Advertisement 1

An Upper Canada Village toast to Queen Victoria

Article content

MORRISBURG – The late Queen Victoria’s birthday was celebrated in style at the Upper Canada Village Sunday, much to the amusement of the many tourist site’s visitors.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

“Queen Victoria was quite a popular monarch in the 1860s,” explained Sara Edwards, supervisor of interpreter entertainment and domestic programs for Upper Canada Village. “We’ve been celebrating the queen’s birthday here for well over two decades.”

According to Edwards, Victoria Day was also quite the holiday back in the day.

Article content

“It was one of two extra days of rest in the year,” she said. “It was also a way to welcome spring.”

Recommended from Editorial
  1. Jack Noel and his siblings, Gwen and Logan sport wool beards while visiting the wool factory at Upper Canada Village on Sunday May 5, 2019 in Morrisburg, Ont. Greg Peerenboom/Special to the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network
    Upper Canada Village opens for the 2019 season
  2. One of the play areas, at the new feature for the 2017 Alight at Night, Twinkle Town. Photo on Friday, December 1, 2017, in Morrisburg, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network
    Record-breaking attendance for 2019 Alight at Night

Visitors to the village were treated to several different activities, such as an outdoor concert, a brass band, various games and the chance to witness a militia inspection.

“It’s been quite busy,” said Debbie Robinson, interpreter. “The celebrations are bigger this year.”

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

The outdoor concert invited visitors to take a seat in front of Cook’s Tavern and admire the skills of some of the village’s musicians, as they played some of the most popular tunes of the 1860s. By the end of their first song, the four talented musicians and singers had managed to attract well over 40 listeners.

Quite popular were the many re-enactors, which walked throughout the village’s streets, much to the delight of visitors. The more curious ones were rewarded with being able to learn more about everyday soldiers as well as musket use.

Visitors to the Upper Canada Village were treated to several outdoor 1860s-style concerts during the Queen Victoria’s birthday celebrations, held on Sunday May 19, 2019 in Morrisburg, Ont. Francis Racine/Special to the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network
Visitors to the Upper Canada Village were treated to several outdoor 1860s-style concerts during the Queen Victoria’s birthday celebrations, held on Sunday May 19, 2019 in Morrisburg, Ont. Francis Racine/Special to the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Francis Racine /Francis Racine/Special to the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

Amongst re-enactors were the Brockville Infantry Company and the 41st Brockville Rifles, sporting red coats. Many militia members, wearing green coats, were made up of villagers.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

“Militias were present in smaller communities such as this one,” stressed Edwards.

All throughout the day, visitors were also encouraged to join the village’s firefighting services, which culminated with trials with the antique fire engine.

Official celebrations took place at 1:30 p.m., with a patriotic ceremony, which included the singing of God Save the Queen. In addition, several speeches were made, praising the queen, followed by other songs.

The festivities were concluded by a joint militia muster and drill by the reenactors as well as some more musical entertainment.

Victoria Day is the first big event of the year for the village, having only been officially open for two weeks.

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    News Near Cornwall