Military Re-enactment Weekend !!
Candy Pollard

Lands adjacent to Upper Canada Village along the St. Lawrence River will once again be the scene for the 195th anniversary of the historic Battle of Crysler’s Farm, as hundreds of re-enactors converge over the July 12 to 13 weekend to fight this spectacular military history re-enactment. The weekend will feature three exciting re-creations of the battle that marked the end of the most serious American attempt to conquer Canada during the War of 1812. Since 2000, the Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield have sponsored this annual Military Re-enactment Weekend, which has been called Eastern Ontario’s foremost living history event.

This year marks the 195th anniversary of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, fought on November 11, 1813 in a muddy farmer’s field (owned by the Crysler family) beside the St. Lawrence River in Morrisburg. Over 300 re-enactors portraying American and Anglo-Canadian armies, and His Majesty's Mohawk Allies, will converge, with many of the units taking part being re-creations of the actual regiments that originally fought on John Crysler's Farm. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet and mingle face-to-face with the re-enactors, as well as witness some real live military action with gunfire, military music, and period encampments.

The encampments will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. They will feature blacksmithing and rope-making demonstrations. Period merchants called “suttlers” will also be selling their wares, such as furs, books, woodworking, tinware, cooking utensils, and Aboriginal crafts. The Morrisburg Lions Club will host a barbecue food service nearby.

The highlight of the weekend will occur when “Canada is invaded” in three separate battles featuring period naval, infantry, and artillery. Battles take place on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., with Children’s Militia Musters at 12:30 p.m. each day. Saturday evening gates open at 7 p.m. when Upper Canada Village itself is invaded, as troops re-enact the battle on the fairground in the middle of the Village. Fireworks bring the evening to a close with a bang!

Daytime admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children 5 to 12. Evening admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children 5 to 12. Parking is free. Willard’s Hotel will be open for dinner on Saturday evening; reservations are recommended by calling 613-543-0660. Please note that visitors should plan to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion.

The St. Lawrence Parks Commission and CTV Ottawa are sponsoring this event. The Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield have again played a leadership role in organizing the re-enactment volunteers and seeing that the event is historically accurate. Upper Canada Village has overseen organizational details. For more information, call 1-800-437 2233 (613-543-4328 locally) or visit www.UpperCanadaVillage.com.

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