Bronte Stag Weekend 2013

Bronte Park British Car Day & Stag Party 2013

Bronte Park British Car Day was a spectacular success once again thanks to the Toronto Triumph Club and their organization; the improved traffic flow on the approach roads was a big improvement as was the 'fast lane' entry for pre-registered entrants. This year we were celebrating 30 years of this event, most, but not all, at this location.

For the Stag owners, a full weekend had been planned and went off successfully. The Friday tour was to the Country Heritage Park, an agricultural museum in nearby Milton. A tractor and wagon ride escorted us around this great collection of historic buildings and machinery all colorfully explained by our wonderful guide Lorraine. Attending a 100-year-old school was an interesting experience complete with a very strict teacher who made us all feel like kids again. One or two had to be reprimanded and brought to the front of the class for punishment. A tour of the Massey Ferguson machinery building saw an extensive collection of farm machinery going back over 100 years. Lunch was provided on site and the warm soup proved to be popular as the wind had turned cold. We returned to the hotel by a very scenic countryside drive.

Being Friday the 13th but unknown to our merry band of drivers, we were sharing the roads with many motor cycles this being a huge day in nearby Port Dover on Lake Erie where thousands of motor cycles from all over Canada and the USA congregate for the weekend. The town is virtually locked up with bikes.

On Saturday things warmed up considerably with sunny skies and a nicer temperature. We enjoyed a scenic drive to Battlefield House which figured prominently in the War of 1812. The drive there took us along the Niagara escarpment with a scenic overlook of the bay and Lake Ontario from the Devil's Punch Bowl waterfall. The falls unfortunately were dry due to lack of rainfall. After lunch under the pavilion in the grounds of Battlefield House we were conducted on a tour of the house and the significance of the property explained. Come evening time, thirty-three members enjoyed a delicious banquet in the hotel followed by prizes awarded for the weekend quiz, always a much anticipated fun event.

The set up on Sunday at Bronte Park was again well done by the Toronto Triumph club where almost enough space was reserved for our 22 Stags. Approximately 1100 British vehicles were officially registered plus more that didn't register, a great show all in all. An amazing line up of 31 DeLoreans attended, quite a sight sitting there with the doors up, even saw a red one. A replica of the car from 'Back to the Future' was also there. This also was a 30-year celebration for DeLorean DMC-12 fans.

The winners of this year's show in the Stag category, which is a participant's choice award, were: 1st place: Phil & Judy Keith of NY state (first time to Bronte); 2nd place: Dave Grant ON; and 3rd place: Robin & Ria Searle ON.

We were treated to a WW1 dogfight overhead as the Red Baron tri-plane Fokker fought with two Sopwith biplanes, quite a sight and a treat for visitors.

So, once again we had a wonderful weekend meeting old friends and making some new ones. We are already thinking about plans for next year. The newly introduced registration process for our Stag weekend activities (separate from park registration) helped us organize tours and meals more efficiently so we will be doing that again for 2014, as well as sending out more details of the weekend activities as we get plans in place.

The Admiral Inn, in Burlington, has proved to be a popular choice to stay so we will be reserving rooms again in 2014. I will keep you up to date on the web site as things progress for 2014, the date of the show will be September 21st, we hope many of you will join us.

Tony Fox

Friday the 13th Tour

Country Heritage Park

Come & enjoy an interactive experience at Country Heritage Park, and find for yourself why it's described as a historical hidden gem. Discover the look and feel of rural living over 180 years ago.

With 30 unique historical buildings, 20,000 artifacts, & its striking Niagara Escarpment surroundings, the park is a must-see destination for everyday outings, educational experiences, weddings, and special events.

Read On....

Country Heritage Park Map

Country Heritage Park Milton

Benji Keeping Watch in Chris and Griz Holbrook's Stag

Robin & Ria Searle

Saturday - Niagara Escarpment Tour

Gathering at Tim Horton's Stoney Creek

Devil's Punchbowl Falls

Devil's Punchbowl is a ribbon waterfall 37 metres (121 feet) in height and a crest width of 3 metres (10 feet). Located at the Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area in Stoney Creek, the area actually contains two separate falls: the Upper Falls is the classical shape, while the Lower is the ribbon type. Known at one time as Horseshoe Falls, it is the third highest waterfall in Hamilton.

The Devil's Punchbowl does dry up often and has water flowing after rainfalls and during the winter snow melt. Often when water is flowing, it is a trickle- however, this is still an impressive sight, as this thin ribbon waterfall falls 37 metres before making contact with anything.

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Devils Punch Bowl Falls Map

This is what the Devil's Punch Bowl Falls looks like with water, from Hamilton, City of Waterfalls.

Devils Punch Bowl Falls, Stoney Creek

Devils Punch Bowl Falls, Stoney Creek
Looking down on Hamilton

Devils Punch Bowl Falls, Stoney Creek
Looking toward the north shore of Lake Ontario

Battlefield House Museum and Park

When you come to visit us at Battlefield House Museum in Stoney Creek, you will find living history. Experience life in the early nineteenth century, as our museum staff, dressed in period, demonstrate the lifestyle of the Gage Family. Learn about the history of Battlefield House. This rural Upper Canada home was originally built here on the banks of the creek in Saltfleet Township, around 1796.

It was here, on June 6, 1813, that the Battle of Stoney Creek took place during the War of 1812. Every year a Military Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek is held in June. Plan ahead by reviewing our list of future dates for the re-enactment, including the bicentennial celebration in 2013.

Read On....

Battlefield Park Map

Battlefield House, Stoney Creek

Colin and Matthew West's Stag Bonnet

Battlefield House Museum, Stoney Creek

Grandview House at the Battlefield House Park, Stoney Creek

Battlefield House Pavillion, Stoney Creek

Battlefield House, Stoney Creek

Battlefield Monument Battlefield Park, Stoney Creek

Flying the Union Jack!

Saturday - Admiral Inn Banquet

Chuck & Carmie McCormack, Dave Grant, Lynda Hill and George Haar

Sunday - Bronte

British Car Day at Bronte Creek Prov. Park

British Car Day is hosted annually by the Toronto Triumph Club, on the third Sunday of September. Since its inaugural event in 1984, it has grown in leaps and bounds, and now draws over 1000 British cars and 8,000 spectators, with room to grow even bigger. The event is the largest, one-day, all-British car event in North America, with visitors from throughout the northeast United States, the Maritime provinces, Quebec, and Manitoba. We have even had visitors from Alberta, Texas, the UK, and New Zealand.

Read On....