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Patriots Day Weekend commences re-enactment season at Old Fort Niagara

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Apr 3rd 2015 10:40 am

Free admission for veterans and active military

Old Fort Niagara invites the public to Patriots Day Weekend, April 18 and 19, when its re-enactment season officially begins - with a bang! This two-day event commemorates the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. Mature and youthful audiences alike will be enlightened by this historical re-enactment, which will include visitors enlisting as Rebels or Loyalists, as well as storytelling, demonstrations and musket firings.

In addition, the event will honor all U.S. military service people, who will be admitted free with proper ID. Special ceremonies will award Patriots Day plaques to a World War II veteran posthumously and a Vietnam War veteran.

Re-enactors from Hoisington's New York Rangers, Brant's Volunteers and 26th Regiment of Foot will portray Colonial Rebels, Colonial Loyalist and British Redcoats. They will present musket-firing demonstrations, 18th century military drills and be available to meet with visitors and answer questions.

The schedule for both days is as follows:

  • 10 a.m. Assemble - re-enactors will gather on the parade grounds
  • 11 a.m. Recruiting Demonstration - kids and parents are invited to "enlist" as Rebels or Loyalists
  • Noon - Storytelling about the battles of Lexington and Concord that started the American Revolution
  • 1 p.m. - Clothing Demonstration
  • 2 p.m. Saturday: Honoring Private First Class Melvin Walter Schmidt WWII veteran (posthumously), and James E. Badura of the Hoisington's Rangers, Vietnam War veteran; musket firing
  • 2 p.m. Sunday: Patriots Day ceremony; musket firing

Additionally, guided tours of Old Fort Niagara will available all day Saturday and Sunday.

The cost to attend these events is regular admission to the fort ($12/adult, $8/child ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and under). It is free to members of Old Fort Niagara. Veterans and active military service people will be admitted free with proper ID.

Re-enactments at Old Fort Niagara will continue to be a highlight at the following spring and summer events:

  • May 23-24, "Soldiers Through the Ages"
  • June 6-7, "Rebels and Redcoats"
  • July 3-5, French and Indian War Encampment
  • Aug. 1-2, "Soldiers of the Revolution"
  • Sept. 5-6, War of 1812 Encampment

Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is located in Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown. It opens at 9 a.m. daily and is open until 5 p.m. during the winter months. Admissions end at 4:30 p.m. Old Fort Niagara is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

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