Thousands to flock to Shelburne for 2008 re-enactment

The groups of up to 700 members officially announced their plans last week and have scheduled their national event of the year to take place in Shelburne. They will arrive July 16 and perform from July 18-20.

Traveling with the BAR will be a group of family, friends and followers, which may triple the amount of people coming to the county for the event.

The brigade is a historical group dedicated to recreating the soldier of the American War for Independence. “We have an opportunity in Shelburne for thousands of people to visit for this thrilling and exciting event,” said Timothy Gillespie, a member of the 2008 Loyalist Landing Society. “There has been a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in such a short amount of time by the re-enactors,” he said.

Two other re-enactment organizations have been invited, including the Continental Line and the British Brigade.

Gillespie hopes the large event will generate a positive experience for people visiting Shelburne County and that they will return or tell their friends to visit.

The BAR re-enactment will be one of three large events planned for the month of July 2008.

A July 12 waterfront festival will showcase such events as boat racing as well as displays highlighting the rich heritage that has been shaped by the third best natural harbour in the world.

The third large event in July 2008 will be Shelburne Founder’s days and, according to Loyalist Landing 2008 treasurer, Jim Mahaney it will include the largest fireworks display on the South Shore.

The costs of the year’s events beginning with the New Year’s levy totals $200,000, which is being raised through the Minister of Tourism, ticket sales, fundraising events, memorabilia, and local business.

Other support may come from municipal government and Transcontinental Media corporate sponsorship, Mahaney said.

As far as getting the word out about the BAR coming, Mahaney said, “A good product sells itself.”

Suzanne Mahaney wrote about the upcoming BAR event in the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society newsletter. “For most of us, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with such a large living piece of history. Can’t you just smell that gunpowder?”