History Invades Lewiston This Weekend

The normally quiet village of Lewiston will play host to the largest group of 1812-era cannon ever assembled this weekend, as it commemorates its role as one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812. The  Battle of Queenston Heights, an early match-up in the War of 1812, pitted American forces against the British army. Both sides were aided by native tribes in the area. Which side was more successful in the battle has been a matter of debate since the shooting ended; both sides reported heavy lossess, and, after a brief invasion of the Canadian village of Queenston by US forces, the British pushed them back across the Niagara River.

Among the highlights of the weekend:

-a parade of the 1812-era cannon along Center Street in Lewiston,

-the playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture - actually written to commemorate a Russian victory over the French emperor Napoleon that same year, and

- a massive fireworks display Saturday night in Queenston, Ont, easily visible to viewers on both sides of the now-peaceful border.

More information on the weekend's activities can be found here.