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Festival at Fort Willow looking for participants

August 24, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Nottawasaga Conservation Authority is looking for participants for the Festival at Fort Will. 

The two-day celebration of the history of Fort Willow and the surrounding area is returning to Utopia on Sept. 29 and 30. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the past through engaging demonstrations, displays, and performances.

The festival aims to bring history to life and foster a deeper appreciation for the region’s history.

You can be a part of the festival as they are looking for talented individuals and groups to join as demonstrators. You can share your expertise, demonstrate your craft, and be a part of the experience that brings the past to life. Whether you’re well-versed in pre-European contact lifestyles, the fur trade era, or the War of 1812, you can apply and become a part of this historical showcase.

“The Festival at Fort Willow is a remarkable opportunity to connect with history in a truly immersive way,” Said Kyra Howes, Director of Conservation Services at Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. “We are looking to emphasize what life was like for regular people around the turn of the 19th century. Military demonstrations will be part of the festival. These have always been a staple of the festival.”

Festival organizers also hope to recruit volunteers who want to help make the event a success. Volunteers will have the chance to experience the festival while engaging with visitors and helping to create unforgettable experiences.

The Historic Fort Willow Conservation Area was used for centuries by Indigenous Peoples, during the fur trade and by French explorers as part of a major transportation route known as the Nine Mile Portage. It was strategically located as a supply depot during the War of 1812. Both Fort Willow and the Nine Mile Portage are provincial and national historic sites.

The festival will take place on Friday, Sept. 29, with an education day and Saturday, Sept. 30, with a public event.

To register or for more information, contact Elise Barr-Klouman, event facilitator at NVCA, by e-mail at ebarr-klouman@nvca.on.ca or call 705-424-1479 ext. 236

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