Levee at Falls military museum next Sunday
The Niagara Military Museum will hold its third annual new year levee next Sunday.
Officials at the armoury on Victoria Avenue brought the old tradition back in 2016, after taking a 17-year hiatus.
As in the last two years, the oldschool ceremony will include cannon fire and salutes to the Queen, U.S. president, “our beloved Canada,” fallen military comrades, and the Canadian Armed Forces, said Jim Doherty, president of the museum.
“It’s been a tradition since the time of New France in Quebec, and has been carried on, primarily by the Canadian military,” he said.
“You gather and the primary purpose of it is not only a social gathering, but you declare your allegiance to the sovereign in public.”
Doherty said the event will be held next Sunday to avoid conflict with the official military levee Jan. 1 in St. Catharines.
He said this year’s event is scheduled to include dignitaries and speeches, followed by a social.
“We take it as an opportunity to renew friendships,” said Doherty.
Doherty said members of the 2835 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps., who are the co-sponsor of the levee and also call the Victoria Avenue building home, will be making sandwiches.
Members of the military museum will provide cake and cookies.
The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.