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 Colours: 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.