Information for Re-enactors

Online Merchant Application launches February 1, 2023

Space Rentals

• Merchants are invited to:
  • Set up and sell wares;
  • Provide demonstrations/share knowledge about a certain aspect of 19th century history;
  • Assist with the coordination of the event.
• There is no merchant fee for volunteers of History in Action Day.

• Online Merchant Applications will open in February 2023.
• Merchants must apply by April 14, 2023 to be considered for a space.
• Space is limited. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The non-refundable fee for merchant space is $65.00 CDN. Once approved, payment in full must be received by May 19, 2023. Payments will not be accepted at the event.
• The Re-enactment Committee reserves the right to refuse an application for any reason, at their sole discretion. Successful applicants will be notified upon approval of their application.
• Once approved, merchants are required to provide proof of insurance. Such proof can be obtained from your insurance agent or your military unit’s insurer in the form of a letter.
• The rented space is assigned to the registrant’s company or group only. No subletting of space is permitted without authorization and written consent from staff at Battlefield House Museum.
• Each designated space will be indicated by stakes and twine according to the measurements you provide. Registrants are asked to strictly observe and respect these markings.
• All registrants are expected to adhere to the rules of general good taste and conduct throughout the event, including during set-up and tear-down.

Wares

Please help us in maintaining the quality of this event by displaying and selling only items that are historically accurate and/or relate to the Napoleonic period. All merchant product will be inspected by the Re-enactment Committee during the event.

• Non-acceptable items include, but are not limited to:
  • Non-period items; plastic items of any sort; dream catchers; modern pow-wow items; historically inaccurate turquoise jewelry; Mexican or Navajo blankets; food items produced outside of a health-inspected commercial kitchen; sling shots or pistols using rubber bands or surgical tubing; medieval items; parts of products deriving from any threatened, endangered or otherwise protected species; granite ware or enamelware; percussion weapons; goods of any kind, other than food items, in plastic packaging.
• Any items that may be construed as racially discriminatory are strictly prohibited.
• If any non-Indigenous merchant chooses to offer Indigenous-made products for sale, a letter of agreement between the artist and the merchant must be provided and the items must be labeled with the name of the Indigenous artist.

• The sale of pirated copies or any item acquired by archaeological excavation are strictly prohibited.
• If you have any question as to whether any items that you propose to sell might present a problem, please contact Brenda Branch, [email protected], 905-546-2424, ext. 7527.
• Selected merchants selling food are required to complete a City of Hamilton Vendor Health Form. A link will be provided if/when your application is approved.

Exhibit Appearance and Vendor Behaviour

Please help us to enhance the atmosphere of the event by making your exhibit as authentic as possible.

• All merchants and all persons working in merchants’ tents must wear period clothing during all public hours.
• Proper period tents are required for housing wares, and for overnight camping (if applicable).
• Avoid or cover all plastic, plexiglass, cardboard, or other non-authentic display units, tables, chairs, and so forth.
• Historically-oriented modern items such as CDs, DVDs, and T-shirts are permitted if they are in good taste, of good quality, and are displayed tastefully in a historically-oriented unit or setup. These items should not be displayed prominently at your site. Similarly, packaging and labeling as required by the Department of Health and/or Health Canada is of course allowed. Goods of any kind other than food items packaged in plastic may not be displayed. Such goods must be removed from plastic or may be enclosed in sheer or opaque fabric for display. It is permissible to have one item, not in plastic, as a display, then provide items in plastic bags upon request as they are sold. These back-up items must be kept out of plain sight.
• Cooking fires, Hibachis, Coleman stoves, etc. are not permitted in the Merchant area.

Amenities Provided

The following will be provided for the weekend:

• A bag lunch on Thursday for those who participate in History in Action Day
• A BBQ lunch on Friday for those who participated at History in Action Day
• Ticket for one meal on either Saturday or Sunday, for those who have pre-registered.
• Breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning, for those who have pre-registered.
• Firewood & fire pit trays
• Water connections on site
• Overnight security Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Set Up

Re-enactors may set up in Battlefield Park during the following times only:

• Wednesday after 12 noon.
• Thursday from 7 am to 8:30 am and after 2:30 pm 
• No set-up will be allowed between 9 am and 2:30 pm on Thursday, when over 1,000 students will be on-site for History in Action Day. All vehicles and trailers must be removed from Battlefield Park by 8:30 am or else they will be tagged and towed at the owner's expense.
• Friday after 10 am
• Saturday before 8:30 am
• All vehicles and trailers must be removed from Battlefield Park by 8:30 am on Saturday, or they will be tagged and towed at the owner's expense.

Merchants may set up in Battlefield Park during the following times:

• Wednesday, May 31 from 12 noon to 8 pm
• Thursday, June 1 from 7 am to 8:30 am, and after 2:30 pm
• Friday, June 3 from 10 am to 8 pm
• Saturday, June 6 before 8:30 am

Please note:

• There is no access to the site between 9 am and 2:30 pm on Thursday when more than 1,000 students will be on-site for History in Action Day;
• All vehicles and trailers must be removed from Battlefield Park on Saturday by 8:30am or they will be tagged and towed at the owner’s expense;
• Please stay within the marked lines of your allotted space, as roads and pathways are specifically measured to allow access to your area by emergency vehicles.

Tear Down

• Merchants and reenactors may begin packing up and tearing down as soon as the event closes at 4:30 pm on Sunday.
  • Please do not begin to pack or load before this time.
  • Vehicles will not be permitted on-site until this time.

Reenactors' Consignment Event without the fee! Sell your outgrown or no longer used kit or camp equipment and/or pick up some second-hand bargains! **No tents or weapons**

Location Nash-Jackson House (at the back)

Set Up

Friday 7:30 pm until dark
Saturday 9 am

Sale

Saturday 9:30 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm
Sunday 9:30 am to 12 noon

Settle Up

Sunday 3 pm to 4 pm

Maps, Parking and Directions

Battlefield House Museum & Park is located at 77 King Street West, Stoney Creek, Ontario Canada, midway between Toronto and Niagara Falls. We are within 15 to 45 minutes of most vintners and vineyards in the Niagara Wine Region.

Parking and Shuttle Service

There is absolutely NO parking on-site during the Re-enactment event. 

FREE parking and a FREE shuttle runs on Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm and on Sunday from 10am until 5 pm. The shuttle and the event's outdoor activities are fully accessible. Parking location to be announced.