Overview
Thursday, July 24th/08 - Public & Entertainment Agenda
Friday, July 25th/08 - Public & Entertainment Agenda
Saturday, July 26th/08 - Public & Entertainment Agenda
Sunday, July 27th/08 - Public & Entertainment Agenda

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”

Nancy Island Historic Site, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada

July 25th, 26th, 27th/2008

Lt. Miller Worsley of the British Royal Navy was in a tight situation and he knew it.  From his position at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River looking out onto Georgian Bay, he could see the sails of three warships approaching. They were not flying the British Union Jack, but the Stars and Stripes of the infant republic to the south.  It was August 13^th, 1814 and Great Britain had been at war with the United States for two years.

            From the narrow strip of land on which Worsley lay, the Nottawasaga River curved behind him running almost parallel to the lakeshore for about four miles, a piece of waterfront, which to future generations would become a popular tourist destination. 

            But now it was war and Worsley’s main concern was the schooner Nancy which sat anchored in the river behind him, her masts concealed by the trees.  She was his to command along with 21 seamen of the Royal Navy, 23 Indians and 9 French Canadian Voyageurs.  This was Nottawasaga Landing an important British supply post.  It was guarded only by one crudely built blockhouse on the inland side of the river and was the only means of defence which stood between the Americans and the Nancy, if she was to be discovered.

            The American ships Niagara, Tigress and Scorpion, under the command of Captain A. Sinclair had sailed to the mouth of the Nottawasaga River and dropped anchor.  They believed the Nancy whom they were seeking, was still on route from Fort Michilimackinac.  Perhaps the Nancy and her crew would escape the Americans after all……

Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” hosted by Nancy Island Historic Site and the Town of Wasaga Beach will feature authentic War of 1812 tactics, historical battles, marine assault landings, artillery, and much more. A professional public address announcer will narrate each battle event as a series of fictional and historical battle scenarios will be presented to the public over a three day period.  The Grand Encampment at Nancy Island Historic Site will feature over 400 re-enactors opening their living history encampments to the public along with 19th century merchants, artisans, period cooking, musket and cannon demonstrations, and period entertainment featuring, Ceol Cara, Caber Toss, Washboard Hank, The Zoom Daddy's and Backroads.

"The sandy beach and the modern attractions that surround it have overshadowed Wasaga Beaches rich history for such a long time, that only a small percentage of visitors and residents actually know that a War of 1812 battle was fought here.  Wasaga under Siege “A War of 1812 Experience” is an annual large scale re-enactment that will help bring to live this important historical event in Wasaga Beaches’ history.  Battles and activities will no longer be restricted to the Historic Site of Nancy Island as all battle events will take place off the island in various beach park locations throughout Wasaga Beach.  The battles taking place off Nancy Island will bring more awareness of our rich history to our visitors and residents as well as bringing more exposure and visitation to Nancy Island Historic Site itself.”  Bonnie Smith – Town of Wasaga Beach

Public Agenda

Wasaga under Siege – “A War of 1812 Experience”  

Thursday, July 24th/08
Picnics & Performances Featuring: Backroads
Start Time: 7:00pm	Admission: Free
Nancy Island Historic Site	Main Stage – Jack’s Nasty Face Entertainment Area
Friday, July 25th/08	Daily Admission Cost
Entertainment Schedule	$5.00 per person
Nancy Island Historic Site	Children under 16 years of age free
Main Stage - Jack’s Nasty Face Entertainment Area
Time	Band/Performer
10:00am to 11:00am	Backroads
11:10am to 12:10pm	Caber Toss
12:20pm to 1:20pm	Zoom Daddys
1:30pm to 2:30pm	Backroads
2:40pm to 3:40pm	Caber Toss
3:50pm to 4:50pm	Zoom Daddys
5:00pm to 6:00pm	Backroads
9:00pm - 11:00pm	Open Stage - Caber Toss & Guests
Friday, July 25th/08
Daily Activity Schedule
Nancy Island Historic Site
Time	Activity/Demonstration
10:00am to 6:00pm	Nancy Island Historic Site Open
10:00am to 6:00pm	War of 1812 Living History Grand Encampment Open
11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm	Musket Demonstration
10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm	Cannon Demonstration
11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm	Laura Secord Presentation
12:15pm, 2:15pm, 4:15pm	War of 1812 Surgeon Demonstration
7:00pm	Skirmish in the Woods Battle - Beach Area 2
Merchants & Artisans
10:00am to 6:00pm	Blacksmith - Les H. Smith
10:00am to 6:00pm	British Native Allies - One Feather Arseneault
10:00am to 6:00pm	Flintnapper & Story Teller - Jebidiah Grizzly Esq.
10:00am to 6:00pm	Frontier Popcorn Company Ltd. – Dana Bernier
10:00am to 6:00pm	Glen Farms' Past Times – Judie & David Glen
10:00am to 6:00pm	Historical Garment Retailors - Gail Reilly
10:00am to 6:00pm	Linda's Early Fashions – Linda Hanna
10:00am to 6:00pm	Lions Den Arms & Antiques – Les Szabo
10:00am to 6:00pm	Little Feathers Beads & Leathers – Chris Wilkinson
10:00am to 6:00pm	Lucy Lucket - Kerry Smith
10:00am to 6:00pm	Maple Syrup & Leather Crafts – The Wooldridge Family
10:00am to 6:00pm	Merchant - Pauline Grondin
10:00am to 6:00pm	Norfolk Mercantile - Bob Blakely
10:00am to 6:00pm	Pioneer Knives - Jim Logie
10:00am to 6:00pm	Sanderson Leather – Terry Sanderson
10:00am to 6:00pm	Scrimshander Demonstrations - Charles Hargrave
10:00am to 6:00pm	Sew Historic - Glendon Hovey
10:00am to 6:00pm	Sutler Cyrus - Period Games/Wares and Candy
10:00am to 6:00pm	The Captain's Mistress - Sara Elmes
10:00am to 6:00pm	The Seamtress Miller - Sharon Miller
Saturday, July 26th/08	Daily Admission Cost
Entertainment Schedule	$5.00 per person
Nancy Island Historic Site	Children under 16 years of age free
Main Stage - Jack’s Nasty Face Entertainment Area
Time	Band/Performer
10:00am to 11:00am	Ceol Cara
11:10am to 12:10pm	Washboard Hank
12:20pm to 1:20pm	Backroads
1:30pm to 2:30pm	Caber Toss
2:40pm to 3:40pm	Ceol Cara
3:50pm to 4:50pm	Washboard Hank
5:00pm to 6:00pm	Backroads
6:10pm to 7:10pm	Zoom Daddys
7:20pm to 8:20pm	Caber Toss
8:25pm to 9:35pm	Washboard Hank
9:40pm to 11:30pm	Ceol Cara
Saturday, July 26th/08
Daily Activity Schedule
Nancy Island Historic Site
Time	Activity/Demonstration
10:00am to 10:00pm	Nancy Island Historic Site Open
10:00am to 10:00pm	War of 1812 Living History Grand Encampment Open
10:30am, 12:00pm, 4:30pm	Cannon Demonstration
11:15am, 12:30pm, 4:00pm	Musket Demonstration
11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm	Laura Secord Presentations
11:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:45pm	War of 1812 Surgeon Demonstrations
1:30pm to 2:00pm	Gunboats on the River Battle Scenario - River, Beach Area 1
2:00pm	The American's Have Landed Battle Scenario - Beach Area 1
7:00pm	Defending H.M.S. Nancy Battle Scenario - Beach Area 1
8:00pm to 10:00pm	Self-Guided Battle Aftermath Encampment Tour
	* Musket, Drill & Cannon Demonstrations
	* Laura Secord Presentations
	* War of 1812 Surgeon Demonstrations
	* Musical Entertainment – Washboard Hank & Ceol Cara
	* 19th Century Merchants/Artisans, Demonstrations & More!
Merchants & Artisans
10:00am to 10:00pm	Blacksmith - Les H. Smith
10:00am to 10:00pm	British Native Allies - One Feather Arseneault
10:00am to 10:00pm	Flintnapper & Story Teller - Jebidiah Grizzly Esq.
10:00am to 10:00pm	Frontier Popcorn Company Ltd. – Dana Bernier
10:00am to 10:00pm	Glen Farms' Past Times – Judie & David Glen
10:00am to 10:00pm	Historical Garment Retailors - Gail Reilly
10:00am to 10:00pm	Linda's Early Fashions – Linda Hanna
10:00am to 10:00pm	Lions Den Arms & Antiques – Les Szabo
10:00am to 10:00pm	Little Feathers Beads & Leathers – Chris Wilkinson
10:00am to 10:00pm	Lucy Lucket - Kerry Smith
10:00am to 10:00pm	Maple Syrup & Leather Crafts – The Wooldridge Family
10:00am to 10:00pm	Merchant - Pauline Grondin
10:00am to 10:00pm	Norfolk Mercantile - Bob Blakely
10:00am to 10:00pm	Pioneer Knives - Jim Logie
10:00am to 10:00pm	Sanderson Leather – Terry Sanderson
10:00am to 10:00pm	Scrimshander Demonstrations - Charles Hargrave
10:00am to 10:00pm	Sew Historic - Glendon Hovey
10:00am to 10:00pm	Sutler Cyrus - Period Games/Wares and Candy
10:00am to 10:00pm	The Captain's Mistress - Sara Elmes
10:00am to 10:00pm	The Seamtress Miller - Sharon Miller
Sunday, July 27th/08	Daily Admission Cost
Entertainment Schedule	$5.00 per person
Nancy Island Historic Site	Children under 16 years of age free
Main Stage - Jack’s Nasty Face Entertainment Area
Time	Band/Performer
10:00am to 11:00am	Caber Toss
11:10am to 12:10pm	Zoom Daddys
12:20pm to 1:20pm	Backroads
1:30pm to 2:30pm	Caber Toss
2:40pm to 3:40pm	Zoom Daddys
3:50pm to 4:30pm	Backroads
Sunday, July 27th/08
Daily Activity Schedule
Nancy Island Historic Site
Time	Activity/Demonstration
10:00am to 6:00pm	Nancy Island Historic Site Open
10:00am to10:00pm	War of 1812 Living History Grand Encampment Open
10:30am to 12:00pm	Redcoat Iron Man and Iron Women Competitions
12:30pm, 3:15pm, 4:15pm	Musket Demonstration
12:00pm, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm	Cannon Demonstration
11:15am, 12:45pm, 3:30pm	Laura Secord Presentations
10:45, 12:15pm, 3:15pm,	War of 1812 Surgeon Demonstrations
2:00pm	Avenging the Nancy Battle Scenario - Beach Area 2
4:30pm	Wasaga under Siege Concludes/Grand Encampment Closed
Merchants & Artisans
10:00am to 4:30pm	Blacksmith - Les H. Smith
10:00am to 4:30pm	British Native Allies - One Feather Arseneault
10:00am to 4:30pm	Flintnapper & Story Teller - Jebidiah Grizzly Esq.
10:00am to 4:30pm	Frontier Popcorn Company Ltd. – Dana Bernier
10:00am to 4:30pm	Glen Farms' Past Times – Judie & David Glen
10:00am to 4:30pm	Historical Garment Retailors - Gail Reilly
10:00am to 4:30pm	Linda's Early Fashions – Linda Hanna
10:00am to 4:30pm	Lions Den Arms & Antiques – Les Szabo
10:00am to 4:30pm	Little Feathers Beads & Leathers – Chris Wilkinson
10:00am to 4:30pm	Lucy Lucket - Kerry Smith
10:00am to 4:30pm	Maple Syrup & Leather Crafts – The Wooldridge Family
10:00am to 4:30pm	Merchant - Pauline Grondin
10:00am to 4:30pm	Norfolk Mercantile - Bob Blakely
10:00am to 4:30pm	Pioneer Knives - Jim Logie
10:00am to 4:30pm	Sanderson Leather – Terry Sanderson
10:00am to 4:30pm	Scrimshander Demonstrations - Charles Hargrave
10:00am to 4:30pm	Sew Historic - Glendon Hovey
10:00am to 4:30pm	Sutler Cyrus - Period Games/Wares and Candy
10:00am to 4:30pm	The Captain's Mistress - Sara Elmes
10:00am to 4:30pm	The Seamtress Miller - Sharon Miller