26th Annual Siege of Old Fort Erie

News Release

 

Niagara Falls, ON – Staff at The Niagara Parks Commission’s (NPC) Old Fort Erie are preparing the final details for the 26^th Annual Siege Weekend at Old Fort Erie on August 11 -12, 2012.

Canada’s largest battle re-enactment weekend portrays the excitement and drama of the War of 1812 with an action packed schedule of events planned for the entire weekend.

Event highlights include battle re-enactments on Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m., where hundreds of re-enactors will participate in Drummond’s Night Assault on the Fort. Follow the action up-close and then experience a dramatic Lantern Tour of the Fort under attack at 9 p.m.

A memorial service honouring all of those who fell in battle will be held on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. and the last battle re-enactment of the weekend, the American Sortie will be held on Sunday at 1 p.m. Please visit www.niagaraparksheritage.com for a full schedule of events.

Hours:            Saturday, August 11 Fort Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Battles: 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Lantern Tour: 9 p.m.

Sunday, August 12 Fort Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Memorial Service 10:30 a.m.; Battle 1 p.m.

Admission:    Entrance includes Day Programs or Evening Lantern tour. Adult: $12.25 (13+), Children (6-12): $7.95 plus tax, Children under 5 free. There is no cost to view the re-enactments and walk amongst the camps.

Located at 350 Lakeshore Road in Fort Erie, Ontario, Old Fort Erie is approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles), or a scenic 20-minute drive south of Niagara Falls and is close to the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, New York. The new Visitor Centre, grounds and the main floor rooms of the Fort are wheelchair accessible.

Old Fort Erie is owned and operated by The Niagara Parks Commission. NPC is committed to a vision of Ontario's Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

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26^th Annual Siege of Old Fort Erie

Schedule of Events

Hourly tours of the Old Fort Erie start at the Welcome Centre, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. At 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., heritage guides will escort tours to the battle site.

Saturday, August 11

10:00 a.m.       Fort and Camps open to the public

11:00 a.m.       South Field – Major Buck’s Surrender & ‘Stars & Stripes’ run up

12:00 p.m.       Inside Fort – Uniforms of the War of 1812

1:00 p.m.         South Field – British Artillery Demonstration

2:00 p.m.         South Field – BATTLE

3:00 p.m.         Camp Displays

4:00 p.m.         Inside Fort – U.S. Artillery Demonstration

6:00 p.m.         Fort and Camps will be closed to the public

Saturday Evening

8:00 p.m.         South Field – BATTLE- Drummond’s night assault on the Fort

9:00 p.m.         In the Fort – Lantern tours* – ‘After the Battle’ see the effects of the Failed British Attack.

*Separate tickets are required and are available at the Gift Shop - regular admission applies. Tours start at the front gate of the Fort.

Sunday, August 12

10:00 a.m.       Fort and Camps open to the public

10:30 a.m.       Memorial Service in the South Field

1:00 p.m.         South Field – BATTLE: ‘U.S. Sortie’

2:00 p.m.         In the Fort – American Evacuation of the Fort & ‘Union Jack’ run up

4:00 p.m.         Camp closed to the public

5:00 p.m.         Fort Closed

This schedule is subject to change without notice