It’ll be a party fit for the hero of Upper Canada.

The Brock community is invited to attend a celebration on Friday, Oct. 5 in honour of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock’s birthday.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m. in front of the General’s statue, partygoers will be treated to complimentary cupcakes and join a group singing of Happy Birthday.

Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to wear red on Friday to commemorate the special day. The Brock Campus Store is offering a 15 per cent discount on select red clothing purchased on the day of the event.

Friday’s party will be the fourth time the University has formally celebrated its namesake’s birthday, who would have turned 249 on Saturday, Oct. 6.

“We came up with the idea a few years ago to encourage school spirit and to celebrate Sir Isaac Brock,” said Kristen Smith, Manager, Student and Community Outreach. “It has now become a student-led initiative that the campus looks forward to each October.”

After the birthday party, students can continue the celebration by cheering on the Brock Badgers men’s baseball, basketball and rugby teams.

Men’s baseball plays the University of Toronto in a doubleheader at noon and 3:30 p.m. at George Taylor Field in St. Catharines. Men’s rugby takes on the University of Guelph at 5 p.m. on Alumni Field and men’s basketball tips off against McGill University at 7:30 p.m. in Bob Davis Gymnasium.

Those unable to attend the birthday party can celebrate Sir Isaac by taking a selfie with the statue and sharing it on social media with the #Surgite hashtag.

About Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock 

Isaac Brock was born on Oct. 6, 1769 on the Island of Guernsey, one of Britain’s channel islands. He earned a reputation for being studious, reading works on ancient history, science and military tactics. Estimated to be more than six feet tall, Brock was also athletic and excelled in swimming and boxing. He entered the military at the age of 15.

Brock came to Canada when he was 33 years old. Within 10 years, he became commander-in-chief of the army, responsible for defending Upper Canada against the United States.

When the War of 1812 broke out, Brock’s army was ready. Quick victories at Fort Mackinac and Detroit defeated American invasion efforts.

In the early morning of Oct. 13, 1812, the American troops crossed the Niagara River and took the hill at Queenston Heights. In an effort to stop their progress, Brock led the charge on foot up the steep hill. However, his tall stature and distinctive British red coat and white trousers made him an obvious target. A musket ball struck Brock in the chest and he fell. His last pronouncement is reported to be “Surgite!” — Latin for “Push on!” — which was adopted as Brock University’s motto.