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News - Black Creek Pioneer Village

The second last weekend in June, the Loyalist Fifes and drums appeared at Black Creek Pioneer Village for the second time in two years. Everyone camped inside the beautiful site, despite the downpour that continued for the first half of the weekend.

There were small musical demonstrations across the weekend, as well as the classic “Battle in the Valley” which excited a large number of visitors. Everyone was happy to smile for photo opportunities and pause to answer questions.

When not performing, marching, posing or informing, the Drums animated the site with casual music practices and camp activities. Occasionally, LFD also animated the restaurant beside the Black Creek Brewery (the homemade chips there are HIGHLY recommended by the best connoisseurs).

Saturday night was the night of the second annual Cast Iron Chef competition. Though the rain was a light damper on the camp fires, it did not seem to dampen the spirits of the contestants or judges. The Drums opted out again this year, mainly because sharing our fire-baked apple crumble was out of the question. We provided an audience instead, and clapped for the new title holders. Next year?

Exhausted from jealously guarding our dessert and clapping for others, everyone retired early on Saturday night to pray the tents would hold out overnight. It’s also possible everyone retired slightly early to get in some extra anti-rain dance time. Luckily, the tents did hold out, and no one was sent searching for shelter at rainy 3am.

Sunday lived up to its name, and most members awoke to a hot breakfast, prepared by Leisha and Christine. Happy, everyone pitched in a hand to clean up the fire afterwards. Sunday was essentially what Saturday would have been, had the clouds cooperated. Tents dried, photos were taken, demonstrations were shared with a significantly larger (dry) crowd, and the weekend came to a close on a bright note.


Next up: the Drums shine their kit for Canada Day in Bath!

Dionne