Media Releases

October 14, 2009

“Haunted Harbour” event at Discovery Harbour fun for entire family

Penetanguishene’s Discovery Harbour launches its new “Haunted Harbour” event evenings October 28-29, promising a fun and spooky evening for the entire family.

Discovery Harbour’s great evening atmosphere during the haunting season will make the historic site’s “Haunted Harbour” a must-do outing this Hallowe’en. Little ghosts, goblins and their families can arrive at Discovery Harbour’s main entrance and then proceed along a candlelit path through the famous historic properties with costumed staff on hand to assist. During the stroll, visitors can peer into various heritage buildings to see what awaits! The Home of the Clerk-in-Charge may be the first stop – beware of a witch’s “cauldron”. In the Captain’s house, ghouls from the past will be socializing – a party you might be shy to join. The home of the Naval Surveyor will be transformed into a display of treasure-seeking skeletons, and watch out for a pirate brigade on the quarterdeck in the North Visitor Centre. Keep your ears peeled as you peer into the Boat Shop - the forest is alive, and make sure to tip-toe around the scary graveyard near the Keating House.

To wrap up the evening, a special “hands-on” ghostly Hallowe’en craft activity will be available in the North Visitor Centre, and visitors can check out the “Creepy Canada” episode that features ghost stories from Discovery Harbour.

The new “Haunted Harbour” family event is at Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene and runs evenings October 28 and 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is just $3.00 per person with a non-perishable food item which will be donated to the local food bank. Children ages 5 and under are free. For further information call (705) 526-7838. Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks, and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

Media contact:
Bill Brodeur Coordinator, Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
(705) 528-7692
Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca

Archives

July 30, 2009

Métis Day Bo'jou Neejee Event at Discovery Harbour August 8

The fascinating heritage and culture of the Métis people will be celebrated at Discovery Harbour with the fourth annual Métis Day Bo'jou Neejee Special Event on Saturday August 8.

The Métis people have a strong connection to Discovery Harbour since they were part of the military migration from Drummond Island to the original Penetanguishene base in 1828 when the boundaries between Canada and the United States were established.

New this year will be the Métis dance troupe “Jig on the Fly”. The group’s three members grew up in Western Canada, and discovered each other and their fancy footwork in 2005. Since then “Jig on the Fly” has performed at festivals in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto. Also new this year will be live music by the “Métis Fiddler Quartet”, one of Canada's most unique and versatile young musical groups. Originally from Winnipeg, this now Toronto-based quartet is renowned for their mastery of both traditional Métis and Native old-style fiddle music. Their debut CD won two 2008 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for Best Fiddle and Best Instrumental. In addition, crowd favourite Marg Raynor will return with her popular hand-drum and guitar performances.

Métis Day Bo'jou Neejee includes many activities and exhibits that share and showcase Métis culture. Rug hooking, moccassin making, and historic tailoring will be presented, as well as displays of taxidermy and traditional tobacco usage. Finger weaving, a traditional skill used to create the famous Métis ceinture fléchée, will be demonstrated. Other exhibits include the traditional Métis Michif language, commercial fishing, and natural foodstuffs and spices. Charlie Fife, who traces the Métis origin of his family name back to the 1600's, returns with his exhibit of hand-crafted ceremonial drums and shakers, horn and bone jewellery, and beaded buckskins.

Throughout the day, visitors will experience new interactive activities. Nathalie Bertin is a visual artist whose work has been described as both luminescent and energetic. Bertin will be hosting casual "hands-on" drawing instruction using various media. Anne Marie Bourgeois, also a visual artist, will provide morning instruction regarding the collection of natural materials for art, and plans to produce a vivid mural in the afternoon with visitor participation. Other hands-on activities at the event will include beadwork and candlemaking. Enjoy the horse-and-wagon ride to all the activities including food services at the north end of the historic site.

The dynamic Métis Day Bo'jou Neejee event is at Discovery Harbour on Saturday, August 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further information please call (705) 549-8064.
Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism

High-resolution photos are available upon request via the contact below.

-30-

Media Contact:

Bill Brodeur
Coordinator,
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
(705) 528-7692
Email: Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca

May 4, 2009

Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour Open for 2009

Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Penetanguishene’s Discovery Harbour are looking forward to a strong tourism season and offering a great menu of programs and special events. Jan Gray, General Manager of Huronia Historical Parks, is enthusiastic about 2009 for Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour. “We hope to build on last year’s 8% overall growth in public attendance with more families staying closer to home and travelling throughout Ontario. Gas prices have dropped since last summer, we haven’t increased our already competitive admission prices, our student and group bookings are higher than this time last year, and you can’t beat Southern Georgian Bay in the summer”, she noted.

New this season, both sites will be introducing Audio Tour Wands available to the public in 12 languages at Sainte-Marie and 3 languages at Discovery Harbour. For a modest additional charge of only $3.00, this exciting new feature provides an “on-demand” tour complete with special sound effects, creating an enhanced level of customer service for all visitors. Last year, Sainte-Marie welcomed visitors from over 70 countries; the new Audio Tour Wands will greatly improve the site’s story telling to these international visitors.

Traditional summer activities at Sainte-Marie will include 17th century firestarting, historic clothing demonstrations, native games and storytelling, and 17th century cooking. On selected days, a new canoe-repair demonstration using pine pitch will be added. Sainte-Marie will re-introduce heritage livestock into its summer program, featuring “Canadienne” cattle from a breeder in Sundridge, Ontario. Considered more Canadian than maple syrup, the Canadienne breed is believed to be descended from a few hundred cows brought over from Normandy and Britanny in the 17th century, and was subsequently bred in Quebec to become a resilient herd. The breed declined as a milk producer and today there are only about 500 Canadienne cows left in North America. Distinctive and rare Houdan chickens will also be on site, a breed well suited to the Canadian climate.

Throughout July and August, Discovery Harbour will have a new daily croquet activity, on-deck activities aboard the historic ships H.M.S. Tecumseth and Bee, dockyard demonstrations, sailor’s ropework, and 19th century cooking. The recently restored original Officers’ Quarters will also be open to the public.

Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour have a great line-up of special events for 2009, beginning with the colourful Aboriginal Festival Weekend on June 13-14 and National Aboriginal Day June 21 at Sainte-Marie. The dynamic Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee event at Discovery Harbour returns on August 8, and the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre offers its annual POW WOW in Sainte-Marie Park on September 12-13. The Fall season sees the return of Sainte-Marie’s popular Thanksgiving Harvest Festival and Arts and Crafts Show and Sale on October 10-11, and the introduction of a new Hallowe’en Event at Discovery Harbour October 28 and 29, guaranteed to be both spooky and fun! Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sainte-Marie’s magical “First Light” Christmas event will take place evenings November 26-27-28 amidst the magical glow of over 2,000 candles. “First Light” has been recognized as one of the “Top 100” Events in Ontario for 2009 by Festivals and Events Ontario.

Consistent with the Ontario Government’s Accessibility Standards for Customer Service for Ontarians with Disabilities which will come into effect for public sector organizations in 2010, Huronia Historical Parks has provided Accessible Service Excellence training for all of its staff, and has introduced many service upgrades at both historic sites, including a motorized scooter at Sainte-Marie, free access for support persons, and closed captioning on AV presentations. More are planned for the future. In addition, numerous green initiatives have been implemented in an ongoing effort towards operating both Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour as eco-friendly and sustainable “green” tourism attractions. This includes modern technologies to save water and electricity, minimization of waste on the historic sites through aggressive recycling and re-use of materials, elimination of pesticide and herbicide use, and other green measures. Staff will be planting hundreds of trees early this season as well.

Huronia Historical Parks recently received the “President’s Award” from the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce recognizing its vital role in supporting a healthy tourism economy and attracting positive interest for the entire region.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is open to the public weekdays April 27 to May 15, seven days per week May 16 to October 11, and weekdays October 12 to October 30. Discovery Harbour is open weekdays May 19 to June 26, and seven days per week beginning June 27 to September 6. For information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.hhp.on.ca

July 24, 2008

Celebrate Métis Culture at Discovery Harbour

Penetanguishene’s Discovery Harbour will celebrate the dynamic heritage and culture of the Métis people with its third annual Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee Event on Saturday, August 9.

The Métis people have a strong connection to Discovery Harbour since they were part of the military migration from Drummond Island to the original Penetanguishene base in 1828 when the boundaries between Canada and the United States were established.

Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee offers a fascinating collection of activities, exhibits, and demonstrations that showcase Métis culture and its connection to the Penetanguishene area. Visitors can see heritage food demonstrations including traditional bannock making and preparation of fish and soup over an open fire. Lively music is also a big part of the event, with toe-tapping fiddling, guitar, and hand-drumming performances from various Métis musicians. Charlie Fife will perform Métis folk songs, original compositions, and play guitar as well as his hand-carved cedar flute. Mr. Fife will also exhibit a cultural display featuring hand-crafted ceremonial drums and shakers, horn and bone jewellery, and beaded buckskins. Fife has scripts dating back to 1802 that show his family working for the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies, and he can trace the Métis origin of his family name back to the 1600’s.

Many other Métis artisans will be featured at the event. Finger-weaving, a traditional skill used to create the famous Métis ceinture fléchée, will be demonstrated, as well as the construction of capotes (an historic voyageur coat), plus rug hooking and moccasin making. Marcel Labelle will show off his famous canoe craftsmanship with a canoe building and materials display, and a heritage exhibit from local company Métis Roots will be present. Kids will love trying their hand at candle-making and beadwork, and demonstrations of traditional bowdrill and flint & starter firemaking will occur throughout the day. The history of the Michif language, a mixture of French and Cree that was used by fur traders and voyageurs, will be presented, and the popular “Flying Canoe” puppet show returns to delight little folks and families. Some artisans will also be offering Métis goods for sale, and refreshments will be available in the event area.
Free horse-drawn wagon rides will shuttle visitors to the event area from Discovery Harbour’s main entrance.

The colourful Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee event is at Discovery Harbour on Saturday, August 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For further information please call (705) 549-8064.

Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

High-resolution photos are available upon request via the contact below.

Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator,
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
(705) 528-7692
bill.brodeur@ontario.ca

July 11, 2008

Summer Fun on Georgian Bay: Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour offer two great family events July 19-20

The weekend of July 19-20 will see two great events and summer fun for the entire family as Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons presents “Paddlefest” and Penetanguishene’s Discovery Harbour launches “Bayfield’s School of the Sailor”.
The exciting news continues with a family-friendly price on admission – attend one event, and receive 50% off adult admission to the other!

“Paddlefest” at Sainte-Marie celebrates the legacy of the canoe in Canada and includes lots of canoe-themed activities and exhibits. Traditional birch-bark canoe building and repair techniques will be showcased, as well as a lively waterway demonstration re-creating the “arrival” of a canoe from Quebec to Sainte-Marie. Children will love special crafts including mini-paddle making and painting. For outdoor enthusiasts, specialist David Nelson will present sessions on canoe day-tripping, and re-enactor David Morris will dramatically re-create the colourful explorer Etienne Brulé, complete with period costume. Traditional music and dance accentuate the event, including Native Drumming from the Christian Island Hand Drum Group, and French-Canadian folk music by local favourites La Famille Lefaive and Michel Payment. Sainte-Marie’s interpretive staff plan a great line-up of still more activities, including quill pen making, candle making, and native crafts, and the popular “Survival In The Bush” group will set up a fascinating interactive encampment.

At Discovery Harbour, the new “Bayfield’s School of the Sailor” event will give visitors an interactive and fun taste of all things Naval, with lots of “hands-on” activities and demonstrations celebrating Sailor’s skills and Britain’s 19th-century Navy. Leading the event will be the guest Tall Ship St. Lawrence II, a famous sail-training vessel hailing from Kingston. This beautiful Brigantine will be at dockside all weekend for public viewing, joining a host of other smaller historic vessels. A small-boat flotilla sailpast will occur both days, and throughout the weekend visitors can explore an authentic historic encampment set up by guest naval re-enactors. Families can also try their hand at the ancient art of sailor’s ropework via interactive demonstrations by Discovery Harbour’s costumed interpretive staff in the Seamans’ Barracks. Additional specialty Naval sessions for guest re-enactors will be scheduled over the weekend, with the public welcome to attend. Using traditional methods of conducting maritime surveys, a guest naval re-enactor will bring Henry Bayfield’s 19th-century work to life, and the use of naval flag signals will also be discussed. Lively artillery and small-arms presentations will be featured in Discovery Harbour’s Parade Square and offer an intriguing glimpse into Britain’s defence tactics of the early 19th-century.

“Paddlefest” at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and “Bayfield’s School of the Sailor” at Discovery Harbour run Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20. Attend one event at regular admission, and receive 50% off adult admission to the other! For information call (705) 526-7838.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour are operated by
Huronia Historical Parks, and are Attractions of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator,
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks (705) 528-7692 Email: Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca

June 27, 2008

Discovery Harbour Celebrates Re-opening of Officers’ Quarters

Discovery Harbour in historic Penetanguishene announces the Grand Re-opening of its 19th-century Officers’ Quarters with a Special Event and Ceremony on Saturday, July 5.

The splendid Georgian Officers’ Quarters, located at the north end of the historic site, was originally built by the British Military in 1836, and served as a home to military personnel stationed at the base to 1856. It was first opened to the public in 1954, but over the years suffered deterioration as it aged. A recent multi-year preservation and restoration project has now reached completion and this beautiful furnished heritage building will now be re-opened to the public.

Special Guest The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who grew up in the Midland-Penetanguishene area, will grace the opening ceremonies scheduled for 2 p.m. Free admission to Discovery Harbour will be offered to the public all day. Visitors are asked to use the main (south) entrance to the historic site; a horse-drawn wagon will provide fun rides to the Officers’ Quarters at the north end of the property.

A terrific array of activities will also accompany this special celebration. Inspiring music will be provided by the Midland Pipes and Drums and other guest performers. The crack of cannon drill and musket fire will fill the air as The Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada re-enactment group demonstrates 19th-century military tactics of the British Redcoat. A fascinating early 1800’s field tent for military officers will be on display by Peter Twist, renowned historical consultant. The modern Grey and Simcoe Foresters Militia group, which has historical connection to Officers’ Quarters, will perform battle tactics specific to their unit and display a modern Officers’ field tent, and children will have a blast exploring their “Kiddie Commando” obstacle course. Face-painting for children and free refreshments will round out what promises to be a wonderful day of heritage celebration.

The Grand Re-opening of Discovery Harbour’s original Officers’ Quarters is on Saturday, July 5, with official ceremonies beginning at 2 p.m. Admission to the event and to Discovery Harbour on July 5 is free. For information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.discoveryharbour.on.ca

Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

Media Contact:

Bill Brodeur
Coordinator
Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
Direct Line: (705) 528-7692
Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca

June 3, 2008

CELEBRATING TOURISM WEEK WITH FUN, FUN, FUN

McGuinty Government Making Summer Fun More Affordable For Families

The Ontario government is providing more than 1.4 million elementary school children with a 2008 Fun Pass this month.

The pass is valid from July 1 to September 1 and provides one free child’s admission (14 and under) with one paid adult or senior’s admission to participating attractions and includes a discount on the daily parking permit at Ontario Parks.

The launch of the 2008 Fun Pass is part of National Tourism Week, June 2-8. The theme of the week is Potential Worth Exploring.

QUOTES

“Tourism Week and the Fun Pass give Ontario an excellent opportunity to celebrate the significant contributions that tourism makes to our economy and quality of life,” said Ontario Minister of Tourism Peter Fonseca. “The Fun Pass gives families many affordable ways to enjoy our provincial attractions and stimulates the growth of our tourism industry.”

QUICK FACTS

• Based on data from Statistics Canada, it is estimated that tourism is a $22.8 billion industry in Ontario.
• Tourism contributes more to our economy in terms of GDP than agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing and hunting and mining industries combined.
• Ontario draws more than 100 million tourists a year.
• The tourism industry is Ontario’s single largest youth and seasonal employer.

LEARN MORE

Participating attractions include: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Discovery Harbour, Ontario Place, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, Science North, Fort William Historical Park, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Conservatory, Old Fort Erie, Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Fulford Place, Homewood Museum, Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre and Barnum House.

Discover more fun summer activities across Ontario at www.ontariotravel.net.

If you would like additional information on the Fun Pass, please call 416-314-1425 or send an email to funpass@ontario.ca

May 7, 2008

Exciting year planned at Sainte-Marie and Discovery Harbour

Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Penetanguishene’s Discovery Harbour open this month to the public, offering an exciting series of programs, special events, and exhibits for the 2008 season.

Spring is well underway at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, with hundreds of school children exploring the 17th-century by enjoying curriculum-related educational programs which began April 14. Jan Gray, General Manager of Huronia Historical Parks notes that the full re-build of Sainte-Marie’s Chapel, Blacksmith and Carpenter shops from a site fire in 2006 is now complete, and these restored heritage buildings will once again bring history alive with the sights and sounds of music, hammer, forge, and 17th century carpentry. New visiting exhibits in July and August will include “Seeds in Disguise” and “Great Women of French Ontario”. The recently installed Huron Carol Gallery in the Sainte-Marie museum will continue to be a visitor favourite.

Sainte-Marie also plans some great special events, beginning with the colourful Aboriginal Festival Weekend on June 14-15 and National Aboriginal Day June 21. Paddlefest (July 19-20) will celebrate the rich heritage of the canoe in shaping Canada’s history, and will features lots of hands-on exhibits for the entire family. The Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre offers a dynamic POW WOW in Sainte-Marie Park on September 6-7, and returning to Sainte-Marie October 11-12 will be the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival and Arts and Crafts Show and Sale with over 40 outstanding artisans. The spectacular “First Light” Christmas event will illuminate Sainte-Marie with the magical glow of over 2,000 candles over the evenings of December 4-5-6.

Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene also launches a terrific season. Throughout the spring, numerous visiting school groups will get a taste of the 19th century and Britain’s Royal Navy in dynamic education programs offered at the historic site. Jan Gray is thrilled to announce the re-opening of the original 1836 Officers’ Quarters located at the north end of the historic properties. After seven years of restoration, the re-opening of this magnificent Georgian building will be celebrated with a special ceremony and event on July 5, and everyone is invited! New for 2008, Naval Re-enactors will present “Bayfield’s School of the Sailor” on July 19-20. This fun and lively event will feature seamanship demonstrations, heritage small boats, and more. Over the same weekend, visiting Tall Ship St. Lawrence II will join Discovery Harbour’s historic vessels H.M.S. Tecumseth and Bee at dockside for public viewing. The popular Métis Day Bo’jou Neejee event returns for its third year August 9, celebrating the culture and heritage of the Métis people and their historical connection to Discovery Harbour. A new visiting exhibit entitled Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada (July 2 to August 29) will be on loan from the Archives of Ontario, and a second display developed by Discovery Harbour staff will focus on John Graves Simcoe.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is open to the public weekdays to May 16, and seven days per week beginning May 17. Discovery Harbour is open weekdays May 20 to June 27, and seven days per week beginning June 28. For information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.hhp.on.ca

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour are operated by
Huronia Historical Parks, and are Attractions of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

High resolution photography is available for Media use; please see contact below.

Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator of Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
Direct Line: (705) 528-7692