Battle of York Commemoration

APRIL

Parler Fort: The Battle of York: Myth, Reality, and the Explosion of the Grand Magazine

Sun. April 14, 7:30 pm

Join celebrated British author, historian, and archaeologist Andy Robertshaw, a featured expert in the film Explosion 1812. Robertshaw is best known for his television work with the BBC in Two Men in a Trench and The Trench as well as the popular shows Time Team and Battlefield Detectives.

Admission $10 + tax.

Community Cleanup Day

Sat. April 20, 10 am to 12 noon

Help us with spring cleaning of the Garrison Common on Mayor Rob Ford’s Community Cleanup Day. All equipment will be provided. Meet at the west Fort York gates.

Contact David Juliusson @ 416-392-6907 ext. 233

A Free Family Pass to the site will be offered to all volunteers.

Toronto District School Board History Fair

Tues. April 23, 10 am to 2:30 pm

View history project displays from the West District of the TDSB.

Included with regular admission.

Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at the Fort

Fri. April 26, 11 am to 12 noon

Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, in partnership with Fort York’s volunteer Citizenship Committee and Fort York National Historic Site, will host candidates for citizenship. Prior to the ceremony, community roundtable discussions will be convened to strengthen the connection between new Canadians and their communities, and to remind all in attendance of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. The event includes guest speakers, music, and a reception.

Free admission until 12:30 pm.

Battle of York Commemoration

Saturday, April 27

2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of York. Join Fort York for an unforgettable day of commemorative activities to honour those who fought.

Visit www.toronto.ca/1812/events.htm for the full program and details on access.

SUNRISE CEREMONY: 6 to 7:30 am, near Palais Royale, western waterfront at the Jameson Avenue pedestrian bridge. On the shoreline where the Americans landed four First Nations, led by the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, will hold a solemn ceremony.

WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS: 10 am to 12:30 pm, near Palais Royale, western waterfront at the Jameson Avenue pedestrian bridge. Starting where the disembarked Americans began their advance, the general public and First Nations will be led by historical interpreters and celebrities along the route with stops at significant points, arriving at Fort York by 12:30 pm.

PRESENTATION OF COLOUR: 10 to 11 am, in front of Legislative Assembly, Queen’s Park. Following a series of dynamic military displays the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, will be presented with a new Regimental Colour by HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

PARADE: 11:30 am to 1 pm, begins at Queen’s Park. Members of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army with thirteen bands will march through the streets of Toronto from Queen’s Park to Fort York National Historic Site. The parade will end at Fleet and Fort York Boulevard when a hundred-person guard will continue into the fort.

COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES: 1:30 to 4 pm. An hour-long ceremony of remembrance will take place at 1:30 at Fort York National Historic Site in the presence of re-enactment units representing those who fought during the Battle of York, representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army, and four First Nations. A commemorative ceremony from 3 to 4 pm will focus on the dedication of a new memorial plaque to honour the contribution of First Nations during the Battle of York. The dedication will be followed by singing, dancing, and drumming performed by descendants of those who fought in the battle. The rededication of restored plaques presented in 1934 will take place in the presence of the original organizations—the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 and the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire.

Free admission to Fort York all day on April 27.

MAY

Fort York Historic District Walking Tours in association with Jane Lowe’s Walks: Fort York and 200 Years of Development

Sat. May 4, 1 to 2:30 pm

Explore the history and evolution of Fort York, the Garrison Common, and the nearby Lake Ontario shoreline from the early British colonial era to the present day.

Free admission to Fort York following tour.

Victoria Day

Mon. May 20, 10 am to 5 pm

What better way to celebrate Victoria Day than to visit the birthplace of Toronto? Enjoy tours, kids’ activities, and demonstrations of Georgian-era cooking in one of the oldest kitchens in Toronto.

Regular admission.

Doors Open

Sat. and Sun. May 25 and 26, 10 am to 5 pm

Fort York will open its doors for this annual celebration of history and architecture. Enjoy special tours of some of Toronto’s oldest architecture and original War of 1812 buildings to tour! No-surprise! Scouts know for innovation in Toronto. This year’s theme ‘Creators, Makers and Innovators’ will bring some tasty surprises. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for details closer to the date.

Free admission all weekend.

JUNE

Fort York Historic District Walking Tour in association with Heritage Toronto: War, Invasion & Occupation!: Fort York & Toronto in the War of 1812

Sun. June 2, 1 to 2 pm

Some of the most dramatic events in Toronto’s history occurred during the War of 1812. This special walking tour examines major events of this tumultuous era.

Tour is free and includes admission to Fort York following tour.

The Garrison at York Comes to Life! The Fort York War of 1812 Festival Weekend

Sat. June 15, 10 am to 9 pm

Sun. June 16, 10 am to 5 pm

Tour authentic War of 1812 encampments; discover period food, music, and entertainment; shop Sutler’s Row for historic and period-inspired merchandise, plus much more. Tactical demonstrations by some of the best units in Canada feature an evening battle re-enactment at dusk on historic Garrison Common on Saturday, June 15. Check www.toronto.ca/1812/events for more details closer to the date.

Free admission.

Aboriginal Festival at Fort York National Historic Site

Thurs. to Sat. June 20 to 22

This three-day festival opens Thursday evening, June 20, with the book launch of Mississauga Portraits by renowned historian Don Smith of the University of Calgary. Sunset brings the world premiere of Kahá: wi Dance Theatre’s 1812 Bicentennial commission Remember to Honour, directed by award-winning choreographer Santee Smith. June 21 and 22 will repeat sunset performances of Remember to Honour plus performances of new commissions by the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Métis Fiddler Quartet, Eddie Robinson’s traditional music and dance ensemble Morningstar River, and special educational programs by the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation to mark the Strawberry Festival.

Free admission to all Aboriginal Festival events.