Americans Raid Gananoque!

A War of 1812 Signature Event • August 24-26, 2012 presented by the St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance - Celebrate 1812

Americans are threatening to cross the St. Lawrence River and invade the historic town of Gananoque.

At least that’s what we hope will happen......

The Raid on Gananoque, August 24-26, will re-enact the first of several American attacks along the St. Lawrence during the War of 1812.

While organisers anticipate a marauding group of rifleman under the leadership of Captain Benjamin Forsyth, regular American visitors will also be welcomed.

Canadians prepared to defend their country from invasion are strongly encouraged to attend. The 2^nd Leeds Militia will undoubtedly be recruiting.

The Raid on Gananoque will feature a Skirmish at Confederation Park, two Waterfront battle re-enactments, and a battle at the King Street Bridge. Re-enactments will be staged throughout the weekend, beginning on Friday, August 24 at 8 PM.

Other activities include English Country Dancing, children’s musters, as well as period drill and firing demonstrations.

Several performances will be held in bandstands at the Joel Stone Heritage and Town Parks, respectively, including a concert by local sensations The Abrams Brothers on Saturday, August 25 beginning at 7:15 PM.

First Nations Creations and Soraing Eagle Inc. will present A Taste of Pow Wow throughout the weekend as well.

Both American and British camps will be erected during the Raid on Gananoque weekend, leaving visitors from both banks of the St. Lawrence a side to support for the re-enactment.

Plan to attend now. Remember the Raid, Gananoque, Ontario, August 24 -26.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events, visit www.celebrate1812.ca

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

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience” 
Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada August 17th, 18th & 19th/2012
Wasaga under Siege – Entertainment
Wasaga under Siege Entertainment Presented by:

Zoom Daddy’s
The Zoom Daddy’s are proud descendants of army deserters from long ago. Armed with guitars, harmonicas, and rocks (for self defence against bears and critics) the Zoom Daddy’s combine wit, zaniness, comedy, humour, and even some funny stuff in their songs. They wander around aimlessly throughout the land in search of listening ears, preferably listening ears attached to people. The group features brothers Richard and David DeJonge. Richard and David met one morning at the breakfast table when they were quite young. After a heated argument about how many raisins are in 2 scoops, they quickly discovered that it would be more fun and less violent if they sang about the after effects of too much bran. Thus, their musical journey began.
For Over 15 years, these bizarre minstrels have played and sang all across Canada and almost half of the time - from outside prison walls. Tell them your name and you may get a special improvised song just for you! Show them your money and watch their hungry eyes bulge out. Expect the unexpected and be ready to run away if necessary but whatever you do, don't miss the Zoom Daddy’s.

Dr. Quimby (Medicine Man)
Meet Dr. Phineus P. Quimby, medical wizard. Marvel at his Medicine Show as he demonstrates his prestidigitation to awe and inspire. Sample his potent elixir - sweet enough to cure all ills or to pour over your pancakes! "Dr. Phineus Parkhurst Quimby, your most humble and obedient servant, is pleased to inform all and sundry who are attentive to this missive that his practice of "Miraculum Medicosity" with its attendant display of prestidigitation to inspire awe and wonder will be presented for three days at Nancy Island Historic Site. Phrenological readings and circumlocutory dispensations are a specialty! Don't miss this tongue twister of a performance, and perhaps purchase a particularly poignant product presented to preclude precarious living.

19th Century Military Surgeon
If you have concerns about our health care system today, you will appreciate it a lot more after a demonstration of 19th century medical care services. Witness and listen well as the surgeon explains and demonstrates the crude ways of dealing with amputations, infections and other ailments of the time. New patients are always welcomed!!

Native Drumming & Singing
The On-gwe-ho-way Native re-enactment group includes some amazing singers and sensational storytellers who know a variety of songs that are (and were) sung by a variety of the nations, and several of the legends that have been an important part of the culture for centuries, and hopefully will be for many more.

Sutler Cyrus and the Snake Oil Show
Sutler Cyrus brings you a dazzling selection of finest quality, well-researched historic games and toys, jewellery, and non-functioning reproduction arms. His world-famous Cartridge Candy can't be beat! The Snake Oil Show features feats of magic and healing potions which is pure entertainment for all ages.

Shaymus the Story Teller - Doug Robinson
Shaymus the storyteller is an amateur historian and life-long entertainer from Chatham, Ontario. Doug draws on the age-old minstrel/jester traditions by sharing his love of history through entertainment. For the past several years, Doug has been focusing on Canadian history, specifically the War of 1812 and U.E.L. Settlers.

Candle Making
Visitors will also have the opportunity to make their very own wax candle the old fashion way. You will experience the slow process it takes to make candles with a wooden stick and a piece of string. Patience is the name of the game as candle making was a very routine job!

Duelling Demonstrations
Nancy Island hosts hundreds of re-enactors, volunteering their time to make the Wasaga Under Siege event so special. The re-enactors live on Nancy Island all weekend, living in period canvas wedge tents, cooking in 1812 style. Usually a happy bunch, the close quarters can occasionally fray the nerves of even the friendliest officers. At times like that, the only honourable course of action is to point flintlock pistols at each other, duel to the death, and steal the loser’s boots. Duels are staged in the style and rules of the time, and well worth seeing!

Cannon and Musket Demonstrations
Nancy Island will be booming with the sound of cannon and musket fire as the infantry and artillery from the War of 1812 time period come alive for the public to hear and see. The muskets of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Royal Artillery cannon crews will be loading and firing their guns as well as educating the public with displays and hands on demonstrations.

For public information, media pictures and schedules for daily activities and musical entertainment contact the following:
Website – www.wasagaundersiege1812.com 
Nancy Island Historic Site – (705) 429-2728 www.wasagabeachpark.com
Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce – (705) 429-2247 www.wasagainfo.com
David J. Brunelle – Coordinator – wasagaundersiege1812@rogers.com

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

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

Looking for Volunteers - August 17th, 18th & 19th/2012 - Nancy Island Historic Site

We are also looking for community volunteers to help out with admissions, refreshment booth, shuttle service, parking and other positions. Anyone interested in helping out at the event will receive an event T-shirt, event souvenir, endless bottles of water and meals depending on the day and time you volunteer. Volunteers will also receive 2 free admissions for the weekend for friends and family.
 Contact: Marilyn Beecroft at: marilyn.beecroft@mnr.gov.on.ca or (705) 429-2728.

Pillaging and Plundering Americans Invade Wasaga Beach
During Wasaga under Siege 2012 the Town of Wasaga Beach will feel the wrath of the invading American forces. They will be marching into town pillaging and plundering local participating merchants and organizations between 12:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday, August 17th and Saturday, August 18th. British and ally troops will be on guard at participating merchants and organizations attempting to hold back the Americans from pillaging and plundering local food stuffs and other supplies vital to the war effort and local residents.

Nancy Island Grand Encampment Open to the Public
Friday, August 17th - 10:00am to 9:00pm Saturday, August 18th - 10:00am to 9:00pm Sunday, August 19th - 10:00am to 4:00pm The Grand Encampment at Nancy Island Historic Site features over 400 re-enactors opening their living history encampments to the public along with 19th century merchants, musket and cannon demonstrations, period artisans & demonstrators, roaming entertainers, all day and much more.

Gunboats on the River
Friday, August 17th - 7:45pm Saturday, August 18th - 2:45pm & 7:45pm Sunday, August 19th - 1:00pm American gunboats have been dispatched up the river to survey defences of the British. British gunboats and shore batteries await the Americans as the roar of cannons and muskets thunder across the water. Battles take place on the Nottawasaga River, between the Main St. Bridge and Nancy Island Historic Site

Skirmish in the Woods!
Friday, August 17th - 7:00pm - Fictional Battle American scouting and foraging parties have been sent ashore for firewood and reconnaissance in search of any signs of British forces and the Schooner Nancy hidden up the Nottawasaga River. British pickets have already alerted Lt. Worsley of the American presence and re-enforcements have been sent out to stop the American advance and hopefully discovering the Nancy.

The Americans have Landed!
Saturday, August 18th - 2:00pm - Fictional Battle The Americans unprepared for the previous evening battle have re-grouped and landed with force as they come closer and closer to detecting H.M.S. Nancy. Once again Lt. Worsley and his small force will try and hold off the Americans and avoid detection. Will they succeed?

Defending H.M.S. Nancy!
Saturday, August 18th - 7:00pm - Historical Battle Having successfully staled the American advance hours earlier and believing that the Nancy's hiding place is still safe, Lt. Worsley was unaware that the tall masts of his ship had been spotted by American troops during the day battle and a full scale American assault was being planned to capture his ship. Lt. Worsley did all he could to defend her from the American onslaught. Badly outnumbered the Nancy was destroyed in battle, though its defenders escaped upstream to fight another day.

Avenging the Nancy!
Sunday, August 19th - 2:00pm - Fictional The Americans having obtained their objective in destroying the Nancy, have left behind two small ships and crew to guard the mouth of the Nottawasaga River. Lt. Worsley having re-supplied rowboats with goods and ammunition from an upstream depot; must first clear the way for his rowboats to safely pass and re-supply besieged Fort Michilimackinac. Forcing the Americans to once again land and fight, Lt. Worsley will have the final taste of victory as British cold steel and Native support save the day! For public information, media pictures and schedules for daily activities and musical entertainment contact the following:
Nancy Island Historic Site – (705) 429-2728  
(705) 429-2728 www.wasagabeachpark.com Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce 
 (705) 429-2247 www.wasagainfo.com David J. Brunelle – Coordinator – wasagaundersiege1812@rogers.com

We would also like to thank all our other great supporters and partners who help make this event possible.
(To Be Continued)

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

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

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

Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” hosted by Nancy Island Historic Site and the Town of Wasaga Beach will feature authentic War of 1812 tactics, historical battles, marine assault landings, artillery, and much more. A professional public address announcer will narrate each battle event as a series of fictional and historical battle scenarios will be presented to the public over a three day period. The Grand Encampment at Nancy Island Historic Site will feature over 300 re-enactors opening their living history encampments to the public along with 19th century merchants, artisans, period cooking, musket and cannon demonstrations and period entertainment featuring, The Zoom Daddy's, Dr. Quimby’s Medicine Show, Laura Secord, Shaymus the Storyteller, Sutler Cyrus, War of 1812 Surgeon, Candle making and native drumming by On-gwe-ho-way.

"The sandy beach and the modern attractions that surround it have overshadowed Wasaga Beaches rich history for such a long time, that only a small percentage of visitors and residents actually know that a War of 1812 battle was fought here. Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” is an annual large scale re-enactment that will help bring to live this important historical event in Wasaga Beaches’ history. Battles and activities will no longer be restricted to the Historic Site of Nancy Island as all battle events will take place off the island in various beach park locations throughout Wasaga Beach. The battles taking place off Nancy Island will bring more awareness of our rich history to our visitors and residents as well as bringing more exposure and visitation to Nancy Island Historic Site itself.” - Town of Wasaga Beach

Visit www.wasagaundersiege1812.com for more event information.
(To Be Continued)