Wasaga under Siege "A War of 1812 Experience
http://www.wasagaundersiege1812.com/Building on the huge success of past Wasaga under Siege events, the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada in partnership with the Town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario Parks and Nancy Island Historic Site look forward to hosting you once again from July 23rd to the 25th/2010. Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” will once again come to life as over 400 re-enactors will take part echoing history once again through the streets and waters of Wasaga Beach and Nancy Island Historic Site.
We have put together a great weekend for re-enactors and spectators alike! Re-enactors will enjoy a safe Grand Encampment area on Historic Nancy Island, water, food, entertainment, drinks, souvenir and 4 battles on 3 different battlefields including river battles will take place. Battles will be fought all over the town of Wasaga Beach with parading, pillaging, cannons, muskets, longboats and voyageur canoes. We will be using all our talents and proven Wasaga under Siege 1812 hospitality to make sure all re-enactors & participants feel welcomed and satisfied that it was worth the trip.
Wasaga Beach, Ontario as many of you already know host the longest fresh water beach in the world and attracts thousands of tourist each day to its beaches and attractions. Re-enactors and their families will have the opportunity to enjoy the historical components of the event as well as the beach and modern attractions such as shopping, restaurants, waterslides, midway, paintball and other attractions to numerous to mention.
Merchants, blanket traders and artisans are welcomed free of charge and the musical line-up for weekend features Tamarack, Backroads, Caber Toss and the Zoom Daddys.
The Grand Encampment will also feature a Friday and Saturday evening self guided tour with snacks and drinks on sale as well. The self guided tour will feature musket and cannon demonstrations, Dr. Quimby’s Medicine Show, Shaymus the Storyteller, Laura Secord, Sutler Cyrus and the Snake Oil Show, War of 1812 Surgeon, On-gwe-ho-way drumming and singing, period music, merchants, sentries and much more!! We will be looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of this self-guided tour, if interested please contact me anytime or sign up at the registration tent. We will also be looking for sentries to guard the bridge during regular historic site hours to add some colour and interact with the public.
All re-enactors who portray any aspect of the War of 1812 are welcomed to participate. They can include – British and American Regulars or Militia including Civil War re-enactors portraying American Militia, Navy Personnel, Cannon Crews, Natives, Voyageurs and Men, Women & Children civilians. Re-enactors who wish to bring cannons, bateaus and canoes can negotiate with me for travel, haulage or powder compensation.
Sunday morning will also feature the Redcoat Iron-man and Iron-women contest that has proven to be a popular event not only to participate in, but to watch as well, with prizes going out to the winners.
If you are registering on-line please register individually or as an immediate family unit. No group registrations will be accepted unless pre-approved. This gives us a more accurate number for logistics, food and actual people attending and camping on the island.
Look forward to seeing everyone in July.
David Brunelle
Co-ordinator
WUS 2010
The Peak 95.1 FM & The Beach 97.7 FM
The Peak FM and The Beach FM have also come on board as radio sponsors and will be providing great pre-promotion of the event in the form of radio commercials, talk show appearances, free give-ways and live on-site broadcasting during the event. We encourage all participates to tune into the Peak or the Beach FM when you are coming into the Wasaga Beach area. For more information please visit: www.thepeakfm.com www.977thebeach.ca
Service Clubs Support Local Heritage & Community WellnessWasaga under Siege would like to recognize the generous ongoing support of two community service clubs who have been contributing to the success of Wasaga under Siege since its debut back in 2003. The Lioness Club, Lions Club and the Kinnette Club of Wasaga Beach have been great community supporters who recognize the importance of educating and promoting Wasaga Beach’s rich heritage. Their ongoing support over the past 8 years has contributed directly to the quality and success of Wasaga under Siege and community wellness throughout the town.
Voyayeur Canoes & Longboat Flotilla – Nottawasaga River
Wasaga under Siege 2010 is excited to announce that a re-enactment of a convoy of voyageur canoes and longboats will be re-enacting a trek of the Nottawasaga River from Schooner Town Park to Nancy Island Historic Site. Local residents and spectators alike will have a great opportunity to watch as hearty re-enactors experience the environment and hardships that original native, voyageurs, sailors and soldiers experienced firsthand as they paddled and rowed down this historic waterway. Wasaga Beach residents, especially those who reside along the river and other public spectators who show their loyalty to King George III by cheering on our hearty crews, flying the British colours or showing their loyalty in other forms will receive a token of the King's appreciation in the form of a musket or cannon salute. The flotilla will leave Schooner Town Park on Friday, July 23rd at 2:00pm and make their way down river to Nancy Island Historic Site arriving at the island no later than 4:00pm.
Pillaging and Plundering Americans Invade Wasaga Beach
During Wasaga under Siege 2010 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 Friday, July 23rd to 9:00pm Saturday, July 24th. 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. Participating merchants and organizations include: Giant Tiger, Major’s Guardian Pharmacy and Grandma’s Beach Treats.
Book Release & Signing The Lake Captain; 1812 - Ron Burgess
The Lake Captain; 1812 deals with a small and forgotten chapter of Canadian history during the War of 1812 which took place on Lakes Erie and Huron. Captain Alexander Mackintosh and his uncle Angus Mackintosh were involved in the fur trade with the North West Company. Angus eventually became the twenty-fifth Chief of Clan Mackintosh in Inverness, Scotland. In the spring of 1812, Captain Alexander Mackintosh brought his ship, the six gun, eighty foot, fur trader Nancy to its home port of Sandwich. The Nancy was pressed into service with the British in an armed struggle with the newly formed United States, for the fur rich heartland of North America. In addition to serving with some of the best officers of the British Army and Royal Navy, Mackintosh found that he had to endure a few of the worst. After American victories over the Royal Navy on Lake Erie and the British army at Moraviantown, Mackintosh found himself in command of the ‘last British ship’ on the Upper Great Lakes facing a formidable American fleet. Ron Burgess will be present during Wasaga under Siege 2010 to answer questions and sign copies of his book. For more information contact: Ron Burgess at: sailing1@shaw.ca
Invitation to Tea
Wasaga under Siege 2010 invites the ladies & gentlemen of the Nancy Island Historic Site Grand Encampment to take tea on Saturday, July 24th at 3:15 pm in the hospitality tent hosted by
the ladies of the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada. Please bring your own tea cup, plate, spoon and chair.
To satisfy the appetites of our guests, we shall be serving treats from the Georgian
Period, baked by the finest camp followers of the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada. The afternoon will also include a presentations and discussions on various topics.
If you would be attending, please send your compliments to Darlene Kingstone at ilikebatman@gmail.com at your convenience. Children accompanied by an adult are also welcome to attend as well.
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the
ceremony known as afternoon tea."
(Henry James)
New Battlefield Location
We have scouted the lands around Wasaga Beach and have decided to try out a new battlefield for the Friday evening battle. The battle will still be located in Beach Area two; however it will be taking place in another location. This will hopefully provide some variety in battle tactics as over the past years we have been limited to the same locations.
Wasaga Paintball Mega Adventure Park
As many of you are already aware, Wasaga Beach offers a huge variety of attractions, activities, entertainment and restaurants on top of the longest freshwater beach in the world. For those participants who plan on arriving as early as Wednesday and take advantage of these attractions, Wasaga Beach Paintball Adventure Park has put together a great deal for you. All participants who would like to attend Wasaga Paintball during the event will receive free passes which include:
One Full Day Field Admission
Semi-auto Paint Gun
50 Paintballs
Unlimited Co2
Pull Over Jacket
Protective Head Gear
For those who are interested, the committee is organizing a paintball war amongst the re-eanctors and participants who would like to take part Thursday. Team organized play will go from 1:00am till 4:00pm and for those who would like to stay afterwards you are certainly free to do so. Please contact David Brunelle via e-mail or at the event to sign up for the organized paintball activities on Thursday and to reserve a free pass. For more information visit: www.wasagapaintball.com
Hospitality Tent – Re-enactors, Participants & Sponsors
Sleeman’s Breweries has come back on board and Colio Wines joined the battle as official hospitality tent sponsors and will have Ale, Lager and Dark on tap as well as various wines to sample. Do I have to say anything more! See you all there!
Registered Units Attending to Date:
Representatives of the following units that have already registered include:
2nd Lincoln Artillery
Kentucky Militia
5th Lincoln Militia
U.S. Militia
British Indian Department
Canadian Militia
25th US Infantry Donaldsonville Artillery
Norfolk Militia
Glengarry Light Infantry
On-gwe-ho-way
HMS Charwell
Royal George Landing Party
HMS Ferret
Royal Newfoundland Regiment
Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada
Royal Artillery
Registered Merchants and Artisans to Date include:
Arnold Knives and Forge
Flintnapper – Jebidiah Grizzly Esq.
Glen Farms Past Times
Lucy Locket Children’s Clothes
Voices of the Past
Iron Monger & Homesteading Goods
Celtic Rose Perfumery
Sutler Cyrus
The Frontier Popcorn Company
Timbers Sutlery
Joseph the Chandler
It’s Thyme Shoppe
Celtic Rose Perfumery
Blacksmith- Les Stanley
Big Thanks to all our 2010 Community Partners:
Town of Wasaga Beach Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Friends of Nancy Island Service Ontario – Midland
Colio Wines Pepsi
95.1 The Peak FM 97.7 The Beach FM
Enrique Photo Art Saga Resort Mini Condo Motel & Cottages
E.L.M. Catering Georgian Bay Sanitation
Giant Tiger Major’s Guardian Pharmacy
John Mc Tavish Plumbing Kinnette Club of Wasaga Beach
Grandma’s Beach Treats Lioness Club of Wasaga Beach
Wasaga Beach Lions Club Wasaga Beach Paintball Adventure Park
L & N Graphics Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Sturgeon Falls Marina Ltd. DOS Technologies
