Media Advisory and Photo-opportunity - Annual Toronto Officers' Garrison Ball to kick-off War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations

War of 1812 helped shape our nation and began 200 years of friendship between Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom

TORONTO, Jan. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - On January 28, 2012, 1812 will meet 2012 at the Annual Toronto Officers Garrison Ball. This year the Ball commemorates and kicks off the official bicentennial of the battles and events which helped shaped a nation.

This premier social event of the year for the military community in Toronto is hosted in 2012 by the Queen's York Rangers who established Fort York in 1793 under the command of John Graves Simcoe and who later became the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. The Fort York National Historic Site is the birthplace of urban Toronto and is best known as the location where the Battle of York came to its violent climax in 1813. The Fort served as the city's primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s, and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s.

"We're honoured that The Garrison Ball hosted by Toronto's Queen's York Rangers will be the inaugural military event ushering in many commemorations and activities surrounding the bicentennial of the War of 1812" said Darrell Bricker, Honorary Colonel of the Queen's York Rangers (1^st American Regiment).

"With the Honorable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, as the patron for this spectacular evening of colour and commemoration themed in the 1812 period, the 800 guests will be joined by dignitaries from the United States, United Kingdom and all levels of government as Toronto's  Mayor Rob Ford proclaims January 28 'Queen's York Ranger's Day' in the City of Toronto" he said.

Queen's York Rangers: http://qyrang.ca/

Toronto has proclaimed Saturday January 28, 1812 Day.  And, in recognition of this historic occasion, Toronto's CN Tower will also be illuminated by the Regimental colours of the Queen's York Rangers.

BACKGROUND: The sold out formal evening is themed in the historical touches of 1812 complete with animated period actors, pipes and drums, military band and dignitaries that include high ranking representatives of the United States of America and the United Kingdom along with senior representatives of the national, provincial and local governments.

The patron of the evening is the Honorable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.  Ontario's Lieutenant Governor also serves as the Colonel of the Regiment for the Queen's York Rangers.

The charity designated for the event is WoundedWarriors.ca.

The Regiments and members of other services attending include:

The Royal Canadian Navy
		HMCS York
Canadian Army
		The Governor General's Horse Guards The Ontario Regiment The Queen's York Rangers The 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery 56 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery 32 Combat Engineer Regiment The Queen's Own Rifles Royal Regiment of Canada The Grey and Simcoe Foresters The Lorne Scots The 48th Highlanders of Canada The Toronto Scottish Regiment 32 Service Battalion 32 Intelligence Company 25 Field Ambulance Land Force Central Area Headquarters 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
The Royal Canadian Air Force
Military Personnel Command
The Royal Military College
The Canadian Forces College

WHEN:  JANUARY 28, 2012; RECEPTION AT 17:30, DINNER AT 19:00

WHERE: In close proximity to where the actual battle took place, the sumptuous Liberty Grand at Exhibition Place (25 British Columbia Rd ) will host 800 officers and their guests. Attendees will enjoy a formal dinner menu inspired by 1812 cuisine, dancing, a silent auction, museum items and other historical elements.

 

 

Media contacts:  Victoria Ollers, [email protected], 416-822-2288 or Paul Tyler -[email protected], 416-254-0698