Adam Prudhomme
Editor
History will come to life June 16-18 in Adolphustown’s UEL Park as re-enactors turn back the clock to the 18th century during Thunder on the Reach.
Over 250 history buffs are expected to take part in the event, which celebrates the anniversary of the first Loyalists arriving to the shores of modern day Adolphustown, which took place June of 1784.
The event kicks off Friday with a gunboat battle re-enactment, which will be viewed best from the beach at the UEL Heritage Centre and Park. The ‘battle’ between the British red coats and American Yankee soldiers will get underway at dusk, which falls about 8:30 p.m.
“Saturday there’s going to be a re-enactment at 2 p.m. of the Loyalist Landing,” said David Smith of the Canadian Fencibles, who is helping to organize the event. “We have about 10 to 12 boats coming, period boats, and we’re going to be landing the Loyalists as they did in 1784 and that will also include the drawing of lots. It was like a lottery if you will and as everybody in the family arrived, soldiers drew lots based on a number of a different criteria, their rank as well as how many children depending on what age or if they were single they might get considerably less, something as small as say 50 acres with the responsibility to clear it in a period of time so that it was usable land.”
The results of that lot draw in 1784 account for where some UEL families live to this day. Also on Saturday will be a tactical demonstration with historical re-enactors in the UEL Park around 11 a.m. followed by music by Steve Medd at noon.
On Sunday there will be a march from the park to St. Albans for a special ceremony at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m. will be a UEL flag raising at the UEL ceremony.The church service at St. Alban’s is a commemorative service in memory of those Loyalists who landed at Adolphustown in June of 1784. Following the service a tea will be hosted by the Friends of St. Alban’s at the old town hall.
Tragically the cemetery was established just one day after the Loyalists landed when a child passed away and was buried there.
“Thus the legacy of hardship and really tough times by really hearty people who gave up a lot to make their lives here in what became Upper Canada at that time,” said Smith.
Throughout the weekend the park will be transformed into an early settlement as the historical re-enactors will set up a camp.
For more on the event, which is free and open to all members of the public, visit www.UEL.ca.