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 Confederation Park (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.
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First Capital Day Schedule of Events |
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9:30 a.m. |
Official Opening Paul Carl, Aboriginal Community Member |
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9:35 a.m. |
Official Opening by Chris Whyman (Kingston's Town Crier) welcoming everyone to First Capital Day |
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10:00 - 11:00 a.m. |
Hi Rock Singers and Men's traditional dance performed by Bernard Nelson (main stage) |
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10:00 a.m. |
In Sir John A.'s Footsteps: A Kingston Walking Tour As featured in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and other leading newspapers, and recorded by former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin and hockey-broadcasting legend Don Cherry, please join Sir John A. Macdonald walking tour author and public historian Arthur Milnes as he personally guides the well known and regarded Sir John A-themed walking tour. Donations to the Sir John A. Macdonald Bicentennial Commission would be greatly appreciated. |
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10:30 a.m. and |
Gopher Baroque Award winning, Kingston based group has offered their unique performances for twenty years. Entertaining all ages from main stage at the festival to intimate coffee houses, these performers are known for their original, historic, Canadian/North American folk music. From the humorous to the thought provoking, Gopher Baroque is always entertaining and unique. All of our shows feature harmony and instrumentation. Gopher Baroque also designs and presents Living History and Re-enactment roles for schools, museums, festivals, period events and private celebrations What a proud bunch! Gopher Baroque are honoured to have a North American Folk Alliance award for education through folk music. |
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11:00 a.m. and |
Sugar Island Singers and Dancers of the Mississauga Ojibway of Alderville First Nation-Rice Lake Men's Traditional Style - typically symbolizes hunting-chase and honour of the hunted and the act as well as warriors in battle Fancy Shawl-Butterfly Style - symbolizes the cocoon and chrysalis and metamorphosis to butterfly in flight Grass Dance Style - reflective of one of the oldest dance styles - of flowing prairie grasses. This dance is also a medicine dance as the dancers would dance down the grass and pray for the earth and following dances...in our accompaniment |
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12:00 p.m. |
Welcome to First Capital Day - Deputy Mayor Kevin George |
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12:05 p.m. |
A First Capital Day Poem - Poet Laureate, Eric Folsom |
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12:10 p.m. |
Cheque Presentation by SIFE St. Lawrence College. In support of the restoration of Engine 1095 (Spirit of Sir John A) |
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Ongoing Activities And Displays |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Rideau Roundtable Voyageur Canoe Rides (prebooked) |
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10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. |
First Capital Day Wagon Rides (prebooked) |
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9:30 a.m. |
Sutler Syrus Wakefield - Old Time Medicine Show 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! Be sure to pack along a shilling or two because you can purchase his powerful (candy) potions, guaranteed to cure all that ails you, as well as other historically themed merchandise! Sutler Cyrus performances will be scheduled every hour on the half hour beginning at 9:30 am until 1:30 pm (approx. 25 minutes shows). In between shows, you are welcome to chat with Cyrus and purchase his candy 'cure alls' and other souvenirs! |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Kingston Handloom Spinners and Weavers |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Rory McKay, Blacksmith |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Fort Henry Guard Fort Henry Guard will be on site in the park, and will put the students through their paces in the Fort Henry Guard "Military Muster Parade". Students will enjoy learning the 'rules' of military life, trying out some of the uniforms and learning to do drill. |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Pump House Steam Museum and MacLachlan Woodworking Museum Will be on site to teach about life in the past. Focusing on family fun, adults and children alike can try their hand at woodworking as well as learning about the importance of the timber industry in the uniting of Upper and Lower Canada. An all time favourite, the Pump House Steam Museum will have their train set on site. Learn about Sir John A MacDonald and his dream of a Trans-Canadian Railway! |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Historic Costume Club of Kingston Members of the Historic Costume Club of Kingston will engage students with displays of the clothes of yesteryear! Hoop skirts, top hats and corsets may be some of the curious items you'll see. There'll be a story board, various outfits on display, a brief 'show and tell' and a chance for the younger students to put 19th century outfits on oversize paper dolls. Bring a camera and they can get their pictures taken with one of the 'real' people in period costume or a mannequin in full 19th century attire. |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Great Lakes Sutlery In early North America, temporary stores or Sutleries were located close to soldier's camps. When the soldiers marched to a different location, the sutlers followed. These merchants could sell anything except items supplied free to the troops. Great Lakes Sutlery is period appropriate and sets-up under a canvas tent where you will find a display of Victorian jewellery, Historic Games for interactive play, toys, dolls and an interesting array of merchandise (so bring some pocket change). |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Bellevue House |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Museum of Health Care at Kingston The Museum of Health Care's interactive booth will feature a hands-on display of medical artifacts and a skill-testing Kingston medical history quiz. Pop by for a chance to test out your reflexes using a reflex hammer, listen to your heart beating using a stethoscope, handle some real human bones, and learn some amazing facts about the history of health care in Kingston! |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Dr. Greg Baran, Surgeon Find out what medical care was like in the 1840's. What type of diseases were treated and how a doctor would have treated a patient. |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Cataraqui Archeological Research Foundation Visit the Kingston Archaeological Centre's display to hold a piece of history! Archaeological Staff from the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation will be on site with artifacts from the 19th Century, when Kingston became the capital of the Province of Canada. Students will learn about what life was like in the growing city through archaeology and can try out our excavation kit to dig for artifacts themselves! |
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9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (ongoing) |
Fort Wellington Guard Come see a detachment of veterans from Fort Wellington (Prescott). Interact with members of the historic Royal Canadian Rifle regiment, the unit which garrisoned Fort Henry when Kingston was the capital. Visit their encampment, try on a soldier's pack, and wear the uniform of the Queen's Army. Watch by the waterfront for demonstrations of the Brunswick Rifle, used by the soldiers. |
