Siege of Wasaga

by Festival Nomad, Gary McWilliams

Wasaga Under Siege Re-visited 2011
The Americans waited patiently on the sandy beach, sure that the British were coming! Cannon fire suddenly filled the air! Smoke from the guns billowed up into the clear blue sky. This was a sign that the battle was about to begin. Wasaga was Under Siege! We had travelled the 3 hours from Cobourg to Wasaga Beach to visit David Brunelle’s re-enactment Wasaga Under Siege. It was an event that Judi and I were looking forward to, because it meant that we would be re-united with some friends and new acquaintances that we had recently met at the War of 1812 Bicentennial Provincial Meeting. This was ironic because after we had parked our car, the first person we met was Kathy Fisher, Curator, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and Regional Director for the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations for the Sault Ste. Marie region, Algoma. Kathy had travelled the 8 hours from Sault Ste. Marie to participate in the re-enactment and to help promote Algoma 1812. She was with her two children and they all were dressed in period clothing. They told us they had spent the night in the encampment on Nancy Island in an authentic War of 1812 tent. Kathy’s son, Ben, a precocious 12 year old, told us that he was going to "die" tonight! He said that he was spending the entire day “practising dying”! He wanted it to be “just right”! Although you might think it odd that a 12 year old would be a re-enactment soldier, but it’s true. Several weeks prior to the event, this enthusiastic young man wrote the Chief re- enactor, David Brunelle, a compelling e-mail outlining why he, a 12 year old, should be allowed to be one of the re-enactment soldiers. The e-mail apparently outlined the historical facts about young men (boys) participating in the War of 1812. In fact, it was so convincing that the head organizer of the re-enactment had to admit that the reasoning was valid and the young man could participate. The sparkle in the young lad’s eyes showed, as he spoke about his upcoming “death”. He was hooked for life and had caught the bug for re-enacting! Along the way of the encampment we met the other folks from Algoma, Louise McAuliffe and Elia Marini. We were amazed at how many families were taking part. Many of the folks stayed overnight on Nancy Island, as Kathy and her family did. I’m not sure if anyone got any sleep, but with all the fresh air perhaps. We finally met up with Dave and congratulated him on presenting such a fantastic weekend for everyone!

Wasaga Under Siege 2009

Going to the Beach
I hadn’t visited Wasaga Beach in many years.  I had been there a lot in my youth but not in recent years.  When I heard about “Wasaga Under Siege” re-enactment, I knew it was one event I wanted to attend.  So on an overcast Saturday morning we set off for a 4 hour drive to the shores of Lake Huron and Wasaga Beach.  Our drive to the Beach was uneventful and we arrived just as the battle was about to begin.

Wasaga Under Siege
The battle was taking place along the river banks of Beach Area 1.  Gun boats were being paddled up the river and shots were fired!  Gun smoke from both the land and river filled the air!  The River battle was in full force.  After a while the river battle ceased and the “Americans” landed.  The “Land” battle was “on”!  Both sides tried to out “maneuver” and "out gun” one another, but eventually the “American forces” (this time) prevailed!  With the battle over, all combatants joined together, saluted one another and then marched to the re-enactment village located on Nancy Island Historic Site.  Judi and I followed

Nancy Island Historic Site and the Re-enactment Village
In following the re-enactors, we passed through the downtown area of Wasaga Beach.  The stores along the beach front where full of happy shoppers.  After walking through the village, we reached the Nancy Island Historic Site.  We passed through the “Welcome Centre” and crossed over the bridge into the island.  It was like entering another world!  Tents had been set up everywhere and people in period clothing stood talking to one another in groups.  We had been invited to the re-enactment by its main organizer David Brunelle.  We found him at the main information tent.  As we hadn’t met in person, we introduced ourselves.  Dave was dressed in an impressive commanders uniform.  We talked about Wasaga Under Siege re-enactment and David’s new assignment as Project Director for the Southern Georgiana Bay War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee.  After we had left Dave, we started to explore the re-enactment village to discover all its surprises.  As we walked the grounds the rain started to come down.  At first it was a light sprinkle, then a heavy down pour. When this happened, we sought cover in the entertainment tent.  We listen to the entertainers, but as the afternoon wore on, we decided to make a dash for the car.  We were “drenched” by the time we climbed into the car.  The rain hadn’t let up!  We “splashed” our way through the streets of Wasaga.  Halfway home the rain let up and the sun began to shine.  Wasaga Under Siege had been great fun and very educational.

Back To Top

Wasaga Under Siege 2011