War of 1812 Bicentennial Huronia Ontario Canada

The War of 1812 Events, Festivals, Reenactments plus 2012 Bicentennial Activities: Follow the featured events here:

Re-enactments at Fort Willow Minesing near Barrie

Events and Re-enactments  2012

Penetanguishene Museum

1812 travelling exhibit from Canadian War Museum - June 23rd to September 16th. 
Penetanguishene Museum, Penetanguishene Ontario

Discovery Harbour--War on the Lakes

Visitors to Discovery Harbour on Georgian Bay will be treated to naval  highlights of the War of 1812,  “War on the Lakes” art exhibit at Discovery Harbour runs Tuesday to Saturday to June 30, and seven days a week July 1 to September 2, 2012.  Discovery Harbour is in Penetanguishene Ontario

Karin Taylor, Curator at Huronia Historical Parks

Consisting of close to 40 pieces, the stunning “War on the Lakes” art exhibit largely
features the superb artwork of Canadian marine artist Peter Rindlisbacher. A richly-
coloured reproduction collection of his original paintings, complete with historical text,
gives visitors a tremendous survey of key Naval aspects of the War of 1812. Themes
include the siege of the Nancy (near present day Wasaga Beach), the history of the
General Hunter, the story of the massive ship St. Lawrence, and background regarding
many other vessels relating to the War of 1812.



The beautiful exhibit is part of the Bi-National 1812 Art Collection coordinated by Canadian Art Cards, originally selected from over 300 art submissions when the exhibit was initially developed.

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Huronia Doors Open-Penetanguishene June 2,3

Free tours of  War of 1812 Military Site at Discovery Harbour on Saturday June 2. The history of Discovery Harbour began in 1793 when the area was scouted for use as a strategic naval base. The harbour was built during and after the War of 1812 for defence purposes. A provincial historic site, Discovery Harbour features the replica ships HMS Tecumseth and HMS Bee, as well as a collection of smaller vessels.  And tours at the Penetang town docks of the HMS Badger is a replica 1812 British gunboat fashioned after vessels common in Nelson’s navy during the Golden Age of sail.  Authentically rigged as a naval cutter, the Badger flies up to seven sails.  Stay overnight for this two day event

• Best Western Highland Inn & Conference Centre
• Comfort Inn
• Little Lake Inn Bed & Breakfast

 Barrie Ontario: Celebrate Barrie June 1-3

Historic Downtown Barrie "Nine Mile Portage"

One of the first major re-enactments will take place in Barrie Ontario with the "Celebrate Barrie" on the first weekend in June. Take a journey back in time as Barrie commemorates the War of 1812  (1812-1814). Bicentennial and the founding of Barrie June 1-3 at Heritage Park. Featured hotels & resorts in the Barrie area

• Carriage Ridge Resort - Horseshoe Valley
• Comfort Inn
• Georgian Conference Services
• Georgian Summer Suites
• Horseshoe Resort

 Book Best Barrie Hotel deals on Line.......More on Barrie Ontario 

Photo by R.Taylor:  Site of eastern terminus of an Indian portage from Kempenfeldt Bay to Willow Creek &  thence by the Nottawasaga River to Georgian Bay....... followed it on the way to relieve the isolated British garrison at Michilimackinac.

Related Stories:

Barrie launch festivities for the War of 1812's 200th anniversary
The Barrie Advance
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman joined reinactor Lynne Downer, at the Queens Hotel
to launch the festivities for the War of 1812's 200th anniversary. A number
of events are planned to celebrate the milestone. Stan Howe photo BARRIE -
Barrie has a lot in store ...see complete story 


Related story on Re-enactments: Toronto Star My weekend in militia circa 1814

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Nancy Island Historic War of 1812 Site Opens New Interpretive Centre 

The Barrie Advance: Thhe centre was completed this year in preparation for the War of 1812 bicentennial events planned over the next three summers. Staff photo: Trina Berlo WASAGA BEACH – The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new welcome centre on May 24, 2012. More on Wasaga Beach Ontario, Georgian Bay was a major supply route to  support the British forces along Lake Huron to Detroit.  Take Highway 26 from Barrie to Wasaga Beach.  More on the cross-border Civil War of 1812.
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War of 1812 Naval Battles Georgian Bay Lake Huron

Several of Ontario's first naval battles occurred during the War of 1812 along the Great Lakes. Georgian Bay, Lake Huron was instrumental in transporting supplies to the British forces. Historian and author Alan Taylor will be at the Huronia Museum to discuss his most recent book "Civil War of 1812" on May 4. See more information on upcoming events concerning the Georgian Bay War of 1812

Family Day Weekend Continues North in Ontario

Hockey Game Family Fun

Head North for Family Day Weekend Fun


Family Day weekend is the first long weekend for a holiday getaway or day trip.  February 20, 2012  is the official public holiday date. 
See  featured "Family Day things to do" in a variety of resort destinations north including Algonquin Highlands,  Barrie Area, Blue Mountain / Collingwood Area, Haliburton Area, Jackson's Point Area, Kawarthas Area, Midland-Penetang Area, Muskoka Area. Find some of the best travel bargains & hotel deals in resort destinations north of Toronto Ontario below. 

Lake Simcoe Kempentfelt Bay Barrie Ice and Light" layers forming along the shoreline

Ice Formation On Barrie's Kempenfelt Bay

Last Minute: Festivals of Lights Wind Down in 2012

Festival of Lights

Barrie Festival of Trees and Lights

Until Spring 2012
Barrie lights up along Kempenfelt Bay's Lakeshore Drive on Lake Simcoe  See the Barrie Festival of Trees and Lights where some of the 50,000 lights which form the Festival of Trees Display at Centennial Park will be five animated displays.  Barrie hotels, resorts.

Upper Canada Village's Alight at Night FestivalMorrisburg, ON
December 2, 2011-January 7, 2012Stroll around historic Upper Canada Village, adorned with a quarter million lights. Horse-drawn wagons, carriage rides for two, Toy Train rides for kids of all ages, skating, dining, shopping &more!
Upper Canada’s Village web Site
stay at resorts, inns, hotels Ottawa, ON Ottawa hotels on-line

Christmas Lights Across Canada’s Capital Region

December 1, 2011 - January 7, 2012
Parliament Hill, 20 NCC sites and over 60 other sites along Confederation Boulevard will sparkle with more than 300,000 dazzling lights during the Holiday Season. On opening night, join us on Parliament Hill at 6pm for the illumination ceremony.
Christmas Lights Across Canada website info
stay at , resorts, inns, hotels Ottawa, ON Ottawa hotels on-line

Festival of Northern Lights Catch The Magic
Owen Sound
November 18, 2011 to January 3, 2012
Owen Sound has a History of Local resident Sally Sargent was quoted in a past Sun Times article as saying it was fairly easy to determine who worked for Noma Lites during the 1950s and early '60s in Owen Sound. “You'd be able to drive down the street and see all of the homes all lit up with lights and you would know they worked at Noma. . . . You'd almost have to wear sunglasses when you went by some of the houses.”
Festival of Northern Lights web Site
stay at resorts, inns, hotels Owen Sound, ON

Barrie Ontario December Sunrise from Minet's Point Lake Simcoe

Fall Scenes & Photos North of Toronto

Discover Ontario's Horseshoe Valley with a fall colour road trip

Horseshoe Valley to Orillia Return to Barrie Fall colours (colors) Route

Take Highway 400  north past Barrie to Simcoe Road 22 (The Horseshoe Valley Road) drive to Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Coulson, Jarratt to Highway 12 where Horseshoe Valley Road ends. Turn right at Highway 12 and proceed east to Orillia. Upon leaving Orillia, take Highway 11, south to Barrie, or take the Old Barrie Road and work your way back to Barrie. For latest fall colour (color) changes please see Fall Colours Leaf Change Central Ontario.  More on Horseshoe Valley

The Maples are almost 100% Peak Colour

Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour Simcoe County  October
The Images Studio Tour is an artist-run juried event and, boasts one of Ontario’s finest and longest running studio tours. Forty outstanding artists and crafts people will exhibit their work over the 4 days at 23 different studios in historic towns. Tour the  back roads including Lake Simcoe shorelines. Travel north via Highway 400 to Highway 11.   Stay in Barrie, Orillia or Horseshoe Valley. Also enjoy the fall harvest season with a Thanksgiving Getaway Packages

Maple leaves, oranges, yellows, reds in one tree

Fall colours continue North of Toronto

The latest fall colour report from The Ministry of Tourism indicates leaf colour is peaking in the Barrie to Midland area north of  Toronto.Horseshoe Valley offers great vistas over the region and Barrie Parks provide shoreline views along Lake Simcoe.  The report ads the Collingwood region has colours at Peak with the view from the top of Blue Mountain at Scenic Caves always offering an outstanding view. The view from the suspension bridge at Scenic Caves is amazing. There is about 20% leaf fall in the area.  See suggested road trips starting in Barrie, Ontario in Simcoe County.

Trumpeter Swans on Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe

During the snowy week of December 8th about a dozen Trumpeters showed up to feed on Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe, along the Barrie Waterfront.

Most likely they arrived from the Wye Marsh in Midland.

Early Winter along Lake Simcoe

Snowfalls along Lake Simcoe near Barrie, November 2008 Ontario

Ontario's First Snow Over Kempenfelt Bay-Lake Simcoe

Ontario Travel to Fresh Snow

Fresh snow over Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe is the first sign of winter north of Toronto. Many winter enthusiasts are busy tuning up snowmobiles, ice huts, skis, and skates for the upcoming winter er sports season.
Many festivals of lights will glisten with the backdrop of fresh snow. See our selection of 100's of winter getaways, festivals of lights and Santa Claus Parades. Be sure to check out winter road conditions before heading north of Toronto.

Ontario's Military Highways on Rememberance Day

In addition to the traditional Remembrance Day Ceremony held at 11:00 a.m. next Sunday November 11, we encourage Ontario residents to take time and visit one of the provinces military museums or take a drive on one of the two significant Military Highways in Ontario.

The Peacekeepers' Way Highway

The Peacekeepers Way (Highway 90) runs from Barrie to Angus and Base Borden, approximately 10-kilometre drive from Barrie. This is a reminder to think about our fore bearers and what they fought for during the two major wars, the Korean War and now Afghanistan. Visitors may attend the Borden Military Museum during operating hours.

The Highway of Heroes

The Highway of Heroes is a 170-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between the eastern Ontario airbase in Trenton where the flag-drapped coffins of fallen soldiers arrive and the forensics centre in Toronto that receives them. A stop in Trenton to visit the National Air Force Museum of Canada is recommended.

Base Borden Military Museum

CFB Borden
18 Waterloo Road East
P.O. Box 1000 Station Main , Borden ON, L0M 1C0
Telephone:1-705-423-3531
Fax:1-705-423-3623
Hours of operation: Weekdays: 0900 – 1200 hrs and 1300 – 1500 hrs Weekends & Holidays: 1300 – 1600 hrs.
Closed: The day following a long weekend, Christmas week and Easter weekend.
Guided tours by appointment only.

National Air Force Museum of Canada

Mailing Address: 8 Wing Trenton
PO Box 1000, Stn Forces , Astra ON, K0K 3W0
Telephone:1-613-965-2140
Fax:1-613-965-7352
Email: rcafmail@reach.net
World Wide Web: rcafmuseum.on.ca
Hours of operation: Summer 1 May - 30 Sep: Mon to Sun 1000 - 1700 hrs.
Winter 1 Oct - 30 Apr: Wed to Sun 1000 - 1700 hrs.
Mon and Tue Closed.