OUR EVENTS CALENDAR
Every season brings a calendar filled with a wide variety of special events for all the family to enjoy. Harvest Fest and Haunted Village Hayrides and our magical Christmas at The Village.
FACILITY RENTAL INFO
The Village is an unforgettable setting for special events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, and more.
GET INVOLVED
The Village is a nostalgic experience for people of all ages.
Special Events 2010:
Celebrate Spring
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 9th
The Pioneer Village Cafe provides a unique setting for Mother's Day Brunch followed by a workshop (more details at a later date). Advanced reservations required.
Village Opening
Saturday, May 15th
Opening Day for the 51st season of Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Spring on the Farm
Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16
Come and meet the sheep, pigs, cows and poultry who will live at Fanshawe Pioneer Village this season. Early Canadian rare breeds are on display from Rare Breeds Canada.
Queen Victoria's Birthday Celebrations
Monday, May 24
Come and celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty, Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India. Join us for nineteenth century games, historical speeches, vintage base ball, and music all in reverence to our longest reigning monarch. Who knows? She might just make a sea voyage to the colonies to visit with her subjects in the Upper Canadian town of Fanshawe.
Vintage Base Ball game between London Tecumsehs and the Woodstock Actives at 1:00 pm.
June Jubilee
Loyalists Unite: American Revolution War Tactics
Saturday, June 5 and Sunday June 6
The Northern Brigade has invaded Fanshawe Pioneer Village! See how United Empire Loyalists fought the Americans during the War of the Revolution in 1776-7.
Community Appreciation Weekend
Saturday June 19 and Sunday, June 20
To thank the community for 51 years of continued support, we roll back the clock and offer admission to the Village at 1959 prices!
Summer in the Village
DOMINION DAY
Wednesday, July 1
On the 1st of July, 1867, Canada became a self-governing colony within the British Empire. We offer you the chance to relive the past and discover the events surrounding the first Dominion Day (now Canada Day). Historical debates, patriotic speeches, cake and lemonade and Vintage Base Ball are a few of the activities that will bring the past to life.
Vintage Base Ball Game between London Tecumsehs and London Area Dodgers at 1:00 pm.
Family Frolic
Sunday, July 4
Spend a summer afternoon dancing the steps of yester year followed by afternoon tea.
PIONEER SURVIVOR DAY CAMP - Two teams compete to become the ultimate Pioneer Survivor
July 6-9 Ages 6-8
July 20-23 Ages 6-8
July 27-30 Ages 9-12
August 10-13 Ages 6-8
August 17-20 Ages 9-12
PIONEER TREASURE HUNTERS DAY CAMP - A quest-oriented week filled with adventure and fun.
August 24-27
All Day Camps are prebooked through the London YMCA at 519-667-3300
Presented in partnership with the London YMCA
Victorian Teddy Bear Picnic
Sunday, July 11
All the bears are gathering today for a Victorian teddy bear picnic. Bring out your favourite stuffed friend for an afternoon of teddy oriented games, story telling, a parade, and afternoon tea.
LANTERN LIGHT MYSTERY TOURS
Wednesday to Friday, July 7, 8, 9 & 14, 15, 16
GOOD CITIZENS BEWARE! A play by Jason Rip
Six fiendish criminals from London's past converge on Fanshawe Pioneer Village to tell their tales of infamy and then - they ESCAPE! You will become part of a sherriff's posse who are willing to take the law into their own hands in this thrilling participatory theatre experience.
Performances at 7 and 8:30 pm
Tickets: $15 each
Advanced booking required.
Phone 519-457-1296 to reserve your tickets. Visa or Mastercard required for all phone orders.
SUMMER ON THE FARM
Saturday, July 24 and Sunday July 25
Visit the Villagers as they are hard at work in the fields and in their shops. See demonstrations of 19th century trades and farm work.
FANSHAWE FROLIC: VICTORIAN DANCE WEEKEND
Saturday, July 31 and Sunday August 1
A Grand Ball to be given by the citizens of London. Come learn the social dances of 120 years ago with Dance Mistress, Mme. Stephens onSaturday afternoon. Enjoy a country supper in the evening, followed by a 19th century ball. All dances will be easy to learn and to do. Period costumes are encourages but not required. Bring your whole family back on Sunday afternoon for a Family Frolic, more dancing and afternoon tea.
Tickets: $50 per person for the entire weekend
Advance booking is required.
Theatre Royal: Musical Theatre from 1843; "The Miller and his Men" by Isaac Pocock
Wednesday to Friday, August 4, 5, 6 and 11, 12, 13
Experience musical melodrama as it was performed by the Officers of the Garrison when London was a frontier town. An old miller's beautiful daughter is pursued by two suitors: one aging, but rich; another young but poor. To win her hand, the young man makes a secret pledge: to rid the land of the danditti, and restore the fortunes of the old miller. Little does he know but someone has darker plans for them all. Cheer the heroes! Boo the villains!
Researched and produced by Mark Tovey
Directed by Joe Lella
Performance time to be determined
Tickets: $15 each
Advance booking required.
HARVEST FEST
Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22
A Fanshawe Pioneer Village Signature Event, Harvest Fest offers something for everyone in a weekend filled with activity. Threshing, exhibits, a non-denominational church service, rare breeds displays, musical entertainment and classic cars are but a few of the many sights and sounds of Harvest Fest. Plan to stay for lunch and enjoy a Thresherman's Lunch buffet at the Pioneer Village Cafe.
Special Admission rate applies: $7 per person, children under 5 are free
Presented in partnership with Tri-County Heritage Club
Special Admission rate applies: $7 per person
"Fall" for the Village
DOORS OPEN LONDON
Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19
The Village doors are open and the admission is free for Doors Open London.
Vintage Base Ball Game between the London Tecumsehs and the Innerkip Quarriemen at 1 pm, Sunday
Presented in partnership with London Heritage Council.
THE 1812 INVASION OF UPPER CANADA
Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3
Dispatch received from the 1st (Royal Scots) Regiment, Grenadier Company: "Citizens...His Majesty's crown forces will make an aggressive attempt to reclaim the territories of Western Upper Canada. It is our intention to garrison our forces at the Village of Fanshawe and choose this ground to halt the advance of the American forces. Beware of spies in your midst." Which side do you support?
Special Admission rate applies: $7 per person
http://fanshawe1812.tripod.com
Presented with the support of the UPPER CANADA MILITARY RE-ENACTMENT SOCIETY.
SPONSORED BY: ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TOURISM
FALL ON THE FARM
Saturday, October 9, Sunday October 10 and Monday, October 11
Watch as farm families prepare for the coming winter with the harvest of the corn crop, textile arts and wood stove cooking. Reserve your Thanksgiving Dinner at the Pioneer Village Cafe.
HAUNTED VILLLAGE HAYRIDES
"The Donnelly Massacre": a play written by local playwright Jason Rip
Preview: Friday, October 15
Shows: Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17
Thursday, October 21 - Sunday, October 24
Thursday, October 28 - Friday, October 30
This year's Haunted Village Hayrides will not disappoint as the Donnelly's have been brought back from the dead to scare all that dare visit the village of Fanshawe.
Performances at 7, 8 and 9 pm on Thursday and Sunday nights and 7, 8, 9 and 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets for the preview, Friday, October 16 $8 each.
Tickets: all other evenings $10 each
Not recommmended for children under age 10.
Advance Tickets required: Call 519-457-1296
(Any unsold tickets will be available at the gate starting at 6:30 pm on the evening of the show, on a first come, first serve cash basis. A message will be put on the Village voicemail at 5 pm on the evening of the show giving ticket availability.)
A Haunting We Will Go!
Saturday, October 30 - Noon to 4:30 pm.
Celebrate a historic Halloween! Trick or treat in the Village, bob for apples, hear a ghost story and participate in many other ghoulish activities. Costumes are welcome.
Special Admission Rates Apply.
Christmas at the Village
A VISIT WITH ST. NICHOLAS
Saturday, December 4, Sunday, December 5, Saturday , December 11, Sunday, December 12
Families are invited to a Visit with St. Nicholas. Enjoy a hot pancake breakfast, followed by a baked gingerbread man to decorate for dessert. Hop aboard a horse drawn wagon for a beautiful winter ride around the Village and visit a selection of buildings preparing for Christmas. Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without a visit from St. Nicholas himself, who drops by to visit with each child.
Tickets: $14 each or $45 for a family of 4
Saturday Sittings available at 9:30 &11:00 am & 1:00 pm
Sunday Sittings available at 9:30 &11:00 a.m. and 12:30 & 2:00 pm
Advance tickets required.
Call 519-457-1296 to book.
SPONSORED BY KENNETH J. WILLIAMS BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR
DICKEN'S' DINNER
Friday, December 3, Saturday, December 4
Friday December 10, Saturday, December 11
(Thursday, December 2 and 9 will be available for Corporate Groups)
in the Pioneer Village Cafe
Enjoy a Victorian Christmas dinner served country style followed by a performance of The Chimes: A Play by Jason Rip.
Tickets: $50 each, maximum of 50 tickets per performance.
Advance tickets required: Call 519-457-1296
All proceeds support the BIG ON HISTORY! Capital Campaign