The Moment!

by Kathy Fisher, Festival Nomad Correspondent

The weekend brought extreme temperatures, and for those of us in cotton dresses and petticoats, it wasn’t as hot as I am sure the regimental men in the red woolen tunics were feeling. We were all expected to “act” the part during the weekend especially during the open hours of Nancy Island to the public. This is one aspect I was not familiar with for at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site that I work at, we are more third person historical interpretation, versus this form of first person reenactment.
During the whole weekend, we witnessed the naval battles on the Notawassaga River, Wasaga Under Seige as the British and American reenactors held battle on the sandy dunes of Wasaga Beach, and regularly scheduled activities, of cannon demonstrations, musket drills, duels, and follower activities of candle making, and aboriginal drumming. With the extreme temperatures, the musket firing, the sights the sounds, we felt we had totally stepped back in time. The most memorable event – the “Seige” was the part of the weekend that brought the most interest and really made me and my “troop” from the north, really understand what it was like during the War. I think the combination of the smells and the haze of the smoke of the musket and cannon firing / black powder shooting, that also provided that “eerie” look and feel of the “moment”, so that I can truly say to others…..”come relive the moment!”
We left on Monday and headed back to Sault Ste. Marie feeling we had truly experienced, lived, and learned the War of 1812. We also knew the extent of what visitors touring the province in the next 3 years will experience. Now we just need to re-create that total experience so that we can provide to our visitors…..”the moment!”
I can’t wait……