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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11 a.m. & 2 p.m. |
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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10:30 a.m. |
Mike Ford Sings History! Mike Ford captivates students 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 with styles to illustrate the dynamic events, political climate and personalities identified by the Canadian studies curriculum. Mike performs a musical chronicle of the lives of settlers, voyageurs and rebels, celebrates the First Nations' experience and the early explorers, and explores Confederation and the Northwest Rebellions. |
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9:30 a.m., |
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! 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 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (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 - 2:30 p.m. ongoing |
Hear the Anvil Ring! Parks Canada Blacksmith, Don MacKay For the past 22 years, Don MacKay has used ageless techniques and works daily with period tools either in an 1843 blacksmith shop located at Jones Falls, Ontario, or on the road with an 1800's portable British military forge traveling to various cities, towns and villages throughout Eastern Ontario. The sights, sounds and smells of a blacksmith shop are recreated and will allow your students to understand the special appeal that the blacksmith shop had in days gone by. |
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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 students, and each class will take away a couple of samples of rope that they have had a hand in making. You will find information about the history of rope making and different materials that rope is made with. |
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9:30 a.m. - 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 students. Spectators will be fascinated to watch the steps that spin and weave shorn wool into a beautiful shawl or blanket. |
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All day |
Fort Henry Guard 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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All day |
Lucy Locket During your class stop at Lucy Locket, The History Resource Company, students will have the hands-on opportunity to try making fresh churned butter, as it would have been traditionally made. Using a dash churn, students will learn about the history and process of butter making from skimming to pressing. Lucy Locket, The History Resource Company offers outreach education program experiences that cultivate an appreciation for our fascinating heritage. Each regular program offered by Lucy Locket incorporates the content of the Ontario Curriculum. Our programs are delivered by a qualified teacher in historic costume. We invite you to join us and experience history! |
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All day |
Pump House Steam Museum and the 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! As well, we encourage you to check out the City of Kingston's Education and Community Engagement Brochure. Learn about all the different curriculum linked programs available at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, Pump House Steam Museum, Grand Theatre and Kingston City Hall |
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All day |
The Historic Costume Display 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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AND YOU'LL NEED TO BOOK AHEAD FOR THESE GREAT ACTIVITES |
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10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. |
Free First Capital Wagon Rides Wagon rides are available to the public at all times, but school classes will need to schedule rides ahead of time. A very popular activity, students can tour the Old Kings Town on a White's Ride horse drawn wagon and see some of the buildings and heritage sites that relate to the First Capital era. This year, we'll provide a tour guide who will point out sites of interest, and will ensure the tour is age appropriate. There are two wagons available for school classes, and one for the general public. Tours will be leaving the corner of Ontario and Brock Streets on the half hour between 10:00 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!
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All day |
Scavenger Hunt/Colouring Book Take your class on a scavenger hunt that will introduce them to the stories and secrets of the architecture surrounding City Hall. The guide provided, also doubles as a colouring book for those young enough to use it as such. Recommended for grades 3 to 6, although the Grade 7's and 8's will have fun with it as well! Books are free this year to schools, and teachers must book ahead to ensure there are enough on hand. Teachers can pick up the books at the Tourist Information Centre located in Confederation Park. Call the Tourist Information Centre to order your books in advance at 613-548-4415. |
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All day |
City Hall Tours The centre of municipal government in the City of Kingston, 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 display 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. Tours runs approximately 30 minutes.
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Schools - 9:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Public - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
Free Rideau Roundtable, Voyageur Canoe Rides Public Canoe Rides: canoe rides will be available to the public from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. (last canoe goes out at 3:30 p.m.). ALL participants must sign a waiver (supplied by the canoe operators) prior to boarding the canoe. Student Canoe Rides: Your students will love to take to the water in a Voyageur Canoe! Voyageur guides will entertain your students with a half hour ride in the canoe while teaching them a history lesson about the Rideau Waterway and the impact it had on Kingston! All safety equipment and ponchos are provided, and waivers must be completed in advance of the trip. This activity is geared towards the grade 5 and 6 curriculum, but will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Please note:
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