Wednesday 28 December 2011

NEW YEAR'S LEVEE AT FORT GEORGE CELEBRATING - 1812 RELATED EVENTS





NOTL's New Year’s Day levee to kick start 1812-related events




Starting off 2012 with a bang. The New Year’s Day Levee in Niagara-on-the-Lake has been moved from Navy Hall to the grounds of Fort George. This year the levee also marks the start to War of 1812 Bicentennial commemorations. Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley will be receiving visitors in the Fort’s officer quarters. Above, organizers Lyle Williams (left) from the NOTL 1812 Bicentennial Committee, Dan Laroche from Parks Canada, Jim Alexander also from the committee and Erika Alexander from the Friends of Fort George gather in front of the quarters.

































Niagara-on-the-Lake knows how to start a new year off right. 
Each year, on Jan. 1, residents and local dignitaries gather at Navy Hall for a New Year’s Day Levee. It’s a time to reflect on the year that has past and toast the year ahead of them. It’s a chance for politicians to send greetings to the people they are charged with representiing and above all, it gives one lucky cannoneer the chance to make a big “bang” during the artillery demonstration. 

The annual event, organized by the Friends of Fort George along with Parks Canada and some help from the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, has become a tradition for many families in town. This year, however, the event is about to get much bigger. It has been named a War of 1812 Bicentennial Signature Event and will mark the official start to bicentennial-related events. 


“This really kicks off the Bicentennial of 1812 commemorations that are set to take place around the region, and the country, in the coming years,” said Dan Laroche from Parks Canada. “This is it. This is the first event.” 
In addition to the change in location, there will be a few other things different at the event. For starters, it’s called the Lieutenant Governor’s New Year’s Day Levee and David C. Onley will be on hand, receiving visitors in the officers quarters as well as acting as commandor during a battery guns demonstration. 



Jim Alexander, a volunteer with the Niagara-on-the-Lake War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee, said things will be a lot more formal this year. “This really kicks off the Bicentennial of 1812 commemorations that are set to take place around the region, and the country, in the coming years,” 


Fort George will be open to the public, for free, during the event and people are invited to check out some of the displays in addition to the events related to the levee. 


Fort George is located at 51 Queens Parade in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There will be free parking on site. 
For more information related to 1812 Bicentennial events, visit www.visit1812.com or www.1812niagaraonthelake.ca.  For  more information call 905-980-0346.


PARTS OF ARTICLE TAKEN FROM NIAGARA THIS WEEK.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

MARIA REKRUT - PERSONAL INVITATION

I am personally inviting anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing time during this busy Christmas and New Year's season to spend a day in Niagara on the Lake.

It's wonderful to walk through Niagara on the Lake and be enveloped and surrounded with Christmas music. Christmas music is piped daily, in downtown Niagara on the Lake during this Xmas season.

For the cyclists and walkers, you can cycle and walk safely throughout Niagara in December!!  What a delight and surprise.

I look forward to meeting you at one of our charming cafes sipping on a hot chocolate or cappuccino watching the world going by.  If you have any questions regarding Niagara on the Lake, please don't hesitate to call me at 905-980-0346 or 1-866-226-4730.

May I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

May you and your families have a safe and peaceful season.

Warmest Regards,

Maria Rekrut


Wednesday 14 December 2011

FIREWORKS OVER THE FALLS AND ILLUMINATION


Fireworks supported by Fallsview Casino Resort & Illumination
Enjoy spectacular fireworks displays explode high over the mighty Falls! You can enjoy them while skating at the TD RINK at the Brink, from many local restaurants, or from the comfort of your hotel room. Fireworks over The Falls are supported by the Fallsview Casino Resort. 

Fireworks:
  • Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 6:30PM & 8PM (approx.)
  • Friday, November 11, 2011
  • Friday, November 18, 2011
  • Friday, November 25, 2011
  • Friday, December 2, 2011
  • Friday, December 9, 2011
  • Friday, December 16, 2011
  • Friday, December 23, 2011
  • Friday, December 30, 2011
  • Saturday, December 31 - 9PM & Midnight
    (as part of the New Year’s Eve Party in Queen Victoria Park)
  • Friday, January 6, 2012
  • Friday, January 13, 2012
  • Friday, January 20, 2012
  • Friday, January 27, 2012
All performances take place at 9:00PM unless otherwise noted. Dates and times are approximate and subject to change. As always, fireworks performances are weather permitting and may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions like high winds or rain.

Falls Illumination:Every evening from November 5 to February 29 beginning at dusk the Falls are illuminated in the colours of the rainbow - don't miss the unmatched beauty of Niagara Falls at night!  Did you know that since 1925, illumination of the Falls has been financed and operated by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board?  

As always, illumination are approximate and subject to change according to light conditions.
Lighting the Falls to allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Niagara even at night, was first attempted more than 140 years ago. In 1860, a spectacular illumination of the falls celebrated a visit by the Prince of Wales. 

About 200 coloured and white calcium, volcanic and torpedo lights were placed along the banks above and below the American Falls, on the road down the bank of the Canadian side of the gorge and behind the water of the Horseshoe Falls. The lights were called Bengal lights and were the kind used at sea to signal for help or give warning.

Illumination of the Falls using electricity first occurred in January 1879, during a visit by the Marquis of Lorne, Governor-General of Canada and his wife Princess Louise. The lights had an illumination power of 32,000 candles, just a fraction of the intensity used today.


In 1907, W. D’Arcy Ryan of the General Electric Company designed lighting that provided far more power than ever before. Thirty-six projectors illuminated the Falls with a combined candlepower of 1,115,000,000. The display ran for several weeks.


For more than a decade after that, different attempts were made to raise financing to install permanent lighting. Some efforts were prevented by the First World War, but in 1925, a group of interested businessmen finally created the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, to finance, operate and maintain a new, permanent illumination system. Today’s contributing members are the City of Niagara Falls, NY; the City of Niagara Falls, ON; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Ontario Power Generation; and The Niagara Parks Commission.


The Board’s first installation in 1925 was twenty-four carbon searchlights each 26 inches in diameter, emitting a total of 1,320,000,000 candlepower. The Falls have been illuminated most nights since that time - except during World War II when the lights were turned off to conserve power and during subsequent years when generating facilities could not keep pace with electrical requirements of the construction boom. It was not until January 1950 that the Illumination Board was able to guarantee enough power to operate the lights on a regular basis.


In 1997 and 1998, new fixtures replaced the outdated lamps and fixtures at the Illumination Tower, doubling the intensity of the lights on the Falls without doubling the hydro bills. Currently a total of 21 xenon lights, each with a 76-cm (30 in) diameter, are used to illuminate the Falls. Eighteen are located at the IlluminationTower, beside Queen Victoria Place and three are located below street level in the gorge opposite theAmerican Falls. Each of the xenon spotlights produces more than 390 million peak beams and has a brilliance of 250 million candlepower.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE NIAGARA FALLS WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS VIEW THE WEBSITE AT: www.wfol.com

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Clause Parade 2011


Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Clause Parade 2011


Niagara on the Lake Santa Clause Parade 2011 PhotoThe Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Claus parade arrives this year on December 10, 2011.
Begining at the corner of King and Centre Streets the parade will turn right on Castlereagh, left on Wellington, left on Byron, left on Simcoe, and left again to make its grand passage down Queen St.
You are welcome to come and watch as the parade makes its way through beautiful downtown Niagara on The Lake.
The Niagara -on-the Lake Parade is well known for the number of floats from a variety of locations. It is sure to be a spectacle worth the visit for young and old.
Where: Niagara on The Lake
When:  December 10, 2011
Time:  11:00 am
Event: Niagara-on-the-Lake Santa Claus Parade
Place:  Down Town Niagara on the Lake

Monday 28 November 2011

The Niagara on the Lake - War of 1812 Bicentennial



2012

  • The Niagara on the Lake 
  • War of 1812 Bicentennial
  • January 1, 2012  Lt. Govenor's New Year's Levee  Celebrate the first official event of the War of 1812 Bicentennial in the Naigara region in Niagara on the lake. Meet Ontario's Lt. Governor, the Honorable David Onley
  •  
  • June 8,9,10, 2012  -St. Mark's Church CHIME FESTIVAL
  • A spectacular festival for Chimes and Carillonneurs
  • St. Mark's Church, Niagara on the Lake, On
  • See: www.stmarks1792.com
  •  
  • June 15,16,17, 2012   -Bicentennial Grand Opening Celebrations      DECLARATION OF WAR! - Military Ball on the eve of the declaration of the War of 1812 dinner with British and American officers put on by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Historical Society and Museum. Many events planned for three days in Niagara-on-the-Lake
  •  
  • July 1st Canada Day - historic celebration
  •  
  • July 13-15, 2012 The Navy of 1812: Sailors on the Lakes
  • Naval encampment on the grounds of Navy Hall, Niagara on the Lake, with 5 tall ships (4 Brigantines and a schooner-1812 Squadron) and 22 longboats with 200 naval re-enactors. Plans call for a Longboat Processional Row Sat morning and an Assault landing exercise on Sat afternoon at Queens Royal Park featuring Defence Force marines and a "sham battle".
  • Including theatrical performances by the Loyalist Theatre.
  • "The Sailor's World in 1812" encampment features period music of "Gin Lane" and dancing demonstrations by the Fort York Regency Dancers. This is a Parks Canada/Royal Canadian Navy partnered event.
  • Contact: Victor Suthren   suthren@magma.ca  or phone             613-269-3609      
  •  
  • July 14, 2012 In Concert at St. Marks Church - The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge - Celebrating War and Peace over 200 Years. Come and see this World Class Choir - for details see:http://www.stmarks1792.com/page/TRINITY_COLLEGE_CAMBRIDGE_CHOIR_IN_CONCERT_2012
  •  
  • October 12 & 13 - BATTLE OF QUEENSTON HEIGHTS - Brock's ride to Queenston Heights near Brock's Monument. Hundreds of re-enactors from the United States and Canada will be faithfully re-enacting this famous battle that helped form the Nation of Canada. 
  •  
  • October 14 - BURIAL OF BROCK - funeral procession from Queenston to Fort George, followed by the commemoration of Brock's burial in the Fort.

Friday 25 November 2011

SHAW FESTIVAL WINTER FILM FESTIVAL 2012








SHAW FESTIVAL WINTER FILM FESTIVAL 2012
in Niagara on the Lake

Call:  905.468.2172 or view the list of films on: www.shawfest.com/films



LIST OF FEATURE FILMS at the FESTIVAL THEATRE
SATURDAYS  3PM


DEC 3 MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
DEC 10 SARAH’S KEY
DEC 17 50/50
DEC 31 THE TRIP
JAN 7 JANE EYRE
JAN 14   STARBUCK (SUBTITLED)
JAN 21 BEGINNERS
JAN 28 THE FIRST GRADER
FEB 4, 11, 18 & 25 TBA




DOCUMENTARIES


FRIDAYS 5:30PM 
FESTIVAL THEATRE

JAN 6 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK
JAN 13 THE TOPP TWINS
JAN 20 BUCK
FEB 3 FORKS OVER KNIVES
FEB 10 PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES
FEB 17 PROJECT NIM

* February feature films will include four of the
following: The Guard, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,
The Descendants, The Artist, The Iron Lady,
Margin Call, Carnage, In a Better World and
My Week with Marilyn


TICKETS

SINGLE TICKET = $11
FILM PASS  12 FILMS = $115
DOCUMENTARY PASS 6 FILMS = $60
STOCKING STUFFER 9 FILMS = $90

P R E S E N T E D   BY   T H E   S H AW   F E S T I VA L 
In association with Film Circuit, a division of
the Toronto International Film Festival Group.






HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE



HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE



Candlelight Stroll - Friday, December 2nd - A guided stroll winding through the
historical town, accompanied by local choirs and seasonal entertainment.

Rotary Holiday House Tour - Friday, Dec 2nd & Saturday, Dec 3rd -            
Call 905-980-0346 for tickets and information.

Santa Claus Parade - Saturday, December 10th at 11:00 am,
in Niagara on the Lake, town centre.

MCFARLAND HOUSE CHRISTMAS - DEC 2011

Dinning Room in the McFarland House



MCFARLAND HOUSE CHRISTMAS - DECEMBER 2011

December 2, 3 & 4 | 10 am - 4 pm
Regular Admission Applies

Enjoy a lush Victorian Christmas at McFarland
House with all natural, historic decorations.
McFarland House is also part of the Niagara-onthe-Lake
Rotary Holiday House Tour. As always
there will be hundreds of homemade Christmas
cookies, hot chocolate, and mulled cider to delight
your senses and tempt the palate once you step
inside! Please note: this is an open house event
weekend; table service in the tea room is not in
operation for this special event.

HOLIDAY TEA AT MCFARLAND HOUSE

December 10 & 11 | 12 - 5 pm
Regular Admission Applies

Please join us as we reopen the Conservatory Tea
Room for a precious weekend to celebrate the
Holiday Season! Reservations are recommended
for this special treat. This will be the first time in
history that McFarland House has been open for
Afternoon Tea at Christmas-time.

Please call (905) 468-3322 for more information
15927 Niagara Parkway , Niagara-on-the-Lake.



Now for a little bit of history and trivia 
facts for the history buffs!!


McFarland House Facts & Figures
  • Built in 1800 by John McFarland and his sons, on land granted to him by King George III
  • One of the few buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake which pre-dates the War of 1812
  • Used as a hospital and headquarters for both the British and American armies during the War of 1812. It was also the location of a cannon battery created to protect the Niagara River
  • Built on a ravine that was used as the launch point for the British attack on Fort Niagara in 1813
  • Beautifully restored by The Niagara Parks Commission and opened to the public in 1959


MORE LINKS TO HISTORICAL PLACES FOUND IN NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

McFarlandHouse

Visit Niagara Parks' Oldest PropertyGrounds at the McFarland House
For more than two centuries McFarland House has stood as a monument to the impeccable manners, good taste and gracious living that epitomizes Niagara-on-the-Lake.Visit us and experience a taste of Georgian style and pace. Qualified costumed interpreters provide guided tours of this historic home throughout the day.
Come visit this gem - built in 1800, the House is the oldest property owned by The Niagara Parks Commission.
Located in a picturesque park setting with playground facilities and a baseball diamond, the House is adjacent to the Niagara River Recreation Trail. McFarland Park also offers a covered picnic pavilion which seats approximately 250 people, with water and washroom facilities nearby.
In preparation for the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 McFarland House has undergone some much needed renovations since last season. This is the first occasion that such large scale improvements have been made to the property. The house was last renovated in 1955 before the site opened to the public in the spring of 1959.

We are very proud of these enhancements to our facilities which will allow us to better serve our guests. We have built a new historically inspired conservatory, created modern washrooms, and drastically renovated the interior spaces within the back wing of the home to make the property more accessible and welcoming for all who come to visit.