Napoleonic history comes to fort
Hundreds of demonstrators and campers gathered around Old Fort Erie over the weekend, roaming about in full uniform, some in British red and some in French blue.
According to Niagara Parks Commission, the event was the largest Napoleonic Living History Event ever held in North America.
It was also the first time the fort has ever seen a re-enactment of a Napoleonic battle.
Campers set up true-to-time tents from the era of the Napoleonic War — about 1796 to 1815.
There were also a variety of shops selling period pieces, including old-fashioned metal kettles and salt-shakers and full Victorian costumes.
Many of the participants flew from France to attend the re-enactment.
One of them, Michael Hurley said they were pretending the Old Fort was one of the forts in the Peninsula War in Spain and Portugal.
Hurley, who met his wife reliving history, said re-enacting is a fun hobby.
“I’ve been doing it for the past 36 or 37 years. My kids have done it. It’s a great way to learn history.”
The event started Saturday morning, finishing with a battle reenactment at 7:30 p.m. Activities resumed Sunday, ending at 5 p.m.