FREDERICTON, N.B. – Re-enactments of the historic march of the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot from Fredericton to Kingston, Ont., in 1813, along with community events, will take place this winter to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
The first community event will take place in Saint John on Feb. 9 at the New Brunswick Museum.
The provincial commemoration will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16 in Officers' Square in downtown Fredericton, which is the actual date and location from where the march began in 1813. Activities will include a snowshoeing demonstration with Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas, a historic musket demonstration by Parks Canada, demonstrations by the Canadian Forces, a public skating party hosted by the City of Fredericton, and a performance of the Calithumpians' new show Marching into History: The Road to Canada Road Show.
“The qualities that today's New Brunswickers share, including resilience, determination and pride of place, have their roots in historical events like the march of 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Trevor Holder. “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to celebrate a crucial part of our history by attending events in their community.”
Other community re-enactment events will take place over the following three weekends and will be held in communities along the route of the march 200 years ago. These events include:
● Woodstock on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Carleton Civic Centre;
● Florenceville-Bristol on Sunday, Feb. 24, at Riverside Park;
● Perth-Andover on Saturday, March 2, behind Southern Victoria High School;
● Grand Falls on Sunday, March 3, downtown on Broadway Boulevard;
● Edmundston on Saturday, March 9, at the Pavillion l'Estacade; and
● Cabano, QC on Sunday, March 10, at Fort Ingall Historic Site.
A full calendar of events and more information is available online from the St. John River Society and from the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture.
“With the bicentennial of the War of 1812, we have a chance to engage this generation of Canadians in our shared heritage,” said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield. “This is why the Government of Canada has a firm commitment to commemorating the War of 1812 and to highlighting New Brunswick's contributions to the war. I would like to thank the Province of New Brunswick and the St. John River Society for their work to pay tribute to these heroes who sacrificed for what would become Canada.”
“The St. John River Society is very excited to be delivering these community re-enactment events that commemorate the War of 1812 in New Brunswick,” said Wanda Hughes, president of the St. John River Society. “We are committed to providing opportunities to increase New Brunswickers' awareness about this story and provide opportunities for them to commemorate this significant New Brunswick and Canadian story. We are thankful to our partners and we look forward to seeing many people at the community re-enactment events. We know it will be cold, but come brave the elements, it is the Canadian Way!”
LINK:
● War of 1812 promotional page, Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
