by the over 100 cm of snow that literally caused a “State of Emergency” in many parts of Ontario! We have no accumulation of snow in Cobourg, even though the temperatures are averaging minus 10 degrees even before the chilly gusty winds are taken into consideration! I feel extremely fortunate to have a goose-down filled jacket and warm attire. Recently I volunteered at Lang Pioneer Village during their “Christmas by Candlelight”. This is a re-enactment of early 19th century Christmas in rural Ontario. From my research, it appeared to be difficult to function during the cold winter months and at Christmas, during this period of time, especially compared with the modern day conveniences we enjoy today! If we forget to gather a gift for our friends and family, we can just go “on-line” and purchase a “gift card”! A lot of us feel so stressed and rushed in today’s society, that I believe we forget to recognize the simple pleasures in life and perhaps the true meaning of Christmas. As I have been writing about the War of 1812 and the re-enactments of that period of time, I wondered what Christmas, during the period would be like. The hardships that we “think” we experience today, like crowded parking lots, long line-ups at convenient stores, options and choices galore, seem minimal compared to the hardships during the War! Did they even celebrate Christmas?

(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#6 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Beating of the War (Part Three)...
The terminology used in Drumming is complex. There are many stages in just preparing for drumming, each time you venture out. You need to “strap up your drum”. That is place the rim around your hip almost on your left side. You need to build up your muscles in your shoulders and back to be able to survive the day at a re-enactment (not to mention your sore feet)! You will need to learn how to hold the sticks correctly, learn how to let the sticks naturally rebound without being so stiff yourself. There are many terms used for drumming the sticks (as my sister said), such as double stroke roll, ruffs, flams, sextuplets, paradiddles. My sister, Carol, tells me that there is always the danger of your drum strap breaking and to quote her … “you end up hop, fling, drumming along. Loose a stick and get blisters double beating (hopefully you don’t get court marshalled when the flying stick hits the officer)”. There are specific names for the drills of sets of drumming such as Breakfast call, Reveille, Assembly, Drummer’s Call, Retreat and so many more. And don’t forget your “good posture”, a must for proper Military Etiquette. On a windy day, your posture might go right out to pasture! As my sister says … “just be sure you don't slip on the cow patty or horse poop”!

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#6 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Beating of the War (Part Two)...
The initial decision in becoming a drummer might depend on choosing whether to become a drummer for Battle re-enactments, or to become one for educational living history purposes. It is an expensive hobby that begins with a few hundred dollars for a uniform and the equipment and a few hundred dollars for encampment re-enactments necessities, as tents and blankets. I understand that joining a unit may not be too expensive, if the unit has equipment to lend you. The drums can cost from $350-$600 and probably much more! No matter what the actual financial costs, you will need to be prepared to invest your TIME! As an integral part of re-enactments, the troop depends on you (the drummer) to attend! It takes time, effort, and loads of practice.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#6)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Beating the War... (Part One)
My older sister, Carol, is an amazing “Drummer”. She plays the drums for the Newmarket Citizen’s Band in parades and concerts. She also plays the tympanis extremely well! My heart stands still when I am at a performance or when I know she has a solo or important piece to “nail”. Recently she attended a festival as a Festival Nomad Correspondent for our Ontario Festivals Visited website. She took pictures for her article, while marching down a hill in a parade, playing the drum. It was an amazing perspective and an amazing feet (although I’m amazed she did not trip over her feet). I asked Carol about her thoughts of playing the drum for re-enactment’s for the period for the War of 1812. As accomplished as she is at “drumming” she informed me that "Drumming for Re-enacting" was completely different and much more difficult! She felt it would take constant practice and time to be able to confidently do re-enacting drumming. Carol says Drumming is very serious business. To quote her, “1812 type drumming is actually very hard. There are about 16 different patterns that one will fit any song. The drummer was one of the most important people in the unit. They also had drum signals for all sorts of things - like "get out of bed", "retreat", etc. The fancier the drum the more $$$ the officers had and probably the better taken care of by the troops.” I took some time to do some research on “Drumming” and found out that there is a LOT more to Drumming then I realized.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#5 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

A Musketeer 1812 and Now (Part Two)
While investigating the "how to’s" of learning all there is to know about how to use the Musket, I was amazed by all the terminology used. It would not only require a good memory, but an accurate one! An example of one command, when loading a Musket, is the term “cast about your piece”. To do this, "hold your left hand with the match, put the Musket butt on the ground on the outside of your left foot, make sure the muzzle is pointing away from you and others and the pan should point downwards". Oh my, that is a lot to remember for one stage of a long list of procedures just to “Give Fire”. I began to wonder how these instructions work if you are “left-handed”? Other interesting terms I discovered were “make ready”, “prime your piece”, “place the charge, place your ram, place your wadding”, “blow upon your colts”, “cock your match”, “present upon your piece”, “secure your scouring stick”, “open your pan” and finally “Give Fire”. All of these stages require specific foot stance, arm and hand positioning and a LOT of co-ordination!

Beyond this part of the battle, should the enemy not fall, some re-enactors may choose to partake in "hand-to-hand" combat. There are specific rules and conduct guidelines, of course, for this type of combat. It would not go over too well if an actual encounter became “an all out real brawl”! With any re-enactment, safety is the number one issue! There are strict guidelines about “gunpowder” as well, that must be adhered to. As frequent visitors to re-enactments, I was pleased to find out all of this information. It’s good to know the precautions are taken, and rest assured, we are safe!

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#5)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

A Musketeer 1812 and Now (Part One)
“You can actually visualize yourself being back in time! On the battlefield it is even more captivating. You can feel the intensity of the battle! Guns firing, smoke filling the air, soldiers marching and officers shouting orders, advances and retreats, all for the sake of authenticity! As the battle progresses, soldiers begin to fall as though they have been shot! They lie there as their comrades walk over them! The sun scorches their fallen bodies! Truly “in the heat of the battle”! There is so much happening; it’s hard to take it all in! Who notices that some of the “dead” have dragged themselves to the shade of the “old oak tree”? Who can tell that there are “dead men talking”! (quote from the Adventures of the Festival Nomad blog article “Dead Men Talking!).

From our visits over the past few years to re-enactments, I have noticed that during these well orchestrated battles not all soldiers actually “fire” their Muskets. After a bit of research, it seems today that there are specific laws and regulations regarding Musket usage. Canadian law states that an antique (or antique reproduction) flint-lock firearm do not require a standard Firearm Acquisition Certificate, but in order to purchase the black powder you must have a valid Possession and Acquisition License from the Federal Government. Once you have completed the proper paperwork, the fun begins … the training!

(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#4 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Do You Pass the Ten Foot Rule? (Part Three)
Beyond the actual re-enacting, I became aware of just how important being true to the Period Clothing was. Period Clothing now means, to us modern folk, that something is “old fashioned, junkie or, just outdated”! Ask someone “where’d you get that outfit … back in the 70’s?" and see what they say! Even the popular T.V. show “What Not To Wear” challenges people on “out-dated” clothing. However, Period Clothing to a re-enactor is clothing belonging to a very specific historical period and it needs to be is Period Correct in its accuracy! Apparently the "educated spectator" can be quite the “judgmental”! There are even terms used to demonstrate just how serious this "judgement" can be. The funniest term I found was “the ten foot rule”. This is a measurement from ten feet away. If it looks period from that distance, you just might pass! Who knows, from afar, if it's "leather or vinyl", has "too many threads per inch in the weave" or is "hand-made or factory made in Taiwan"? Apparently these “judgmental" spectators have disparaging remarks and names given to them from the re-enactors. Names such as “thread counters” and “garb snarks”. It’s a nasty game that I choose to stay out of! For us, we choose to enjoy all the extreme efforts put forth by the re-enactors and take pleasure being “transformed in time”!

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#4 - Continued)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Do You Pass the Ten Foot Rule? (Part Two)
The Festival Nomad and I have encountered such re-enactors and find that they truly added to our experience. Sometimes it’s even funny! Several highly skilled re-enactors stayed so much in character that it was difficult to follow the conversation. They spoke solely in the context of the period! Another time, two young re-enactors, although asked specific questions, kept within the period, as they answered the visitor’s questions. What was most impressive about these young re-enactors, in particular, was that when not being spoken to they continued the conversation between themselves in the period language. While visiting our nephew's War of 1812 re-enactment, it became obvious to us, again, just how important and seriously these young re-enactors take on their roles. In this case, the “battle” was taking place far down the field. This was where the majority of spectators were observing. We just happened to be at the other end of the field where the last batch of soldiers would join the battle. There were hardly any spectators there. However, the young re-enactors played their roles perfectly with all the correct commands bellowed and all the battle procedures followed! It seemed that these young re-enactors were drawn into the period, oblivious to “the spectators”. It was very real to them! They had become "living history"! By the re-enactors keeping within the framework of the battle, they drew us in and made the experience all the more enjoyable.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#4)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Do You Pass the Ten Foot Rule? (Part One)
We have acquaintances who are “Professional Re-enactors”. Some of them have extensive collections of weapons and costumes. Being “Period Correct” in uniform, weapons and language seem to be a high priority for 1812 re-enacting and re-enactors! If a re-enactor is wise, he/she will do his/her homework! There are many terms used to help navigate and keep the accuracy of a re-enactment true. Knowing what you are doing will help with the continuity of the re-enactment. Beginning with the language spoken, for example, a person who chooses to be a “Representative Interpreter” attempts to accurately portray a character that did not actually exist but could have existed based on historical research. “First Person” interpretation is a person portraying someone from the past who has no knowledge of modern life and doesn’t “drop character”. This leads to the “My time – Your time” interpreter who may say such things as “In my time we didn’t know about 'fast food' as you do in your time”. These interpreters know about the modern times as well as the past. This sometimes helps the interpreter communicate with visitors better than the “First Person” interpreter.
(To be continued)

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#3)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Our Daily Rations (Part Two)
As with any food, even with today’s top advanced technology, foods can spoil and nature can inhibit or prohibit the quantity and quality of food available. Limited supplies of food can result from bruised and damaged fresh produce (due long haul distances) or to droughts, torrential rains or flooding. In 1812, the challenges were more oriented to such things as lack of proper storage. In 1808, mice damaged over 500 pounds of flour at one garrison alone. Fish, (although not supported by the military as “seldom a part of the men’s diet”) caused concern over fluxes and dysentery. Fish was fine, when caught fresh and were in abundance in the rivers. Hunting was practiced by soldiers, adding grouse and pigeons to their diets. However, supplies in 1803, had a series of poor harvests thus reducing food surpluses. In the War of 1812, all able-bodied Canadians were moved from the fields into the militia ranks. As the garrisons increased in size, there was a decrease in farm production. No “job search” would help them replace the vacant positions in the fields. The army’s demand for beef could not be met. Alas, our military officials sought to obtain the supplies from the U.S.A. and thus reduce the enemy’s resources along the border (Free Trade today?) Pork was used in a similar situation and had similar challenges. With little variety and “daily rations” for many in 1812, it now makes me wonder what they would think about the “foolishness and waste” in our society today? Gluttony of food occurs today and contributes to many health related issues, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and just poor health in general! Perhaps we should all be aware of “our daily rations” and treat them as kindly as the soldiers of 1812 did!

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#3)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Our Daily Rations (Part One)
We are very blessed in our world some 200 years after the battles of the War of 1812. We have many choices for “our daily rations”. It seems even on limited budgets we are able to provide ourselves with a vast variety of cuisine! Even choices of foods from countries from literally around the world! We have fast food, prepared, packaged, frozen food, take-out food, eat-in food, microwavable food and so on! For many of us, we get to enjoy the bounty of our seasonal harvest, with ample fresh fruits and vegetables. With the War of 1812 Celebrations upon us, it led me to wonder about the choices of the brave men and women who fought for us. I don’t think “foods of convenience” were an option, nor the full amount of bounty that we enjoy today. In our day of “supersize foods”, it’s hard to image a soldiers “daily rations” which would have to sustain them throughout the long hot/cold physically challenging ordeals that lasted all day long. In my research, I was interested to learn quite a lot about "Our Daily Rations"!

Breakfast was served at 9 a.m. consisting of bread, milk, soup, tea and sometime butter. A special privilege was purchasing breakfast rations, such as cheese or pork, privately. The bread being part of the soldier’s diet was almost solely provided by flour from Canadian farmers and deemed wholesome and good. In Canada many regiments had the mess cooks prepare the bread, although the British Army had it made by contractors. Some regiments had their bakers make bread or biscuits, that was then sent to the men who were off fighting. (Similar to ordering and delivery of special goods, perhaps our first glimpse of “take-out”).

The main meal of the day was normally served around 12:30 p.m. At the beginning of the War of 1812, boiling meat was the common method of preparation. It had been estimated that ¾ of a pound of beef (bone included) would produce a pint of broth per person. With various cooks, the soup varied, sometimes including oatmeal and potatoes, flour or rice and veggies such as peas, beans, cabbage.

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#2)

by Judi McWilliams

Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic.

Encampments (Part Two)
To begin, the basic “rule of thumb” at the Encampment was that "seniority" set the Regiment arrangements. Positioning was from right to left. Artillery and dragoons were set up in separate areas, this to accommodate their horses and equipment. My sisters and my “arrangements at our camp” were that our parents got the largest tent with the best view! We children were squished in atiny tent! In the War of 1812, the Company sergeants had their tents at the extreme right. The Common tents housed one corporal and 4 privates (where I suppose they hoped for a good cook and bottle washer). Each mess was responsible for their own rations (see article “Our Daily Rations” to come), cooking of meals and clean-up. While the Common tent of 1812 only slept 3 or 4 men, this was no problem, because others assigned to the tent were either out "on duty" or in “sick bay”. The Company Common tents were set-up closely with only 2 feet between each and 6 paces between the lines.

Behind the Company Common Tents were the Company Officer tents. Captains had their own tents in the right flank. They were assisted by two soldiers, who would “cater” to their needs (although these soldiers got paid extra to do so). Lieutenants were on the left flank and only had one “waiter”. Behind the line of Company Officers, the Major, Quarter Master, Linemen Colonel and Colonel had their tents. It makes sense, then, that the final positions (kitchen, camp fire and ammunition) at camp were set in the rear, away from the main Company area. There are many other interesting facts and “rhymes and reasons” that regulated the encampments and their occupants. It makes our worries about whether or not "DVD players" will keep the kids occupied or “coolers” will keep our massive food bounty fresh, seem far from the important in relationship to the methods of survival in the War of 1812.

War of 1812 Discovery Series (#1)

by Judi McWilliams

Introduction
Over the past few years the Festival Nomad and I have had wonderful experiences visiting War of 1812 Re-enactments around Ontario. We find these re-enactments amazing and extremely interesting! In this NEW War of 1812 Discovery Series, I want to share with you some of our experiences, while attempting to shed some light into the actual historic. The historical information contained in this series was obtained by researching internet articles. I have tried to present this information as accurately as I can. If you see any inaccuracies, please notify me by e-mail (judi@ontariofestivalsvisited.ca). Doing just a small amount of research has helped me understand and appreciate the efforts put forth by Re-enactors in their portrayal of our amazing past! Re-enactors truly bring our past alive and make it much more accessible to all Ontarians.

Encampments (Part One)
Re-enactors are “troopers” in the true sense. The Festival Nomad and I have visited several re-enactments of the War of 1812 through rain, shine, freezing cold temperatures, and blistering hot days. And I thought that we were “troopers” just by braving these elements! That is, until I realized just how much effort goes into organizing, participating and managing of a re-enactment event. From the encampments, to the accurate historic outfits, to the intricately orchestrated battles, it all adds up to a tremendous amount of effort and preparation. At the re-enactments that we have visited over the years I have noticed that neither rain nor shine seemed to dampen their spirits. Starting with the encampments, I noticed that there was a definite “rhyme and reason” to the entire set-up. Now a-days, modern “campsites” are usually booked and reserved spots. They are chosen by whether or not users want running water, electricity, a view of the lake or woods, and rustic or elaborate theme activities! Back in 1812 the encampments where chosen by tried and true specific guidelines and regulations.

(To be continued)

War of 1812 Celebrations...

For some time Judi and I have been visiting historical re-enactments. The first re-enactment event that we visited was in 2007. We traveled to the Hamilton area to the Battle of Stoney Creek held at Battlefield House Museum and Park. This re-enactment depicted one of the important battles during the War or 1812. We had a great time and have become fans of historical re-enactments ever since! Some notable re-enactments we have attended include Wasaga Under Siege (Wasaga Beach), the Marine Heritage Festival (Port Dover), Rise to Rebellion (Georgina Pioneer Village) and War of 1812 Military Re-enactment (Upper Canada Village). Ever since our first encounter with re-enactments and re-enactors, I have been thinking about ways to further the War of 1812 memories and to honour the men and women who are now organizing the bicentennial celebrations. To do this we have added the War of 1812 Celebrations sub-domain to our popular Ontario Festivals Visited website. Ontario Festivals Visited currently attracts over 17,000 festival web visitors per month. It is our hope that a good number of these visitors will log onto the War of 1812 Celebrations home page. If they do they will find all kinds of exciting information! There are articles with photos about events that we have visited in the past and, as we visit future events, these will been added to our "Celebrations Events Visited" section. Festival and event news already plays an important roll with the Ontario Festivals Visited website through the Festival News section( 2,500 festival web visitors per month). our new "Celebrations Headline News" page gives website visitors War of 1812 news. Our "Celebrations Notes" offers readers weekly War of 1812 related articles - past, present and future! The "Celebrations Newsletter" will be published quarterly (more often if warranted) and will contain articles about upcoming events, celebration event organizers and celebration event participants. Finally the "Celebrations Event Calendar" lists upcoming events and each listing is linked back to the event's website. This is a free service offered to event organizers!

It is our hope that all "War of 1812 enthusiasts" will enjoy our new "War of 1812 Celebrations addition" and will participate in it by submitting ideas, photos and articles to us. Judi and I look forward to the War of 1812 (Celebrations) beginning!

NOTE: This article has been simultaneously posted on our three (3) Blog sites... War of 1812 Celebrations Notes, Gary's Blog and The Adventures of the Festival Nomad.

History First Hand

On July 1st of this year our 15 year old nephew became a soldier! No, he did not join the Canadian Armed Forces! He did, however, join his fellow students and their history teacher in a re-enactment demonstration at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival. Seeing him and the other young people becoming involved in re-enacting Canada’s past made me think of the thousands of men and women and their families who dawn period costumes each summer and fall weekend to become “living history”! As David Brunelle, one of the organizers of Wasaga under Siege, said to me, “It’s like taking your family on an ‘old fashioned’ camping trip!”, old canvas tents, open fires, boiled coffee, toasted marshmallows and spending quality time with people who have similar interests. Besides, who doesn’t want to play make believe, shoot muskets and wear neat clothing! All that being said, re-enactments and re-enactors play an important part in Canadian society. With the great number of new comers immigrating to our marvelous country, it gives them the opportunity to learn about Canada’s history and why it is such a great country to live in. Re-enactments also help show how Canada and the United States became separate countries and how we eventually learned to live in peace together. Even if you are not a history buff, re-enactments are exciting and entertaining! The pageantry, colour and action all add up to a wonderful experience! Whether or not our nephew and his friends become further involved in re-enacting, at least they will have had a chance to experience “first-hand” a part of Canada’s history! My hat is off to his history teacher and all of those other adults who encourage our young people to take an active interest in living Canada’s past!