The gates are opening at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake with the announcement of small private guided tours on Wednesdays and extended opening hours from Thursdays through Sundays for the remainder of the summer.

Tours of the fort will be limited to groups of no more than nine people and reservations should be made at least one week in advance. Guided tours will run at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $11.90 for adults, $10.20 for seniors and $3.90 for youth and can be reserved by calling 905-468-6614 or emailing pc.niagaraont.pc@canada.ca.

Until Sept. 6 visitors can experience the private tours and also take advantage of the new hours of operation. The site will be open for regular attendance from noon to 4 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. During that time the visitor centre, public washrooms and most heritage buildings will be open.

Regular admission fees will be collected at the visitor centre and guests are asked to pay with debit or credit, or to purchase a Discovery Pass online prior to arriving.

Outdoor musket demonstrations, fife and drum performances and featured special presentations will continue during the new extended hours. Visitors will be notified of the day’s schedule upon arrival, weather permitting.

Parks Canada is also reopening Brock’s Monument at Queenston Heights from noon to 4 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Thanksgiving. Costumed interpreters from the Friends of Fort George will be on-site to interact with visitors.

Guided tours of the monument will take place at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. each day and can be booked at friendsoffortgeorge.ca. Tours cost $3.50 per person and are free for children under five.

The new featured program called Brock Talks will also begin this week. Scott Finlay, a Parks Canada interpreter who portrayed Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock in the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, will speak about Brock’s life Saturdays and Sundays at noon.