War of 1812 Encampment
All War
of 1812 re-enactors are invited to participant at the Fort Erie Friendship
Festival for the First Annual War of 1812 encampment.
In
order to start this off, this will be a paid event. Participants must register in advance. Each participating adult (except sutlers) will be paid a bounty
of $50.00 Canadian. Interested sutlers must
contact John Sek as detailed below.
The
encampment will be open on Friday, July 3 and will breakdown on Sunday, July 5,
2009.
For the
past 5 years we have held a cannon demonstration and mock battle with the Old
Fort Staff at the festival, however this year will be our first onsite encampment.
Everyone is invited to participate and help us make this a successful event.
Features:
·
Shaded
encampment area about 300m of the main festival event along the Niagara Parkway
beside the Niagara River overlooking Buffalo, N.Y.
·
Water
and wood.
·
Portable
toilet facilities
·
Camp
security
Our
goal is to have 50 men on the field with supporting camp followers where
various activities will be planned accordingly.
What we
would like to see happen:
Demonstrations:
·
Musket
drill and firing
·
Cannon
drill and firing
·
Infantry
drill
·
Camp
life
·
Blacksmith
demonstration (confirmed)
·
Battles
and skirmishes. (Old Fort Erie will send their garrison to engage us – perhaps we’ll
reciprocate).
·
Fourth
of July Night time salute.
The
Friendship Festival is now celebrating their 23rd annual event. Their main event is a free outdoor music
festival. Check out their website, http://www.friendshipfestival.com/index.html
for scheduled events.
Please
note this is not being held at the Fort. The encampment is exactly 1km north along the river from the
Fort. Take last exit from QEW before
USA to Central Avenue and turn right.
Follow to end of road and turn right.
Encampment is approximately 100m away on the left. See attached pdf
file.
Contact
info:
John Sek
(905) 871-7449 home
(289) 213-0873 cell
A registration page will be set up by June 9. Please register your intention to
participate by e-mail stating unit name, number attending and equipment (type
and number of muskets, cannon, and tents) bringing to the event. Please advise if able to provide or suggest
a demonstration activity.
For those not able to join us this year, we love to hear from you
about joining in next year.