Once upon a soldier

The City of Toronto's Historic Fort York has a few soldiers in colourful historic uniforms marching with weapons and musical instruments on the grounds full of War of 1812 buildings.

The fort has guided tours and drill, musket and music demonstrations to show visitors of life during the period of conflict between Canada and the United States. You can check out more information at the Friends of Fort York website.

The War of 1812

The last time America was really mad at us we had the War of 1812. British, Canadian and American soldiers and native Indians made war on each other across a lot of southern Ontario, on land and on water. In Toronto we have the great old Fort York which is a historical military museum of the period - a period where York was captured by the Americans. Here is a shot of Fort York taken from high above on the Gardiner Expressway.

I also discovered that the war carried on up in Wasaga Beach where a supply ship called the Nancy was hiding from the Americans in the Nottawasaga River. The mast of the ship was seen by the Americans who attacked the vessel. The Empire sailors abandoned ship and set fire to it before the enemy could capture it's stores. That ship burned down to the waterline and over a period of many years the wreckage caused an island to form Nancy Island which is now home to the Nancy Island Historic Site. The re-enactors set up a large encampment for the three day's of fun and excitement.

Every year they re-enact the events leading to the sinking of the Nancy on the sandy beach during the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada's Wasaga Under Seige. There was even a small sloop trading cannon balls with a Tall Ship a little ways off the beach.

See more pictures after the jump.

While in Wasaga Beach you can also enjoy the world's longest freshwater beach. You can walk on the boardwalk, check out the strip driving along the beach or see the peeps enjoying the weather and water.

During my stay I found some girls on a bachelorette party - they needed the bride to be to squeeze the ass of a stranger so I volunteered my ass.

Doors Open Smorgasbord

The success of Doors Open is measured in the number of visitors and attractions that take part in the May weekend event across Toronto. This year marks the 11th Doors Open and I know that standing in line waiting to get into some of the 140 plus buildings means that Torontonians are really enjoying this chance to see places that they normally wouldn't be allowed into or otherwise have to pay to get into.

Besides Toronto City Hall I also went to the National Ballet School. Not only do the students take ballet training they also go to school and live on site. Besides the full time ballet students there are about a 1000 people a year that take ballet classes throughout the year. The school was difficult to take pictures of because the students have to practice on Saturdays and you couldn't take photos showing students - so pretty much a washout for a photographer like me.



So onwards to Historic Fort York with some colourful uniforms as soldiers march and practice with their muskets.




Later I make it to the CNE and the Horse Palace. I watched an expert cowboy show some amazing skills that were originally used to herd cattle in Portugal. I don't think the Toronto Police Mounted Unit put on a show but they did have one of their horses out for introductions to the public.

Battle of York Day

Battle of York Commemoration at historic Fort York. Soldiers of the Fort York Guard, the Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada and the 22nd US Infantry did some artillery and drill demonstrations and shot off some muskets.


During the War of 1812 the American's decided to invade Canada. While they won a few battles, including the capture of York, both sides eventually allowed the stalemate to come to a peaceful conclusion.

It only costs $8 (adult) to come into the Fort and while the crowds were sparse the drills and musket and cannon fire were impressive.