Fall Rendezvous Festival is a four-day event in September hosted by the Friends of Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site.
This year it's being held from Sept. 24 – 27.
The festival is a chance to immerse yourself in the history of the war of 1812 and the daily life of the early 1800s, through a number of live reenactments including cannon and musket fire, Indigenous storytellers, workshops and more.
"Today we're having a slice of life around 1812. We're the fur traders, there's red coats here, there's voyageurs, there's some Indigenous dancers coming and on Saturday the best thing will be the Highland festival," said Steve Scott, one of the reenactors.
"We're going to have three bagpipe bands, Highland dancers and all the rest of us will be here as well. It'll be fun."
The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site will host a formal ceremony on Saturday at 12 p.m. as part of the Fall Rendezvous and Highland Fest.
The event will recognize a series of important milestones in the preservation and stewardship of the site, including:
- 60 years since the municipality purchased the Old Stone House, guided by the leadership of Gladys McNeice and the Historic Sites Board.
- 55 years since the designation of the Ermatinger Clergue property as a National Historic Site of Canada.
- 45 years since recognition under the Ontario Heritage Act
In addition to reflecting on these achievements, a new brand identity and logo for the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site will be unveiled. A massed bands performance featuring all local Pipe and Drum bands will also help mark the occasion.
“The Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site stands as a cornerstone of our community’s history and cultural identity,” said Kathy Fisher, Curator at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site.
“As we celebrate these milestones, the new branding reflects our commitment to honouring the past while ensuring the site continues to inspire future generations.”
For more information on the Fall Rendezvous and Highland Fest, visit this page.