-Posted By Kiara Wilson, Recorder and Times Staff Writer
After a hiatus of 13 years, Loyalist Days made a well-received comeback this weekend in Prescott.
The festival, which at one time was a 10 day-long celebration that included hundreds of re-enactors from all over North America, was enjoyed during its three-day revival that began Friday evening with a grand encampment at the Fort Wellington National Historic Site, followed by a Brigadier's Bash by the Business Improvement Area with a concert by Ambush.
"Everything went very smoothly yesterday," said festival vice-chairman Lisa Smith on Saturday. "We had a lot of people come out."
And if the crowd at Saturday's Battle of Prescott re-enactment was any indication of overall attendance, then Loyalist Days will be a festival to be scheduled on summer event calendars in the years to come.
According to co-chairman Brett Todd, the Fort saw more than a thousand people come out to watch 110 re-enactors from the Kings Royal Yorkers group and the Tryon County Militia battle it out.
"We're just blown out of the water by how many people were here Saturday, and who stuck around," said Todd. "For a first-year event, this is an awesome turnout. We thought the community really wanted it back and now we've seen the evidence that they do."
As the re-enactment wrapped up Saturday, some people hung around for the 18th century fashion show, while others headed home to get ready for the big Kinsmen casino night and Yuk Yuk's comedy.
One group, consisting of friends Tom and Carmel Glynn, Bill Roberts, June George, and Mary and Ken Berini, chose to stay stationary in their lawn chairs and take in the festival's environment.
"We're just gonna stay here and see what they've got for us next," said Carmel.
"This is just smashing and it's so nice to see it back again."
The group used to attend Loyalist Days when it ran in its prime, and they recalled that one summer, back in the 1970s, was especially memorable for them because Pierre Elliott Trudeau came by the festival.
Stay tuned for information about next year's event.