St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance - Spencerville Heritage Fair

Ms. Jan Bonhomme
Ontario Visited Correspondent
Representing as St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance Correspondent



For this edition of our War of 1812 Article, I welcome Ontario Visited Festival Correspondent Jan Bonhomme representing as the St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance Correspondent to submit this interesting article from the recent events ….

“The War of 1812 Bicentennial commemorations have been planned for the next 3 years but in the St. Lawrence River region of Ontario, celebrating our roots has already kicked off in a big way. During the month of June, not one but four major bicentennial       events were offered back to back to visitors and all offered a quality heritage experience in a totally different way! The St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance promotion of these events must have worked because thousands of visitors attended and reports call the events a smashing success.

June started out with the Spencerville Heritage Fair who offered a true heritage experience for all walks of life. Political re-enactments, a suttler’s alley, a regency ball, a real life historical wedding, heritage performers and military re-enactments turned this small town into a glance from the past. But the highlight of the day was having over 280 individuals dressed in regency costumes attempting to break the Guinness world record for the number of people dressed in period clothing. Both young and old, male and female came out in droves in heritage finery making the small town of Spencerville truly proud of its attempt and its commitment to celebrating the past.

Just a few weeks later, the kick off to the Declaration of War on June 18 was held with the unveiling of a new $600,000 waterfront heritage park in Gananoque. The Joel Stone 1812 Heritage Park was built with partnerships from the local Lions, Rotary and Kinsmen Clubs along with the local accommodators, the St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance and the Town.  More than 1500 people were in attendance including over 500 school children dressed in red, white and blue who sang God Save the Queen as the new 80 foot Canada Flag pole was unveiled”…..

(To Be Continued)