The arrival of spring and Queen Victoria’s birthday were both reasons to celebrate in Canadian communities in the 1860’s. The Queen’s Birthday was widely recognized as an important national holiday by the 1860’s. The Queen’s Birthday presented a chance to get outdoors after a long winter and to celebrate the blessings of monarchy. Traditionally, the Queen’s Birthday was an appropriate time for the regular military and sedentary militia (non-uniformed civilian men of the local area) to muster, patriotic speeches, parades, and sporting and athletic demonstrations.

Queen Victoria was born May 24, 1819. On June 20, 1837, at the age of 18, she became the Queen of Britain. She ruled from 1837 to 1901. Queen Victoria and Albert were married in 1840. The royal couple had 9 children. The Royal Family was very popular, influencing both traditions and fashions in Canada.

Schedule of events:

Get ready to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday in grand style at Upper Canada Village. Sing along to the classic anthem “God Save the Queen” and be captivated by historical patriotic speeches that will transport you back in time. You’ll see grand military manoeuvres’, lace up for the 1860s athletic games, watch the Village’s “Queen” in action (a hand-pumped fire engine), and enjoy refreshments.

10am – 4pm (Village Streets)

• Militia Patrols

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10:30am – 12pm (Near Robertson House)

• Firemen’s Recruitment Table

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12:30pm – 1pm (Near Bakery)

• Sedentary Militia Muster and Inspection

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1:30pm – 1:45pm (Cook’s Tavern Veranda)
Patriotic Ceremony:

• God Save the Queen
• Speeches and Recitations
• Tableau (Young Interpreters)
• Three Cheers
• Feu de joie

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1:45pm – 2:00 pm (Fairgrounds)

• Fire Engine Trials

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2pm – 2:30pm (Fairgrounds)

• Games, Athletic Trials, Refreshments

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2:30pm – 3:30pm (Cook’s Tavern)

• Brass Band

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2:30pm – 3pm (Fairgrounds)

• Parent and Child Muster

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3pm – 3:30pm (Fairgrounds)

• Brockville Infantry Company Muster and Drill

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