ALL-NEW UPPER CANADA HERITAGE FESTIVAL - Not to be Missed!

 Don’t miss the all-new Upper Canada Heritage Festival, July 1 to 4, 2010. Experience real 19th century forms of entertainment, social engagements and delightful amusements NEVER-BEFORE-SHOWCASED at Upper Canada Village!

Heritage Festival Schedule of Activities

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE:

Circus Equestrian Show – The highlight of the Festival will be a twice-daily, daring spectacle of acrobats on horseback, dressage, a contortionist, a juggler and more, all part of a musical circus equestrian show by Luna Caballera from Quebec -- the 19th century was the golden age for this type of showmanship! Members of the Luna Caballera troupe together with other performers and Village carriages will kick off each day with a daily parade through the streets to the festival grounds.

Music & Merriment – Daily performances by the Village’s Travelling Tiltons will be showcased along with a wandering fiddler and musical interludes by members of Luna Caballera throughout each day. A 19th century Barrel Organ has been purchased, which will give visitors a hands-on opportunity to create melodic music from the past.

Magic & Illusion – An illusionist will amaze visitors with his slight of hand on both Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4. Visitors can see first-hand the 19th century circus oddities in Diablo’s World of Wonders dime museum.

Competitions - Visitors are encouraged to get into the action of 19th century sportsmanship by taking on the defending Village champions in a boat rowing regatta on the Village Mill Pond, or by joining in a game of cricket coached by a professional from the past!

Punch & Judy Puppet Shows – A colourful and artistically created, new period puppet theatre, produced in Quebec for the Village, with professional actors will put on shows of this classic 19th century play daily for children and adults alike.

Visitors can stop in at the “Wedding House” and have their say on the details of the “big day”. Guests can also discover the customs and traditions of a “19th Century Wake”, and join in the excitement of a 19th Century Election … with John A. Macdonald himself in the crowd!

Visitors can hear talks and dramatic presentations on 19th century fashion, the “Elizabeth Keckley Story (a first-person presentation of a black woman in the U.S. who rose from slavery to wait on the First Lady), and Cooking in the 19th Century -talk, sampling and book signing by author and historian Dorothy Duncan.

Peddlers and vendors will be on the grounds selling their wares.

Heritage Vehicle Display – a number of vehicles from the Village collection will be on display in the Festival grounds.

Children’s Games & Activities – There will be games and crafts under the colourful tents on the Festival grounds for families. Organized heritage games will also be a part of the festival’s schedule of activities each day.

Heritage Dining: Pig Roast Picnic – In addition to a “Festival Special” at Cook’s Tavern, and lunch/afternoon tea at Willard’s Hotel throughout the four days, a Sunday afternoon Pig Roast Picnic will take place near the Festival grounds. Offered 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the picnic will feature a buffet style luncheon including pork, salads and strawberry dessert with lemonade or iced tea. The cost is $15 per adult and $8 per child.