Cannon fire starts Fall Rendezvous off with a bang

Groups of Sault Grade 7 and 8 students have taken a look at the history of Sault Ste. Marie through examining artifacts and listening to the stories of historical re-enactors at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site Wednesday through Friday of this week.

The site’s cannon, manned by trained volunteers, has been firing every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., then again at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. with a brief educational speech and demonstration. 

The activities are part of the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site’s annual Fall Rendezvous.

Admission is by donation.

School children on Friday toured the interior and exterior of the historic site, enjoyed the boom of the cannon, looked at fur pelts, took part in a mock War of 1812 militia drill, learned about the importance of that war and the fur trade, learned about Indigenous drumming and plants as well as examining the roles and responsibilities of women in the 19th century.

Fall Rendezvous continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the same attractions for all ages and will include the BeaverTails food trailer from 11 a.m to 3 p.m., the Algoma Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thinking Rock Community Arts from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., maple syrup tasting with Hogan’s Homestead from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. and the Franco-Ontario Festival.

The activities at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site on Friday also marked the official start of Ontario Culture Days in the Sault and across the province.

Ontario Culture Days is an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage, beginning Friday and running until Oct. 15.

Nearly 100 participating municipalities across Ontario will host over 1,000 free events over the three week period.

Cultural Family Fun Day will be held in the Sault on Friday, Sept. 29 beginning at 10 a.m.

Festivities of that day will be kicked off by Sault MPP Ross Romano, Ward 1 City Councillor Sandra Hollingsworth and Sault Ste. Marie Public Library CEO Matthew MacDonald at the front door of the James L McIntyre Centennial Library at 50 East St.

Cultural Family Fun Day, with activities for children inside and outside the library, is part of many Ontario Culture Days activities planned for the Sault.

A list of activities can be found on the Sault Ste. Marie Cultural Hub website.