Canfest in Port Stanley

If anyone actually reads the blog, I am still alive... and busy. Because of that, I've not made a blog entry in quite a while. Today I have the time.

Last weekend, our reenacting group - the King's Company of Historical Reenactors - took part in the festivities in Port Stanley for the Canada Day weekend. Canfest, as it was called, had quite a few activities in the town of Port Stanley on Lake Erie. We were asked to put on a historical display on Saturday at Christ Anglican Church, and we found ourselves as part of a historical celebration there as well. (Photos courtesy of the local newspaper and the Magical Port Stanley FaceBook group.)

Christ Church from our fly under a wonderful tree.
The weekend was hot but there was a wonderful breeze and plenty of shade.

Nick (representing the Royal Marines), Stephanie (one of our singers and fifers), and Kevin (in the white hunting
shirt of the 17th US Infantry) appear to have captured a dragon! We were told later that it was a friendly sort and
there were no problems.

 We displayed a number of period items, including weapons, First Nations gear, and civilian items with an emphasis on toys.

My wife, Beth, demonstrating the communication a woman could do with her fan.

Pick-up sticks, dominos, and clothes peg soldiers and figures.
The toy soldiers were made by one of our members' father when he was a reenactor.
One visitor asked the price and was disappointed when we told him they weren't for sale.

Small dolls in US uniform and in civilian woman's clothing.

We discovered that we were to take part in the re-dedication of the grave of John Bostwick, an officer of the local Canadian militia during the War of 1812. There was a marker next to his for his brother, Henry, although his actual grave has been lost. Their family was instrumental in the settling of the area and actually gave the land to the Anglican Church (then known as the Church of England in Canada) for Christ Church.

A historical plaque giving a lot of the information on Colonel Bostwick

The province's historical marker held the line while the piper warmed up.

Henry Bostwick's marker in the Church cemetery.

John Bostwick's tombstone in the cemetery. Bob, in his full officer's uniform, is a descendant of
the Bostwick's, a fact that came to light during the ceremony. 

A militia officer, one of the church's wardens, and Bob in the cemetery after the ceremony.

The re-dedication included a colour party from the Royal Canadian Legion, a contingent of members of the United Empire Loyalists, and a firing party of reenactors representing the Royal Scots (1st of Foot) light company, the Royal Marines, the local militia, and the 17th US Infantry. The firing party fired one volley in honour of the Bostwicks, but only one because of the complexity of reloading the muskets. It was an honour to take part in this event.

Beth talks to me as we all "kit up" for the ceremony in the cemetery.

Further kitting-up. I'm glad it wasn't too hot with the shade and the breeze. Our cotton/linen hunting shirts or roundabout
jackets are cool, but the red wool coats of the Crown forces (or our blue coats) can be murder!

Brad and Nick return from the firing line.

Cole and Tom of the Royal Scots get ready. Kevin of the 17th US cools off behind them.
This was Cole's first time out and he did just fine. Brad and Tom are old veterans and they
taught him right.

The Royal Canadian Legion colour party get lined up before the ceremony.

There were a  number of people interested in our displays and the buffalo burgers for sale at the event were fine. (It was a fund-raiser for the church and the local food bank.) We all left by late afternoon/dinner time and counted the day a success.

Brad and Nick share a joke. I wish I knew what it was!