Old Fort Niagara presents 'The Castle at Candlelight'

Old Fort Niagara assumes a particularly festive air during the holiday season. Special activities kick off on Saturdays, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 9 and 16, as OFN presents “The Castle by Candlelight.”

Take a tour of the Great Lakes’ oldest building illuminated entirely by candles. Throughout the castle, visitors will encounter members of OFN’s 18^th century garrison demonstrating everything from quill pens to fur trading to traditional games of skill.

Twice each evening, the garrison turns out to perform a grand feu de joie (firing of joy), a rolling fire of muskets and cannons. Cooks demonstrate 18^th century holiday recipes, musicians play popular songs of the era, and a Recollet priest reads the Christmas story in Latin in the fort’s 297-year-old chapel. Visitors to the event can make a holiday ornament and a bird feeder, and enjoy Native American songs and stories.

In the fort’s log cabin, visitors can warm up and enjoy hot refreshments, which will be available for purchase. Menu items include bread pudding, soup, hot chocolate, coffee and tea.

Admission to the event is $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased through Old Fort Niagara’s website, www.oldfortniagara.org. All proceeds benefit Old Fort Niagara’s educational programs, which served 12,000 school students in 2023.

For more information, call the fort at 716-745-7611 or visit www.oldfortniagara.org.

The feu de Joie (firing of joy). (Submitted photo)