Press Releases Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

Press Releases

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada August 17th, 18th & 19th/2012

Lt. Miller Worsley of the British Royal Navy was in a tight situation and he knew it. From his position at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River looking out onto Georgian Bay, he could see the sails of three warships approaching. They were not flying the British Union Jack, but the Stars and Stripes of the infant republic to the south. It was August 13th, 1814 and Great Britain had been at war with the United States for two years.

From the narrow strip of land on which Worsley lay, the Nottawasaga River curved behind him running almost parallel to the lakeshore for about four miles, a piece of waterfront, which to future generations would become a popular tourist destination.

But now it was war and Worley’s main concern was the schooner Nancy which sat anchored in the river behind him, her masts concealed by the trees. She was his to command along with 21 seamen of the Royal Navy, 23 Indians and 9 French Canadian Voyageurs. This was Nottawasaga Landing an important British supply post. It was guarded only by one crudely built blockhouse on the inland side of the river and was the only means of defence which stood between the Americans and the Nancy, if she was to be discovered.

The American ships Niagara, Tigress and Scorpion, under the command of Captain A. Sinclair had sailed to the mouth of the Nottawasaga River and dropped anchor. They believed the Nancy whom they were seeking, was still on route from Fort Michilimackinac. Perhaps the Nancy and her crew would escape the Americans after all……
(To Be Continued)

Mr. Chris Spraakman
Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebration 
Festival Correspondent

Report on the Canadian International Military Tattoo – 23 June 2012

Saturday June 23^rd saw the culmination of hundreds of hours of practice, rehearsal, and individual effort. The Canadian International Military Tattoo was an amazing evening of entertainment for the whole family.

The audience was treated to a wide variety of performances: from the Pioneers of Canterbury Marching Team and their lively, rhythmic sets to the Ontario Air Cadet Marching band and their energetic medleys of Beatles songs, many musical tastes and styles were performed.  

The overall show combined the perfect blend of exciting – get your heart pumping, uplifting music – along with thoughtful, slower music. Even Glenn Miller’s "Chattanooga Choo Choo” got the crowd going. 

The effort put forth by the performers is what made the night special. For example, the Pioneers of Canterbury Marching Team arrived in Hamilton from Christchurch, New Zealand especially to perform in this show – they were invited and made the trip to perform their well-choreographed show. This group only started practicing this performance in March 2012 and to compound their challenge they re-configured their group from 13 members and 3 minutes of performance to 26 members and 13 minutes of performance – a great feat in choreography and dedication to arrive in Canada and put on the show.

Irish Tenor, John McDermott was another rare treat – he sang several beautiful, thoughtful songs, one of which was ‘The Green Fields of France’.

The tattoo is organized by a registered Not-for-Profit charitable organization and is a 2-1/2 hour show with over 500 performers composed of military bands, pipes and drums, dancers, song, pageantry and special performing groups. There is no other show of this size west of Halifax, and it provides a means for the general public to connect with the military through currently serving military band members. No other community in Ontario mounts such a spectacle.

I enjoyed the show, after-all, it’s a rare treat when I get to experience such an amazing show which combines live music, story, song, and dance all weaved together into an experience that exceeded my expectations and which roused the whole family. For information on the next International Military Tattoo, see their website.

"We Have Today .... Reflections of our Past" ...

"We Have Today ... Reflections of our Part"
Article Blog written by Judi McWilliams
Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations

You may know that I have been on a quest for a few years to find out why “history” and “living history” is important and what kind of impact it has on our society today. Watching the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games helped crystallize, in my mind, the importance of the paths walked by so many courageous generations before us. I believe it is important to slow down and reflect on our past by considering where we came from, including the how's and why's. What stands out for me are the people “United”. People united in triumph and defeat; in wealth and poverty; in sickness and in health.

At the time when citizens did courageous acts to defend their land, country, communities, they may not have conscientiously known the impact they were having on future generations. Today, we can instantaneously see the results of our efforts. This through both today's world-wide "24-hour" media and through the Internet's "real-time" technologies.

What frightens me though is that our society is so instantaneous! We rush, rush, rush. Many decisions are made today without realizing the impact they will have on our future. I believe society needs to continue on the path of "united" generosity – in kindness, service and actions! I believe we all should reflect on our past – for without it, we would not be where we are today! ...

Speaking of "Reflecting on our Past" there are several great War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations taking place in August. Wasaga Under Siege, organized by David Brunelle, runs from August 17th to August 19th. We have visited this event twice and have had a great time. If you like re-enactments, this is definitely a worth traveling to Wasaga Beach. Taking place on the same weekend, August 18 - 19, is Lang Pioneer Village's War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration and 45th Anniversary Celebration. A great deal of planning, by the Lang staff, has gone into this special event. I know that it will be spectacular. Judi and I hope that we will see you there! On the following weekend The Attack on Gananoque takes place. This event is being organized by St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance and is one of their 2012 "signature" events. This re-enactment commemorates the 1st U.S. attack on the St. Lawrence River, Gananoque, which took place on September 21, 1812. This is another "Make Sure You Mark It on Your Calendar" event!

St. Lawrence 1812 Alliance - Gananoque & Flight of Royal George





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 continue with this interesting article from the recent events ….

Speakers outlined the importance of the War of 1812 in our lives and honoured Gananoque’s founding father, Colonel Joel Stone, a War of 1812 military leader.  Other new park attractions included cannons, a history wall, a diorama, and a beautiful natural stone amphitheatre leaving a true legacy to the 1000 Islands area for the years to come.

Next on the busy June list, was the re-dedication of the Brock Monument in the Town of Brockville by Sir Isaac Brock descendants led by Reverend Brock?  A group of family members primarily from Guernsey, England travelled to Brockville for a week filled with local activities and participation in a number of 1812 events including the 1000 Islands Wine & Food Festival. This was a first time visit to Canada for most of the group of 11 members and they were thrilled with not only their 1812 experience but with the hospitality of Brockville and the area.

Last but not least was our large signature bicentennial event, the Flight of the Royal George, held over 3 days in the historic Village of Bath and on the waters of the beautiful City of Kingston. This large scale re-enactment was both on land and water and included more than 600 re-enactors and heritage performers as well as 6 tall ships and 10 gunboats. The weekend also included the grand opening of the new 1812 Discovery Centre in Bath and a breathtaking naval battle on the waters of Lake Ontario. An estimated 35,000 visitors toured the area and truly celebrated our British and now Canadian roots!