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Other Information for Reenactors
This summer, the shortest crossing times seem to be at FORT ERIE, located on I-190 in downtown Buffalo. Most Mapquest directions send drivers across at Lewiston, which is the closest bridge to the Fort George site. HOWEVER, Lewiston has the longest waiting time of any border crossing, and the 20 miles you drive out of your way at highway speeds to get to I-190/Fort Erie will be quickly repaid. Fort Erie has 2 to 3 times as many crossing booths, and in addition, has a full time staff of veteran Customs and Immigration officers who know the rules and the law, whereas, to be frank, Lewiston sometimes has summer help who can cost you unnecessary delays due to ignorance.
All of the border crossings will be warned repeatedly about the event and reminded of the laws on flintlocks and black powder. All US particpants are reminded that they need a passport or equivalent and that most hassles experienced by reenactors are re–entering the US. We'll try to make it possible for you to burn ALL your powder…
An information letter to assist you with border crossing may be downloaded here. This letter contains a description of the event and gives a contact number for the sponsor should your officer need to have any questions answered.
Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition - an organization whose focus includes improving cross-border mobility. This site includes a wealth of information about where and how you can most easily cross the US-Canada border.
Border maps and links to information on crossing times, etc.
Canada Border Service Agency summary of the identification required
Complete listing of guides available from the Canada Border Service. Whatever your question may be, they have a publication to cover it.
Flintlocks are considered to be antiques by Canadian law, and as such are exempt from the restrictions imposed by the Firearms Act. However, your officer may not be familiar with this (they don't get them every day), so it's advisable to print a copy of their own Fact Sheet and have it with you. You can get a copy at the RCMP site; the pertinent section is the one labeled “Muzzleloaders Made After 1898.”
It may also be a good idea to register your weapon at the U.S. border to help eliminate potential issues on your return.
If you have any questions about border crossings or anything else, contact the event coordinators or Fort George.
Reenactors attending Ft George 2010 may want to know what is available in the area for food and lodging. There are literally hundreds of restaurants in the area, most of them within a ten to fifteen minute walk from the gates of the fort. In addition, many groups will want to buy groceries, wine, other spirits, or other necessities of life. Information on shopping, and on local lodging and other events, can be gained from a visit to the Niagara on the Lake Chamber of Commerce website, or by downloading the Visitor's Guide. A sketch map indicating some of the closer businesses may be downloaded here. In addition, the Niagara on the Lake Chamber of Commerce maintains an information line which is manned (or womaned) by courteous and very knowledgeable people, at (905) 468-1950. We recommend starting with the visitor's guide, which lists virtually every business in the area.
Niagara on the Lake Visitor's Guide - http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/vg2009hl.pdf
Niagara on the Lake chamber of Commerce website - http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/
In addition, the friends of Fort George are offering two meals a day—breakfast and lunch—for $10 Canadian a day. These meals will be available inside the fort. The organizers NEED to KNOW how many of us will be eating these meals—so unit commanders should get a headcount of their people eating “in the establishment” and forward that information to their army Quartermaster (for the British Brigade, Delos Wheeler; for the Continental Line, Jim Casco) ASAP.
If you have any questions, please direct them to the event organizers:
For info about Congressional forces contact Bob Balcius at or John Osinski at .
For info about Crown forces, contact Christian Cameron, .