The Friends of Fort George are inviting everyone to celebrate Canada Day on the grounds of its national historic site — with free admission for the whole day and a fireworks show to cap the day off.
Fort George is open on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Canada Day activities planned including day-long entertainment, food at Simcoe Park and the fort, cannon firing and fire and drum corps and fireworks in the evening.
Beside Canada Day events, visitors can tour the buildings, visit with costumed interpreters, try period treats prepared in the officers’ kitchen, enjoy a musket demonstration and more.
Festivities in Simcoe Park start at 11 a.m. with a Canada Day barbecue in Simcoe Park, hosted by the Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
There will be live music and children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., following which the annual cake parade will be led by the 41st Regiment fife and drum corps and will head down Queen Street into Simcoe Park, where slices of the cake will be distributed to the public, free of charge, made by chef Catherine O’Donnell at Willow Cakes and Pastries.
At Fort George, there will be cold drinks and treats available from 2 to 4 p.m. inside Fort George. The evening BBQ starts at 4 p.m., with Sweets and Swirls Café on site with both sweet and savoury treats.
Evening entertainment starts at 6:30 pm with the kiddie militia and drill, followed by a presentation by the Fort George Infantry, Artillery and Fife and Drum Corps.
Funds raised by the sale of food by the Friends of Fort George will help to support student summer employment opportunities at Fort George and Brock’s Monument.
On stage will be “The Howling Horns,” an eight-piece horn band featuring music from blues to dance to classic rock.
Closing off the evening at 10 p.m. will be a spectacular fireworks display by Garden City Fireworks.
The day’s events are all free for the public with generous donations and support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Parks Canada, local businesses and individual supporters.
For more information on the Canada Day Festivities in Niagara-on-the-Lake, visit the Friends of Fort George Canada Day event page: friendsoffortgeorge.ca/canada-day/index.html
