First Capital Day Schedule of Events
On June 15, 1841, Kingston was named the first capital of a united Canada.
Each June 15, Kingston celebrates its unique role in history as the 'First Capital' of United Canada with interactive fun for school kids and the general public alike. Teachers are invited plan a class trip on June 15 to allow their kids to participate in the free FirstCapital Day festivities listed below. Spend the day in Springer Market Square (9:30a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), participating in a variety of interactive activities, take in awesome live entertainment in the courtyard at City Hall, then try an architectural scavenger hunt or a tour at a local museum.
Book ahead for any tours you might be interested in to ensure that your day is well planned and well timed, and that you get to participate in the activities of your choice. Dress for the weather, as displays and demos in Springer Market Square are all outdoors.
|
FIRST CAPITAL DAY SCHEDULE |
|
|---|---|
|
10 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
Quinte Mohawk Dancers, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Quinte Bay Mohawks "It is an honour to acknowledge our Iroquois Ancestral lineage and those that worked for our freedoms" The Quinte Mohawk Dancers became a group under the direction of Mrs. Lorraine Hill & Chief Earl R. Hill, in 1970. They perform social Iroquois Dances, long transcended and have danced for the Queen on three occasions. The dancers will preside over the official opening and closing ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively and will be in the square to dance and interact with classes during the festivities.(10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for ceremonies but will interact throughout the day.) |
|
11a.m. & 1p.m. |
Live Entertainment - Mike Ford Sings History! Mike Ford captivates viewers with his sheer enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge of Canada's history. Mike's lively and interactive manner engages his audience to reflect upon Canada's historical landscape while listening to shanties, ballads, marches, satirical verse and protest songs. Mike uses these musical conventions and styles to illustrate the dynamic events, political climate and personalities identified by the Canadian studies curriculum. For every theme, event or landscape, there is a song! (Courtyard in Springer Market Square) |
|
Every hour on the half hour |
Sutler Cyrus Wakefield A First Capital favourite, Sutler Cyrus will perform an old time medicine show, complete with monkey, music, magic, wit and wisdom, the likes of which you've never seen or heard before! Sutler Cyrus will be stationed at Springer Market Square and shows will be scheduled every hour on the half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (Approx. 25 min. shows). In between shows, you are welcome to chat with Cyrus and purchase his candy 'cure alls' and other souvenirs! |
|
9:30 - 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
Hear the Anvil Ring! Blacksmith Robert Vaughn from the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum will demonstrate the fascinating components of an old time blacksmith shop, from the roaring bellows and fire to the special vice used in the smithy. Special thanks to the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum for allowing Robert to celebrate with us! |
|
9:30 - 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
Rope Making We welcome back our rope maker Don Green, who has attended First Capital Day in past years, demonstrating the art of rope making. He uses equipment from the early 1900's. He will have an interactive demo for the kids. You will find information about the history of rope making and different materials that rope is made with. |
|
9:30 - 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
Weavers and Spinners The Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Guild will have volunteers on hand to demonstrate their craft to the kids. Spectators will be fascinated to watch the steps that spin and weave shorn wool into a beautiful shawl or blanket. |
|
9:30 to 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
Historical Re-enactors The Fort Henry Guard and historical re-enactors from Fort Wellington and Bellevue House will be on hand to interact with visitors. |
|
9:30 to 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
The Historic Costume Display Members of the Historic Costume Club will engage students with displays of the clothes of yesteryear! There'll be a story board, various outfits on display, a brief 'show and tell' and a chance for the younger kids to put 19th century outfits on oversized paper dolls. |
|
9:30 to 2:30 p.m. |
Woodworking and Steam Demonstrations Enjoy historic demonstrations by staff from the City's MacLachlan Woodworking Museum and Pump House Steam Museums. |
|
10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. (on the half hour) |
First Capital Wagon Rides A very popular activity, kids can tour the Old KingsTown on a White's Rides hay wagon and see some of the First Capital-era buildings and heritage sites. There is a wagon available for the general public, and tours will be leaving Market Street on the half hour between 10 a.m. and. 1:30 p.m. For school groups, wagon rides are booked on a first come, first served basis, so, book early to avoid disappointment. No charge for wagon rides. Reserve a wagon ride in advance by emailing Lyndsay Jensen at ljensen@cityofkingston.ca or calling 613-546-4291, ext. 1708. Note: The availability of wagon tours in French will depend on the availability of bilingual tour guides. We will do our best! |
|
All day |
City Hall Tours Kingston's City Hall is a heritage site of architectural and historical significance. Visitors will view the magnificent stained glass windows in Memorial Hall dedicated to the men and women who died in the First Great War, the 1844 horseshoe-shaped council table in the beautiful Tuscan style council chamber, two large halls displaying splendid original ornately-decorated ceilings, superb woodworking on the stairways done by 19th century shipwrights and the 1844 jail cells show 19th century jail conditions. Tour runs approx. 30 minutes. No charge for tours anytime but you must reserve 2 weeks in advance. Due to the number of children in the building, self guided class tours will not be allowed on June 15. 546-4291 ext. 1520. |
