Aerial Image – Old Fort Erie

The muskets are primed and the cannons are loaded for the 27th Annual Siege Weekend at Old Fort Erie. August 10 and 11, witness a cannon-blast-from-the-past as Canada’s largest battle re-enactment weekend displays the excitement and drama of the War of 1812.

This year marks the 199th anniversary of the desperate fight for the fort and the 27th time the reenacting community will bring the events of 1814 back to life.

If you don’t like:   loud noises, the roll of the drums, the smell of gun powder smoke, food cooking over an open fire, the crackle of musketry or a whiff of pipe smoke coming from a lone sentry on picket duty – this event is not for you.  If you like your story telling for your kids and grandkids to be colourful, dramatic, even poignant and memorable – this is the event to attend.

Since the reenactors volunteer their time and considerable resources, the camps and battles are free for the weekend.  However, the candle lit tour on Saturday night will put you in the action and regular admission to the Fort applies.

 There are guided tours and demonstrations throughout the fort and the siege lines all weekend long.   The serious action gets underway on Saturday morning at 11:00am when the U.S. Army takes over Fort Erie.  At 2:00pm there is a battle on the south side of the Fort marking the battles of Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane.   Of course at 8:00pm, the big battle of the weekend will be underway and the candle lit tours of the fort start just after 9:00pm from the new visitor centre, showing the effects of Drummond’s assault.   Sunday will include the annual commemorative service at 10:30am and the weekend ends with a recreation of the battle known as the Sortie at 1:00pm.

Call us at 905-980-0346 for more information.