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The Bicentennial of the War of
1812
Commemoration and Celebration
Fort Erie
2012
Fort Erie
1812 Bicentennial Project Committee
• Mission
• To celebrate and commemorate the War of 1812 with the
highest possible standards highlighting its importance to
Canada and the Town of Fort Erie
• Strategic Objective
• To involve the community in the 1812 Bicentennial through a
series of events, educational initiatives and re-enactments
that will appropriately celebrate and commemorate the
Bicentennial and support and enhance the local economy
• Motto
• 1812—Canada’s First Step to Nationhood
What’s at Stake
• The Bicentennial of the War of 1812 will be the largest
national event subsequent to Centennial Year in 1967
Tourism and Economic Impact
Initial Assessment of the Marketing Opportunity Which the
Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Presents” (2009)
TSN Canadian Facts
• Amongst Americans living in border states 2.5 million
indicated that they would “Definitely consider attending”
and 6.1 million stated that they would “Probably consider
attending”.
• Amongst Ontarians, .75 million stated that they would
“Definitely consider attending” and 1.5 million stated that
they would “Probably consider attending”
What’s at Stake
• It was also projected that most Bicentennial visitors would
stay an average of 3.6 nights (Americans) and 2.8 nights
(Canadian) in the Niagara area to attend Bicentennial
celebrations.
• “High enthusiasm” amongst “same day” historical travellers
in S. Ontario and WNY
-WNY—1.1 million willing to drive 2-3 hrs.
-S. Ont.—2.1 million willing to drive 2-3 hrs.
-Same day travellers spend approx. $70/person/visit
Potential tourism revenue for the Region is $224 million
Other S. Ontario Events
• Other municipalities from Toronto to the Niagara
Region are planning major events for 2012-14.
These include:
• A major Niagara Region/WNY Opening Event
• Re-enactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights
• Levee in NOTL and Re-enactments
January 2012
•
The opening event for our 2012 celebrations will be an original play, set in Fort Erie in
the pre war period and presented by the Dominion Theatre Group
•
The opening production is entitled "The Lion and the Eagle" which will run the month of
January for the opening ceremonies of the bi-centennial festivities.. The new interpretation
centre at the old fort will be turned into Moody's Tavern an actual tavern in 1812. It's
Christmas time, 1811 and all the townsfolk, including soldiers and a few Americans are
gathering to celebrate the Yuletide. Suddenly.3 shots are heard outside and a hole is found in
the wall. The talk turns to the impending war with the Americans and many views are voiced.
The actors will display many of the common beliefs of the day about the war and the
Americans. The production will include songs of the day that the audience can join in on .
Singers, dancers, re-enactors, musicians and some of the best actors in the area will make
this an interactive event not to be missed.
•
January, 6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,27,28,29—2012—(12 performances)
•
The Theatre, Old Fort Erie Interpretation Centre
February-March, 2012
• Announcement of community participation
events and contests
• Crafters events—woodworking, quilts and other crafts
• Period Beard Growing organized by chapter
• Period Dress organized by chapter
• Participants and chapters will take part in the parade, and
Siege Weekend—judging of winners in various categories.
April, 2012
• Canada v. US Hockey Tournament, April 7
• April 7 at the Leisureplex
• This is a bi-national event with our US counterparts with a game in the
US to be scheduled shortly after April 7
• Paid admission event
• Joint 1812 Bicentennial/ALC Dinner, April 28
• The Bicentennial Project Committee will join with the annual ALC dinner
which will have, in part, an 1812 theme
May, 2012
• Fort Erie Museums Month,
• Museum presentations highlighting the Town’s history from
1812, the community during the War period,
driving/walking/biking tours of historic sites
• Two Public Lectures, May 12 & 26*
• Fort Erie in 1812, its citizens and the impact of the War.
• The First Nations Community in 1812, its view of the war and
its impact.
•
*tentative dates
June, 2012
The Grand Parade
June 23, 2012
• This will be the “signature” event
of the 2012 celebrations
• 50 bands, military units and
reenactors from Canada, the UK
and the US
• Floats and groups from FE
Schools, clubs and associations
with theme of “200 Years of
Peace” and “The Community in
1812”
• Parade to be followed by a Band
Tattoo at Old Fort Erie and battle
re-creation fireworks
Significant features
•
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Invitees include the Queen or member of
the Royal Family, the PM, the Premier
and Lt. Gov. and US Officials
The Prince of Wales Regimental Band
from the UK and one of the US Marine
bands have accepted invitations to
attend
This will be a major tourist draw for FE
and the Region.
Winners of beard and period costumes
will be announced at the band tattoo
Marketing will include TV, tourist
publications, and Canada-wide marketing
at the federal level.
Target June 23-July 1—300,000 visitors
August, 2012
• Siege Weekend—the largest siege event held
thus far. The Project Committee will add
displays including products from the craft
competitions.
• 1812 Golf Tournament—This is a community
participation event for both fundraising and
Bicentennial awareness.
September, 2012
• 1812 Dinner and Debate, September 15
• This is a ticketed fundraising event featuring dinner
with samples of 1812 food and a debate with the
theme “Who Won The War of 1812?”.
• Debaters will include 2 experts on the War of 1812
conducting a short serious debate followed by 2
celebrities debating the same question. Rick Mercer
and Stephen Colbert are being approached to
participate in the second debate.
August to October, 2012
• 2012 Finale—Original Theatre Production entitled “Sparks From a
Campfire” presented by the Dominion Theatre Group.
"Sparks from a Campfire" Imagine an evening on the battlefield outside the
Fort in 1814. At sunset, the battalion trumpet bleats and all quiet is
sounded. The British and Canadian soldiers and some Indian warriors relax
for the evening. A small, diverse group gather in front of a campfire to eat
and discuss the day. As the mail is handed out, each one of this group
proceeds to tell their story and how they ended up defending the frontier
for the King. A 14 year old from rural Ireland, a widow of a slain soldier, a
Six Nation defender, a German mercenary and the like. A interesting
theatrical device will be used in that the small band of actors will play
several parts. For example ,when the boy from Ireland begins to read a
letter from home and begins to dramatize his story of how and why he came
here, the widowed cook will play his mother in the scene. This type of roleplaying will be used throughout the evening. The play will be performed
outside ,on the grounds of the fort employing actual props from the era,
special effects. A very exciting evening of theatre and history.
Budget for 2011
• This is a planning and organizing year and relatively few
grant programs are available for this activity. We have
applied for a Heritage Canada Grant which provides for
funds up to $50,000

Salary Costs (June 2011-May 2012) 
$30,000
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Marketing and Communications
Band Deposits
Website Development
Travel Costs
TOTAL OPERATING
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$25,000
20,000
3,000
12,000
$60,000
Funding Sources for 2012
• Municipal Allocation
• Federal and Provincial Grants
• Fundraising and Sponsorships from the
private sector and service organizations
• Legacy Council
• Peace Bridge Authority creating a 2012-14
commemorative calendar with proceeds to
the Bicentennial