Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:

What: Battle of Black Creek - Revolutionary War Re-enactment
When: Saturday June 18, 2011
Time: 11AM - The Village opens - the main battle is at 3:00 PM - skirmishing begins at 1:00 PM
Where: Black Creek Village - In front of entrance building (outside)
Bring: Cameras and gear, wide angles to short telephotos up to 300 mm are probably good, a mono-pod may be better then a tripod due to crowds and a need to be mobile
Cost: Village entry is $15, parking is $7

This is a replacement for the cancelled Civil War event. This event is at Toronto's own Black Creek Pioneer Village, and some 200 reenactors are expected. The reenactment will include both the political discord of the day as loyalist and patriot civilians clash, followed by small skirmishes between British and American forces in the streets of the town and a final battle.

There is a rib BBQ for the event, a snack bar and the restaurant for food, but it may be wise to bring snacks and water as lineups may be long.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto (one block east of Jane St., south off Steeles Avenue, right next to York University). The village is TTC accessible. TTC From the Finch subway station using the Steeles 60 West route, or from the Jane Station using the Jane 35 route. Visit www.ttc.ca

Can't make it on Saturday but I will definitely catch this on Sunday.

I was at the stoney creek reenactment on the weekend and the actual reenactment took place in a large field. 400mm on FF wouldn't be enough for good shots of the cannons. the black creek affair will take place at much closer quarters so we can lots of shots with pioneer buildings for backdrops. also, my shorter 70-200 on a crop will be great. If the weather is nice, I'm in.

i won't be staying for food afterward. the event pavillion has reasonably priced coffee and a covered seating area. also, for those not familiar with the place, car parking is very close to the entrance so we don't have to carry around litres of water with food all day. i just leave it in a cooler in the car.

I went to the Black Creek reenactment a few years ago, and the battle was in a field (to the left of the visitor's centre as you walk in), not in the village itself, so no pioneer buildings in the background. You weren't that close to the action - probably safer that way. The encampment was set up in the village though.


http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view ... 1d224b0f78

I would like to go again this year, but I am busy both days of that weekend.

That makes it a nogo for me. thanks for the info. I was hoping they could set up the lines in the town square at least. After all, they don't shoot any projectiles.

It could have changed. Perhaps it would be worth checking Flickr for more recent battle photos.

no go for me too -- I was planning a visit on June 26th.

Despite the battle being only a week and a bit away there are no details posted on the Black Creek web site yet (that I can find - please prove me wrong).

The 2010 event included small skirmishes being reenacted in the street of the village and the main battle being staged at the Schmidt-Dalziel Century Farm which is past the Mill on the other side of Jane and Steeles and in the part of the village not normally open to the public (I've been over on escorted tours).

I don't know if the same plan will apply to this year.

DG

Hopefully we will have nice weather. Depending on the turn out for this one I might set up for the 1812 Reenactment at Backus in September.

I went to there a couple of years ago and then it included a first mini battle fought around the Backus Mill and the bridge that included field artillery. Both US and British camps are in the main pioneer village. The main battle was staged on a field outside the village and included a three horse cavalry and artillery on both sides.

DG

back and forth. i was at that farm when they had open house last year (i forget why they were open). that might be interesting. and i like the skirmish idea. i don't know if they will be allowed to discharge their muskets in the village itself as a foot of flame and lots of smoke may scare the animals. or small children (haha). and i looked around the web-site but found nothing. a little more info is available at:
http://www.muchmormagazine.com/2009/06/ ... r-village/

FYI:

I work for the Toronto Public Library.... all branches give out a limited number of FREE passes to different landmarks around the city. Black Creek Pioneer village just happens to be one of them.

Each pass for BCPV admits 2 adults (+2 children) so for those considering this, it can save you the admission fee.... and you can treat me to a coffee when I come down to an event instead - double-double w/ milk please and thank you

More info: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/museum-arts-passes/

I am going to be there for a special meeting of SPOOM on Sept 10th.

Details are now posted!!!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the Revolutionary War Military Encampments

All Day Throughout the Village!
Walk through the various camps to see how soldiers lived. Feel free to ask questions.


The Conflict Begins

1:00 p.m. Halfway House Inn porch
Watch as soldiers and civilians clash in skirmishes along Queen Street as tensions between the opposing forces mount!


Let the BATTLE Commence!

3:00 p.m. The Schmidt-Dalziel Century Farm
Watch as 200 soldiers fire their muskets and demonstrate a full scale battle on - Entrance to Farm Property from Mill, approx. 5min. walk on uneven gravel terrain.


1860s VILLAGE ACTIVITIES
Field to Firkin - Brewery Tour

12:30, 1:45 & 3:45 - Half Way House Porch
Meet the Brew Master, try some samples and enjoy a lively tour through the historic brewery and Mill.

DG

At Backus I shot with a 70-200 and a 300 most of the day on a D300 and they were good choices. I used wide lenses in the camp and buildings sometimes, but the 70-200 was good for those areas as well. Having a 1.4 would give you a little extra reach when you need it.

I used a monopod for mobility and because you do have to work within the crowds and legs of a tripod will just get kicked and bumped and p**s off others.

By the way tripods are NOT allowed inside the buildings at Black Creek. They seem to be OK if you really want to bring one for outside shooting.

DG

Wow, not one person (other than myself) wants to do this event?

A bump just to remind everyone. Saturday is forecast to be very nice. Sign up soon.

DG

I was at Battlefield Park and will be at Black Creek as well. I'm on a schedule though and will be starting the day really early and will try to get as much shots from my to do list. I'll be skipping the after event meal as well as I need to be somewhere else.

Here's a few from Stoney Creek.

I want to do it, but I can't because of another commitment

Wish I could go as I'm a member of Black Creek, just bad timing for me.

Not sure if anyone made it. I waited at the entrance, but didn't meet anyone. Been asking some folks if they are TPMG. No luck. If anyone did come out, thanks. Sorry we didn't connect. Hope you had a good shoot.

DG

I was just inside in the air con at 11:00. I too asked a couple. No success. So i walked around and talked to several of the re-enacters. They're all very friendly and knowledgable. This battle was without cannon but held very close to the spectator rope line. Taking a much needed macdonalds break now.

+1

Met some of them again from the Stoney Creek chit chat. Added more today. It looks like it's open season for recruitment. It's surprising to know that families do this together and I have been introduced to young adults who started doing it when they were young as well. Very friendly.

Didn't see anyone with the orange TPMG tags.

Heck of a day. A bit hot, but otherwise nice. Note for future events; need to take more water. Glad to hear you made it even if we missed each other!

The camps were great and the participants more than happy to be photographed and talk with you. Did you guys catch the wedding ceremony in the square?

The battle was interesting, but short and limited in scope. Still, great opportunity for close ups of the action. Close enough to see the white of their eyes!

I should get one of those TPMG tags! They do help find the members at events.

DG

Wow, we must have just missed each other as I have a very similar image of these two gentlemen on the porch!

DG

Bert is 1/2 Mohawk. A bit shy as he looks away when I shoot. Would love to see them one day do their warhoops in full battle regalia.

Bride and Groom. Real wedding!


Solemn mood for the ceremony:

Thanks for posting this ad hoc - I couldn't get there until 1:30. It was way too hot for me. Did manage to get a few shots before I sought the comfort of overpriced apple juice
Yeah I was the guy sweating like a colonial pig



never-ending saga of senseless gang warfare near Jane & Finch by Phil Marion (a million thank you's!!), on Flickr


Mennonite churchgoers by Phil Marion (a million thank you's!!), on Flickr


frozen in time by Phil Marion (a million thank you's!!), on Flickr