John Brant Day celebrates our history and the War of 1812

Summer festivals are always chock full of great entertainment, children’s activities, vendors and local artisans, making them a fun experience for the whole family. And if anyone knows how to make a great summer festival, it’s the Museums of Burlington. Our annual summer events draw huge local area crowds, and offer historical education mixed with family fun. Having already put on a smashing Canada Day Strawberry Social, we are excited to host JohnBrant Day.

Every year on the Civic Holiday, the Museums celebrate the history of one of the city’s founders, Joseph Brant Thayendenaga. Since this year is the 200thAnniversary of the War of 1812, they’ve taken a different approach, focusing on the achievements of John Brant. John Brant was Joseph Brant’s son and an important player in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Queenston Heights, making him the perfect focal point for this year’s festival. In fact you can expect to be able to witness a re-enactment of this battle at John Brant Day complete with War of 1812 historic soldier re-enactors. If you haven't seen something like this before you will be amazed how realistic these guys can make a battle look, smoking guns and all.

The event will have plenty of draw for those with a passion for history. In addition to the battle re-enactments, there will be the chance to experience the life of a soldier with military drills and exercises, a chance to go through a historical militia encampment, Zig Misiak’s Wampum Workshop & 1812 storytelling, the portrayal of Laura Secord and the reenactment of Sir Isaac Brock & John Brant’s meeting (as part of Brock’s Walk that retraces Brock’s historic journey from Fort York to Port Dover in helping save our country). You can check out more about that here

Let’s just say the Museum’s of Burlington know how to satisfy your thirst for knowledge. Thanks to significant funding from Canadian Heritage, the Museums have been able to expand their historic militia and War of 1812 encampment to the largest ever; making this War of 1812 spectacle something you won’t want to miss. 

It doesn’t stop there, though - the Museums' team have worked to create a fun filled day with children’s games, inflatables, live parades and entertainment such as The Teen Tour Band, the musical talents of Hoys Totsy, the Sophisticated Swing Big band Orchestra and Blue Stone Cloud Hoop dancing. If that doesn’t seem like enough, there will also be crafts, artisans and vendors, a silent auction, roaming entertainers, face painting, boat rides, balloon twisting, drum circles and so much more. How we’ve managed to fit so much fun into a single day is beyond me, but you should definitely head down and see for yourself. The best part? Admission is FREE!

Remember, John Brant Day is on the Civic Holiday Monday, August 6th, 2012 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at LaSalle Park. Hope to see you there! Oh, and you can take a shuttle from Aldershot High school if the parking lot is full at LaSalle Park – the shuttle will run regularly all day from 10:00 am until 5:30pm!

For more information contact Sylvia, Special Events Programmer, 905-332-9888 -  hentzs@burlington.ca www.museumsofburlington.com

La Salle Park is located at 50 North Shore Blvd. East (at Waterdown Road)

Guest Blogger

Sylvia Hentz

Heritage Day Commemorates War of 1812-14 Bi-Centennial

The Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812-14 is quickly coming upon us.  June is the official start of the 200 years of peace that we are commemorating.  And yes, the commemorations will continue until 2014!  Most of us do not know what the significance of this event means.  I admit, I didn’t either.  But I have been slowly piecing information together, learning from historians, educators and colleagues.  This event was ultimately what has made us Canadians.  It is a big deal!

Imagine what Burlington looked like.  It was 1812!  It did not look anything like it does today, and in fact it was not even called Burlington, at the time.   It was, and is still known as a safe place, a place of trade, a cross roads, a landmark, a resting point and a refuge - a destination for food, shelter, and shared resources.

There were many nations involved in this War.  First Nations peoples, British, Americans, Loyalists and locals were called to duty. This War played a significant role in the shaping of Canada, the United States of America, and Six Nations, and their peoples.  The end of the war marked the beginning of 200 years of peace between our nations.

One of the upcoming events, where you can learn more about how we are Canadians, this War’s events, the people of this location and period of time, is the Burlington Heritage Day event, being held at the Burlington Public Library on Saturday February 4th, 2012.  The theme this year is the War of 1812. 

The day’s seminars include:

·         “War of 1812 and the Six Nations” Zig Misiak, Historical Re-enactor, Native Studies Curriculum Developer

·          “Burlington Connections to the War of 1812-14” Daphne Smith, Museums of Burlington

·          “The Brants in Burlington” Jane Irwin, Burlington Historian

·          “2nd Regiment of the York Militia; researching the men of the Burlington area” Fred Blair, OGS

·         “Everyday life in 1812: medicine, clothing, values” Jim Taggart, Re-enactor

Also at the event, will be a number of interactive displays, educators, historians, volunteers, re-enactors and citizens who are looking to tell Burlington’s story.  They have much to tell!    Admission is free and you’ll learn some interesting stories, just like I have.  Burlington was not the site of large battles, but the War was fought here, just like in many other small towns, farm fields and homes nearby.

Other events, like the Burlington Historical Society - Speaker Series will take place in 2012.  The Burlington Historical Society will commemorate with a 2012 Program that started on January 9, 2012. Zig Misiak was the first speaker in this series.  Zig spoke on "The War of 1812 and the Six Nations."  The speaker Series takes place at the Burlington Central Library. 
Speaker Series:
February 13, 2012: Ruby and Thomas McQueston- Mary Anderson
March 12, 2012: The Burlington Races - Prof. Tom Malcomson
April 9, 2012: William Halton and Halton County - John McDonald
May 14, 2012: The War of 1812
The Burlington Central Library, is also Screening the documentary film: The War of 1812. This PBS documentary explains the roots of the War and its major campaigns and battles Wed Feb 22, 7 pm.

You can learn more about the significant role that the area now known as Burlington, and its local peoples played, by visiting Burlington’s Joseph Brant Museum. Enjoy a tour of the Museum, where you can learn about Joseph Brant, father of John Brant (Ahyouwaighs) who distinguished himself in War of 1812-14 by supporting the British throughout the War of 1812 by participating in the Battle of Queenston Heights and encouraging other members of the Six Nations from along the Grand River to fight the American invaders.  Located on the Burlington’s waterfront, this museum ‘s location is significant as the site where many nations of peoples gathered and met and it is also recognized as a crossroads of traveled routes, by water and land.

And for those planning ahead, Joseph Brant Museum will be honouring John Brant on Monday August 6, 2012, at the annual Joseph Brant Day Festival an annual event held each Labour day Monday at LaSalle Park, Burlington.  If you are interesting in learning more about the War of 1812-14 and looking for an interactive family fun day, add this date to your calendar. 

Did you know that there are many stories, myths and legends mixed in with history as we know it?  For example, there is much controversy about the “Burlington Races”.  The Burlington Races Revisited; A Revised Analysis of an 1813 Naval Battle for Supremacy on Lake Ontario by Robert J. Williamson.  This is a legend, although based on naval facts, and is quite a story!

And, did you know that the Red Geranium will be recognized as the official flower for the Commemoration of War 1812-14?  Wouldn’t it be spectacular to see all of Burlington in Red Geraniums next spring??  Plant your Red Geraniums to commemorate the War of 1812.

Heritage sites, academic, cultural, tourism and community groups from across this geographic territory have been working collaboratively to prepare for this event.  A number of events and initiatives are occurring in 2012-2014 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812-14.  Watch for more events and information on the Tourism Burlington and the Western Corridor 1812 websites. 

So…you can choose to be an observer, by attending events and learning from the experiences coming up over the next few years, or you can be a participant by getting involved, seeking out sites, plaques, stories from your family’s history or even by promoting the learning of our Canadian History in kids, with your families. 

This commemoration is about being Canadian.  It is about our multi-culturalism and celebrating diversity.  It is about building and celebrating those pathways to peace. 

How will you commemorate War 1812-14?

TourBurl Simone

Halton Region Museum celebrates 50 with Farm Day!

Looking for something to do this Sunday?  Why not take a trip to the Halton Region Museum, just a short drive from Burlington, at the foot of the Escarpment in Kelso Conservation Area.

The Halton Region Museum is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary with an exciting roster of events and activities for the balance of the year, including the return of Hearthside, Jazz at the Museum concerts, a book launch and a fun-filled Alexander Family Farm Day on Sunday, September 18, 2011.

The Halton Region Museum is the original home of the Alexander family, Scottish immigrants who purchased the land in 1836. This enterprising and innovative family farmed the land for four generations. They were one of the first farms in the country to generate their own electricity and we like to think that we are continuing the Alexander tradition by generating a little electricity of our own with our exciting fall events.  Alexander Family Farm Day offers something for everyone, whether your interest is in music, history, art, the environment or hiking.

From 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 until 4 p.m.

Pioneer Chores & Games, Living as a Blacksmith, Pond Study, a Mystery Farm Challenge, Water Quest, a Geocache Adventure (pre-registration required on site), a Discovery Hunt and Pump House Relay.

High Rendition Jazz

At 11 a.m

Take in a performance by High Rendition Jazz

At 11 a.m. (and again at 1:00/2:00/3:00)

Try your hand at painting wooden fish through a Stream of Dreams activity (pre-registration required onsite) that provides environmental education through community art that focuses on our watershed.



At 11 a.m. and again at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 

Watch a Puppet Show – What Do You Know About Water?  

Chris McKhool

At noon

BBQ opens. Reception and Cake Cutting with Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr

At 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Grab your kids and dance to the tunes of popular children’s performer Chris McKhool

Birds of Prey



At 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

See birds up close and learn about their fascinating life histories at a Birds of Prey show

The Halton Region Museum is your centre for exploring Halton’s natural and cultural heritage. I invite you to join us on September 18 as we celebrate just a small sample of all we have to offer. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Centre and check out our new interactive timeline and a sneak preview of our new online exhibit, Jeff’s home: a virtual exhibition of the Niagara Escarpment in Halton.

Admission to Farm Day is 50 cents and there is plenty of free parking.  Anyone who completes a passport of activities will receive a small prize.  

Learn more and register at www.halton.ca/farmday or on Facebook. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Nancy Field

Manager of Heritage Services, Halton Region

Going above and beyond is our standard

Linda O our resident outdoor enthusiast

When 4 o’clock rolls around in the Tourism office, the staff is usually winding down from a busy day of meeting and greeting those who have come to experience what Burlington has to offer.  Recently, popular spots to visit have been the unique restaurants in the downtown core for the Taste of Burlington, or the beaches that offer a great place for families to have some fun in the sun.  At 4 o’clock last Wednesday, however, the Tourism staff got a special visit from a French-Canadian cyclist passing through town.  His mission was to find a great camp site where he could relax for the night and continue on his journey to Toronto the following day.  When it comes to cycling and the outdoors, Linda Olimer is the go-to girl.  Linda and our new twenty-three year old friend took to our Transit, Trails & Tourism guide to search for the best route.  Finding a campsite for one isn’t as easy as you would think, but after many calls and a few inquisitive questions we got an answer.  “Well yes, he’s a good-looking guy.  And very fit.  No, I don’t think he’ll be partying tonight.” Linda chuckles on the phone while talking with one of the campgrounds.  After a comical screening process over the phone, we have found our friend a place to stay.  Since us folks at Tourism Burlington like to go above and beyond customer service, we also found him a great route in Toronto so he could take in a Jays game before heading home to Quebec.  But that’s not all.  A business around the corner was in need of a goodlooking young man for a photoshoot, and we had just the guy!  Our cyclist friend had a laugh, but of course he was up for the challenge.   He left satisfied with a great campsite, bike route, and what was perhaps the beginning of a promising modelling career. 

Our friendly travel counsellors

At the Tourism office, we meet visitors who have come from all over the world to visit Burlington and the GTA.  Recently, a couple from Sweden were visiting with their daughter and were interested in learning about the history of our city.  Lucky for them, Joseph Brant Day was just around the corner.   We love talking with our local visitors, just as much as our international friends.  Even if you are a Burlington native, stop by the centre and talk to our Summer Travel Counsellors about neat things to do in your own backyard!

Becky Fera

Ban Summer Boredom with Burlington’s Adventure Activities for Locals and Visitors of All Ages.

Get Out in the Green and Enjoy the History and Heritage of your Backyard Treasures.

The Royal Botanical Gardens

Summer Sings and Swings at the Royal Botanical Gardens

It’s always beautiful at the RBG, but right now it is irresistible – with cool shady walks and gardens full of flowers at their summer best.

Learn to Love your Veggies in the 100 Mile Garden

Photo credit Barbara Orr

The Veggie Garden is an exciting addition to the RBG and promotes something which I support wholeheartedly – eating fresh, eating local and eating well.

These gardens, each one carefully designed and well signed, are both inspirational and beautiful – who knew that a salad could look so gorgeous? Visitors can read about the different kinds of vegetables and herbs that are growing here in a collection of themed gardens, as well as find recipes for using them.  But more than just something to look at and maybe try to duplicate, the gardens are positioned as a call to action. Visitors are asked to take the 100 Mile Veg Pledge which is a promise to use one locally grown ingredient in one meal per week for a year.  If 2000 people take and honour the pledge, 80,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions due to transportation will be saved – the equivalent of burning 3.3 million litres of gasoline.  And of course, there are health benefits too.

But this is a beautiful place to visit too, nice and shady in the morning, and totally inspirational.  There are many suggestions for the gardener, ideas to steal for his own space, however small it may be.  There are suggestions of how to use planters and pots to grow vegetables and herb, with examples of different designs and different containers.  This is one of my new favourite places in the RBG.

Cook Those Greens!

If you are a foodie or a budding chef, plan to attend the Edible Weekend for classes in pesto making and herb drying in the garden on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Hit the Trails for August and July

There are more than 27 kilometres of walking trails, and a total of 30 different trails in the RBG and they are the prefect place for a hike in the summer months.  This is the time when new birds are merging from their nests, and wildflowers bloom alongside every path.

If you prefer a guided walk, try one of the free weekly Sunday Back to Nature walks that rotate between four locations, one for each week of the month, and conducted by RBG volunteers.

Garden Gnomes and Fairies

Indulge in a little wistful magic during the RBG’s Magic and Mischief weekend, which will include magical activities, costumes and more.  There may be pixies!

Summer Swings in the Gardens

Music and beautiful gardens make a natural partnership.  The RBG has a line-p of evenings running all summer that celebrate the marriage of natural beauty and gorgeous sound.

Hendrie Garden

Tranquil Tuesdays run every week from 6:00 pm to 8:30 and are the chance to enjoy classical music under a big white tent.  Or sit on the grass and sip a glass of wine and nibbles on appetizers while you listen.  You can stroll through the gardens with the discrete strains of the great composers as company.

Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues moves the gardens into a more upbeat mood on Wednesday evenings during the summer, showcasing fine jazz and blues musicians, and they play rain or shine.

For the Kiddies

Day camp programs for kids 3 to 12 feature hikes, canoeing in Cootes Paradise, games, crafts, activities and daily explorations of ecologically significant nature sanctuaries covering over 1000 hectares of wetlands, fields and forests.  The programs include a new half day program for three and four year olds.  Day campers can make art in the garden, learn about the creatures that make their home in the park, create projects, discover nature, plant seeds, and generally discover the wonder of the outdoors.

So much more rewarding than a television screen or a computer monitor!

There’s almost too much to do, but one thing is sure – with the delights of the RBG right next door to you, you will never exhaust all the possibilities for natural fun this summer.

Check it all out at http://www.rbg.ca/

Halton County Radial Railway Museum

(Fun Fact:  The Bare Naked Ladies filmed a video here!)

Photo credit Barbara Orr

Oswald beams at me.  “Look carefully at the number on my badge, #147,” he smiles.  “When you get to the end of the ride at Meadowvale Station, notice the number on the badge of the person you meet there.”

That person is the Ice Cream Lady and she’s #147 too.  Turns out, she’s Mrs. Oswald.  Kind of romantic, isn’t it?

Oswald is a volunteer at the amazing and quirky Radial Railway Museum.  He and many others like him who have a passion for all things train related form the backbone of the museum and run its daily programs.

What a fun place this is!  I have no special interest in trains and I’m not the least bit mechanically inclined but this museum is just so compelling.  It is different from any other museum you will tour in Ontario.

There’s much to do, from riding the restored antique trains along the two kilometres of track, with a stop at the Meadowvale station for ice cream, to enjoying a picnic by the old rail station.  The station at the start of the run is a microcosm of a past era, with old typewriters, train memorabilia and a still operable telegraph.

There’s a large display barn where you can look at the many types of old trains that the museum has rescued and either restored or are in the process of restoring. The trains are surprisingly beautiful, far more aesthetically pleasing and ornate than the trains of today.  Many of them are open and you can walk through them and imagine what travel must have been like a hundred years or so ago.

There’s a gift shop and a snack bar for light lunches.

I ride to Meadowvale with Kevin.  He is an teaches at the TTC and volunteers at the museum on his days off. “I just love the history here,”  he tells me. “ I meet so many train aficionados like myself, and some of the older ones have actually ridden these cars when they were in service.  Their stories are wonderful to listen to. You would be surprised at the people who seek out this museum.  Just yesterday there was someone from Australia and another person from Europe.  Even our volunteers come a distance – from Kingston, even Michigan.”

The museum is open seven days a week during July and August, from 10:30 to 4:30.  For more information, call the museum at 519-856-9802.

Plan a visit here for a unique experience and great photo opportunities.

The Waterfront Trail Leisure Company

Stop in to this friendly bistro for a good cup of coffee, a gluten free muffin and few laps on the indoor bike.  Steve Whealy will be there, and if he doesn’t make you into a cycling enthusiast, I’ll be surprised.  His passion is contagious.

The WTLC has been in business here since last April, and its following just keeps growing, I think because it offers a valuable service to cyclists and tourists as well as providing a good meal for diners.

Bikes and Tours

The business offers a whole cluster of services.  Steve rents bikes, but not just bikes, - everything you could possibly need to go on a cycling excursion, from helmets and backpacks to tents, coolers and even prepared picnic lunches.

Photo credit Barbara Orr

He also creates tours for cyclers, custom designing them to suit each customer.  He knows the cycling details of the area inside and out and can advise on the best routes, the location of desirable stopping areas, the most cycling friendly inns and B&Bs – in short all you need to know for a bike trip in Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington.

He also rents tandem bikes and child ride attachments. 

Steve provides guided rides as well, and finds that the tour of Old Burlington is one of the most popular.  “I think that Burlington is the premier bike riding city in Ontario.”

The Indoor Cycling Room

For those who feel the need to do some cycling but are short of time or don’t want to brave the elements, there’s the indoor riding room.  Here you can take a relaxing – or challenging - ride, while scenes of Hawaii or the Grand Canyon make you feel as if you have just had a full blown cycling holiday.

Bistro Fare

The bistro provides locally sourced healthy food, with many of the dishes being gluten free. “I want this to be an inviting and welcoming place for people to gather and to dine,” Steve tells me. “Customers can sit out on the little patio for coffee or dine in, but I am most interested in providing good value and good service.”

And, for your added pleasure, there’s a small gallery of original art and photography that is available for purchase.

There’s something to please just about anybody here, and if you have a cycling trip in mind, this is the company, and the man, you must visit.

The shop/bistro/cycle centre is open seven days a week, from 8 am to 7 pm (although the closing times vary according to what is happening in town.  If things are busy and people want food and coffee or need to return a bike, he will stay open later.)

For additional information, check out the website, http://www.waterfronttrail.ca/.

The Waterfront Trail Leisure Company is located in Village Square at 2049 Pine Street between Pearl and Elizabeth.

Tel: 905/633-9852.

© Barbara Ramsay Orr, Guest Blogger

Barbara Ramsay Orr is a freelance journalist, author of the Frommer's Guide to the Niagara Region, third edition (2010), Day Trips from Toronto for Globe Pequot and a lifetime resident of Ontario. Her work has appeared in many national and international publications, including Chatelaine, Canadian Living, The Globe and mail and Readers Digest. She is the Local Expert on Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wine Country for Nile Guides, and is launching a travel app for Niagara Falls and on International Wine and Food Festivals. She has been the food writer for Hamilton Magazine for more years than she wishes to admit. You can follow heradventures, tune in to her tweets @Orracle, or visit her Niagara Falls andNiagara-on-the-Lake Blogs.