FINALLY entering the 21st century . . .
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We are not sure exactly what happened to the Spring that was so promising at the beginning of May this year -- first, we went back into the freezer, then we blossomed into full summer, with no more than a day in between! No matter -- the important thing (for us, anyway!) is that travelling season is once again upon us, and we're back out on the road in full force. Sun on our faces, wind in our hair . . . and muscles freshly sore from hoisting the marquee . . . this is the life we love!
We can't wait to travel back to 1813 for an event that we hold close to our hearts, the Battle of Stoney Creek, which will be held on June 5th and 6th at Battlefield House Museum and Park in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Now in its 28th year, this event is one of the largest of its kind in North America, and offers something for everyone, from battles and camp life through entertainments and presentations as diverse as dancing by the Fort York Regency Dancers and a recreation of a period British Army payday marshalled by Sergeant Major Peter Monahan. Our best suggestion: bring the family and come down Saturday afternoon -- visit the British, American, and Militia camps and see some of the demonstrations there -- take in some of the entertainers and presentations going on throughout the site -- listen for the Crown Forces Fifes and Drums -- do a little period shopping in the extensive historic merchants' area (stop in and say hi to us while you're there!) -- have dinner from one of the food kiosks run by our local service groups -- finish off with a cookie or a butter tart from Four and Twenty Blackbirds Bakery -- and stay for the truly spectacular battle at dusk, which will be followed by an awesome fireworks display! It's a great way to send a Saturday in June.
Hard on the heels of Stoney Creek comes the Marine Heritage Festival in Port Dover, Ontario, on June 19th and 20th. This is a relatively new event, but it's grown by leaps and bounds over the last four years, and this year, it's been designated a Crown Forces event. This means that there will be a maximum turnout from re-enactors who portray British soldiers -- the "Redcoats" -- which is usually reciprocated by our American friends, resulting in a large and enthusastic force on each side of the battlefield. Adding to the excitement will be a goodly contingent of naval re-enactors and their boats, including the tall ship St. Lawrence, all of whom will take part in the exciting Saturday evening battle right on the town beach. The festive atmosphere will be enhanced by entertainments ranging from storyteller Pauline Grondin to music by Freshwater Trade, as well as camp life demonstrations and, of course, a bevy of fine historic merchants to cater to your every whim! Park at Silver Lake Park and visit the camps, merchants, and entertainments, then hop the shuttle bus for the museum, the marina, and the other activities taking place throughout town. This is one of those events that truly has something for everyone and fun for the whole family!
The following weekend, June 26th and 27th, will find us at Genesee Country Museum and Village in Mumford, NY, for their War of 1812/Regency Civilian Weekend. This event will be a little different than most that we do, in that it will provide a portrayal of Georgian life outside of the theatre of war. We're really looking forward to visiting this beautiful site with its amazing restored buildings once more, and to trying our hands at peacetime activities for a change! For those of you who didn't make it to the Yesteryear's Essentials: Material Culture for War of 1812 Re-Enacting conference at Fort Meigs in April, this will be your chance to see a period fashion show by Betsy Bashore -- an occasion not to be missed! Plan to spend a full day exploring the gorgeous buildings populated by dedicated interpreters, re-enactors, and living historians and taking in everything that the event has to offer!
Then comes a brand new adventure for us: the weekend of July 10th and 11th at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY, promises to be a wonderful experience for any devotee of the Regency period, as one of the largest Jane Austen Festivals in the world weaves its magic on this beautiful site. Chock-a-block full of lectures, demonstrations, presentations, entertainments, a ball -- and, of course, shopping! -- this is going to be a weekend like no other. We're contributing a presentation on Regency jewellery and accessories (limited attendance -- register early!) and another on period turbans and how to create them (this one's in the Big Top, and if you sit in the front row, you might get to model one of our turbans!). Betsy Bashore is doing another wonderful fashion show! We can't wait. The whole thing is being hosted by the Greater Louisville chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America: www.jasnalouisville.com.
Then we're off to another event that we're very excited about: the War of 1812 Grand Tactical at Sackets Harbor Battlefield in Sackets Harbor, NY on July 31 - August 1st. Each year, re-enactors of the War of 1812 vote to make one event the Grand Tactical -- in other words, the largest and best-attended event for that season. You can expect a great show here, complete with full naval engagements, landings, and otherwise. The site staff, the Sackets Harbor Battlefield Alliance, and the people of the town of Sackets Harbor itself have gone all out to make sure that this is a wonderful event for all, participants and visitors alike -- and we're sure that there will be a celebratory mood in evidence, as the site has recently received a reprieve from its threatened closure by the NY State government! Visit the Battlefield Alliance's website at www.sacketsharborbattlefield.org for more details.
We then invite you to join us in Fort Erie, ON, for one of the 1812 re-enactors' favourite events of the year, the Siege of Fort Erie! It's a wonderful weekend, during which we see the Fort come alive with re-enactors portraying people of the past from all walks of life. There are extensive military and militia camps, one of the largest collection of historic merchants and sutlers in Canada, and of course, the handsome Fort itself. The battles are not to be missed -- our favourite is, of course, the Saturday evening battle, which culminates in an enormous explosion inside the Fort. An absolute must-do is the lantern tour following the battle -- it gets our rave review! Kudos to the staff, volunteers, and re-enactors who help put that all together every year.
Summer rounds out for us with a trip back to Ohio for The Fair at New Boston on Labour Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday only). Possibly the best period shopping to be had anywhere, this event is a juried recreation of a market fair from the time period of 1790-1810. Each merchant and artisan is carefully selected by the committee, so you may shop with confidence that you are seeing only the finest possible quality of wares and presentations. Spending the day at the Fair is excellent entertainment -- from the wonderfully foppish and ascerbic French lacemaker to the shenanigans that go on at any of the three taverns on the site -- from the deep discussions undertaken at the coffee house to the amazing period entertainments provided by Otto the Sword Swallower, Signora Bella the slack rope walker, Common Stock period music, and the like -- this is truly an event not to be missed! Can you tell it's one of our favourites? We hope to see you there!
Oh, it feels good to be back on the road once again! There is nothing like that sense of anticipation that you feel when you strongly suspect that a new adventure is waiting for you just around the corner. There are so many places to explore, so many people to meet, and so many old friends and acquaintances to get caught up with -- we can't think of a better way to do it than to load up the gear and go set up shop someplace. We truly hope that our path will cross with yours along the way, and that we'll have a chance to visit a bit when that happens. Until then, travel safely, be well, and don't forget to take the time to enjoy all that this wonderful season has to offer!
