Ultimate vacation destination
The Great Canadian Rendezvous (GCR) happening July 9th to 18th at Fort William Historical Park (FWHP) is an exciting, ten-day jammed-packed extravaganza, a terrific bargain unmatched anywhere for a recreational family vacation.
Concerts, camping, cultural heritage events, and family fun will combine to make the GCR an exciting tourism destination event in Northern Ontario. Add waterfront canoe rentals and evening children’s programming to the mix and you have the ultimate “stay-cation” package for the whole family.
Campers will enjoy the amphitheatre’s many amenities including wide-open spaces, full service support and an excellent view of the concert stage, framed by the Kaministiquia River and
its surroundings.
There is plenty of room for RVs, trailers and tents, with over 400 good-sized campsites. There are rates for “no power” and “full power” options, plus other amenities including hot showers, toilets, firewood and campfire rings.
Another appealing facet of the Great Canadian Rendezvous is the admission packages. By day, a single pass is $10.00 and $25.00 for all ten days. By evening, there are $5.00 and $10.00 concert passes. Overnight packages start from $40.00. There are also evening children’s programs and waterfront canoe rentals.
The event kicks off with Anishnawbe Keeshigun (Saturday, July 10th and Sunday July 11th) featuring traditional First Nations dancing, drumming and singing and an evening of aboriginal rock with the Ira Johnson Band.
Brian Milanowski, a triple-threat magician-comedian-stuntman from Chicago fronts the Family Fun Fest, Sunday July 11th. Folk at the Fort takes centre stage Monday July 12th featuring The Wailin’ Jennys and Shy-Anne. Tuesday, July 13th is Jazz on the Kam, with Mood Indigo and Mark Potvin’s Little Swing Band.
Wednesday, July 14th, it’s Classic Rock with The Stampeders and David Wilcox, with guests The Rock-a-delics and Money Honey. The ever-popular Trooper headlines The Great Canadian Backyard BBQ Thursday July 15th, along with The Goods, and Cheap ‘N Easy, and mouth-watering servings from the grille.
Blue Wolf headlines the Bluegrass Jamboree Friday July 16th, along with Gibson, Martin and I, and Shades of Grey. Saturday July 17th is Celtic Colours,featuring the popular group, Leahy.
The festival concludes with The Fort under Siege, Sunday July 18th, replete with scarlet-clad mercenaries, a tense open-air ‘trial’ and dramatic confrontations.
Visitors will also meet fur trade re-enactors from the U.S. and Canada who gather for the traditional annual rendezvous celebrations. The re-enactors add colour to the Fort with their camps set up around the palisade. They also get involved in a variety of activities throughout the event.
Fort General Manager Sergio Buonocore says that the festival is designed with a broader view in mind. “The goal of the Great Canadian Rendezvous is to create a substantial destination vacation package with significant program density, which can evolve into an umbrella promotional brand that not only promotes Fort William Historical Park, but will also highlight other festivals and attractions in both Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario,” he says.
Essentially, the festival can act as a hub offering multiple experiences as a major draw. With their camp at the amphitheatre as their “base,” the family can enjoy not only the Fort but they can also head off to take in the Bluesfest, the Da Vinci Centre’s Thunderfest, and other festivals and attractions in the city,
he says. It promises to be the ultimate one-stop vacation adventure.
Check out the Great Canadian Rendezvous, July 9th to 18th at Fort William Historical Park. Visit our website: www.fwhp.ca.
