10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hundreds of re-enactors from across North America converge to re-create the annual summer gathering held at Fort William over 200 years ago when it was the inland headquarters of the North West Company! The historic re-enactment will include artisan workshops and demonstrations, guest speakers, a grand canoe arrival, contests, and more. More event details coming soon.
Completed applications are due on July 5, 2026, by 4 p.m. There is no cost to be a re-enactor.
Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Create a colourful bead necklace and learn about the importance of beads as trade items during Canada’s fur trade era.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit with the Thunder Bay Museum and make your own button.
Sunday, 3 to 4 p.m.
This special tour offers a rare glimpse into how our historically accurate garments are designed, constructed, and maintained. Discover the tools, techniques, and research that bring the past to life, and learn how our team outfits our interpreters for an authentic fur trade experience.
English tours: Daily, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
French tours: Daily, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Take a guided tour of Fort William led by one of its inhabitants. Guided tours last approximately 1.5 hours.
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Explore the historic site and visit the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Trades Square, and Dairy, and visit with the farm animals.
Daily, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
Explore the historic Kaministiquia River by canoe while voyageurs entertain you with songs and stories.
Daily, 12 to 12:30 p.m. | Ages 12+
Try your hand at throwing a trade axe! Voyageurs and tradesmen spend their leisure time trying to best one another in this game of precision and skill.
Daily, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Experience the magic of science. Watch as sound becomes visible on a Chladni plate, where vibrations form geometric patterns before your eyes, and enjoy a variety of engaging experiments that will spark your curiosity.
Daily, 3 to 3:30 p.m. | Ages 12+
Fire a fur trade era musket! Firearms were an important trade item in 1815. Learn the skills you’ll need to use a fur trade era musket to hunt for your food.
Daily, 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Join Fort William’s inhabitants as they celebrate with singing and dancing in the Main Square.
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sample and learn about historic fur trade foods (while supplies last).
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Explore the historic site to unravel riddles and test your fur trader knowledge.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Our costuming team will make a dress in one (1) day using only 19th century tools and construction methods.
Daily, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Witness the age-old tradition of turning fresh cream into golden butter.
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watch the timeless craft of log hewing, a traditional woodworking skill used to shape and smooth logs for building.
Friday, 3:30 p.m.
Test your strength! See how far and accurately you can throw a cannonball
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. | Ages 12+
Try your hand at throwing a trade axe! Voyageurs and tradesmen spend their leisure time trying to best one another in this game of precision and skill.
Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
This game of Indigenous origins will test your hand-eye coordination. The rules of the contest have been developed based on historical sources and references.
Daily, 11:30 a.m.
Join two North West Company employees as they embark on a quest to locate an important trading ledger before their supervisor discovers it’s missing.
Friday, 2 p.m.
Watch re-enactor voyageur brigades test their paddling skills in a friendly canoe race.
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Witness the spectacle of many canoes arriving, echoing a time when these watercraft were essential to the exploration of our heritage river systems.
Sunday, 2 p.m.
Kenneth Mackenzie, proprietor of Fort William, receives a promotion and must relocate to Montreal. Will his wife, Louisa, and daughter go with him or choose to stay in the interior?
Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Send off the voyageurs as they embark on their journey back to Montreal headquarters and the wintering posts and find out what Louisa and Kenneth Mackenzie decide for their future.
Daily, 12-2 p.m.
Discover the rich and complex history of the Canadian fur trade through this engaging speaker series. Guest speaker information coming soon.
Friday, 12 to 1 p.m. | Guest Speaker: Matt Roy
Learn about the art and practice of western medicine in the early 19th century, gaining insights into the minds of medical practitioners working in the fur trade.
Saturday, 12 to 1 p.m. | Guest Speaker: Matt Roy
Learn how electricity captured the pop culture imagination and advanced science in the early 19th century.
Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 2 p.m. | Guest Speaker: Daniel Laxer
From initial contact with Indigenous communities to fostering and maintaining trading and social relationships, music was central to the operation of the fur trade for at least two centuries. Daniel Laxer is the author of Listening to the Fur Trade: Soundways and Music in the British North American Fur Trade, 1760-1840. You can purchase Daniel’s book in the Trading Post Gift Shop, located in the Visitor Centre.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
Ages 15+ | Max. 20 participants
Learn the art of letter writing using India ink, dip pens, and fine paper. Participants will craft their unique letter, ready to send to a friend or family member, and seal it with a wax stamp for an extra personal touch.
Friday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Max. 6 participants
Learn how to sew a Regency Era Tulip Reticule with Patty Davis from The Costume People. All required materials will be provided.
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Join the Métis Nation of Ontario Summer Youth Program for a creative craft activity inspired by Métis culture and tradition.
Sunday, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Learn Bannock baking methods at the Anishinaabe Encampment. Make and enjoy your own iconic tasty treat. Weather permitting.
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Cantine offers a variety of menu items featuring both heritage and contemporary cuisines. Event menu coming soon.
Great Rendezvous Special - House smoked chicken, Chipotle mayo, roasted corn, pickled red onion, lime, and farmers cheese
Pineapple slaw and choice of Carolina Gold, Cajun BBQ, or Carolina Glaze
Cheese curds and house gravy
with smoked jalapeno crema
with vegan slaw
with brown butter ritz
with smoked jalapeno crema and stone bread
Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Diet Ginger Ale, 7up, Juice
(355 mL, 5% ABV)
(355 mL, 5-7% ABV, depending on flavour)
(355 mL, 4% ABV, 17 IBU)
(355 mL, 6.5% ABV, 76 IBU)
(355 mL, 5% ABV, 27 IBU)
(473 mL, 5% ABV, 17 IBU)
(473 mL, 5% ABV)
(473 mL 5% ABV)
(6 oz glass, 12% ABV)
(6 oz glass, 13% ABV)
The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card, which is issued to a person who has a disability. It allows the support person to enter a Thunder Bay recreation facility for free. A support person can be a friend, family member or a paid worker.
Admission fees include HST.
+ HST
The season pass provides you with year-round admission to the Fort William historic site and admission to the following Fort William Historical Park events: The Great Rendezvous, Halloween Hoot, New Year’s Eve Family Frolic, and Voyageurs Winter Carnival. Admission to Canada Day, Anishinaabe Keeshigun and Celtic Day is free for all visitors. The season pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase. Learn more about the season pass.
Weather appropriate clothing: This is an all weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.
Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.
Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.
Bicycle: Cyclists are welcome. Bike racks are available to use free of charge.
Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route on weekdays. It does not run on weekends or holidays. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.
Boats & River Access: Boats cannot dock at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.
RVs: Camping is permitted at our campground with a reservation. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.