Celebrating July 4 & America 250

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Members of the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow Band” perform during a ceremony held at the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 14. The band will be playing at concerts across New York from June 25 to July 4. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Major Rolando Sierra)

New York Army National Guard Band will play free patriotic concerts in Buffalo, Niagara Falls & Lewiston

42nd Infantry Division ‘Rainbow Band’ will perform

New York National Guard press release & photos

The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow Band” will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence with eight patriotic concerts being held across New York.

The 90-minute concerts by the 23-soldier band feature patriotic marches like "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Over There."

The band's smaller groups, The Bear Mountain Brass and the Governor's Own Brass Quintet, will be playing tunes that reflect American history and culture. These include “Star Wars,” the "Revolutionary War Medley" and “Sweet Dreams.”

Local performances include:

•June 27, the Buffalo Canalside Boardwalk State in Buffalo at 4 p.m.

•June 28, the Niagara Falls Visitor Center at 11 a.m.

•June 29, the Alphonso I. Dimino Memorial Bandshell in Academy Park in Lewiston at 7 p.m.

The 42nd Infantry Division Band, nicknamed the “Rainbow Band” because the 42nd Infantry Division is the "Rainbow Division," was constituted in 1943 when the 42nd Infantry Division was reactivated for World War II. The band can trace its roots back to New York militia bands created in the 19th Century.

The band is based at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor and serves as a musical ambassador for the 42nd Infantry Division and the New York Army National Guard. It conducts an annual concert tour, performs at military events, and marches in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City each year.

The band is commanded and led by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan Wagner.

Each member of the band is a trained soldier. In 2004 and 2005, the band was mobilized and deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, where band members performed security duties when they were not entertaining soldiers.

The 42nd Infantry Division Band will be playing across New York to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. (U.S. Army National Guard photo)

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Town of Grand Island Independence Day celebration

Submitted

The Town of Grand Island will celebrate the Fourth of July and this nation’s 250th anniversary of independence Saturday, July 4, with the following events:

•50th annual Dick Bessel Independence Day Run: The Kids Run starts at 9 a.m. and the adult run commences at 9:10 a.m. Find race registration at https://score-this.com.

•56th annual Independence Day Parade: The parade starts immediately following the Dick Bessel Run (approximately 10 a.m.).

•Road closures and additional information: Road closures begin at 8:30 a.m. All roads will open at noon. For more information, visit https://grandislandny.myrec.com.

•Distribution of items: Spectators must remain on the side of the parade route. Units are instructed that distribution of items must be done along the side – no throwing items from their unit – organizers do not want spectators entering the route in the path of moving vehicles.

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Andres: ‘4th of July Kids’ Bike Parade’ will celebrate America 250

Submitted by the Niagara County Public Information Office

Niagara County Legislator Rich Andres announced details for the ninth annual “Fourth of July Kids Bike Parade” that will be a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The annual event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, from Pine Woods Park (Niagara and Thompson streets) and head west on Thompson Street. The route will end at the Herschell Carrousel Museum, 180 Thompson St., North Tonawanda. The entire event runs until noon. All are welcome to participate.

Kids can enjoy rides in Kiddieland at the Carousel Museum. Ice cream will be served. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons, strollers and so on, and wear their most patriotic outfits to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

“The Kids’ Bike Parade has become part of many families’ Fourth of July celebrations, and this year is extra special, given we are celebrating 250 years of American independence,” said Andres, who organizes the parade. “If you have never brought your children to this event, it’s a lot of fun and wraps up with plenty of time to get ready for those family picnics and barbecues.”

In addition to Andres, Niagara County legislators Randy Bradt and Jesse Gooch sponsor the event.

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Old Fort Niagara photo by Wayne Peters

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On July 4, Old Fort Niagara marks America 250 with grand musket & cannon salute

Press release

At noon Saturday, July 4, 500 reenactors will gather atop the walls of Old Fort Niagara to perform a grand musket and cannon salute in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The salute will be part of Old Fort Niagara’s 46th annual French and Indian War Encampment, the historic site’s largest living history event of the year.

Known as “Siege! 1759,” the three-day event recreates the historic siege of Fort Niagara that took place in July 1759. During the 19-day siege, British forces captured the fort from the French, ushering in a new era in American history. At the conclusion of the French and Indian War, Britain gained vast new territories but incurred huge debts and faced imperial challenges that led directly to the American Revolution.

The event begins Friday, July 3, with a display of 18th century military pageantry as British and French forces parade their regimental colors. This will be followed by firing five large cannons in the fort’s 1756 Dauphin Battery. Fifes and drums then take the stage as reenactors and visitors alike march into the fort. Once inside, visitors will encounter 22 acres of period artisans and merchants, many demonstrating skills of the era. At 2 p.m. British, French, and Native American forces will face off in a battle reenactment that demonstrates military tactics of the 18th century. Friday’s program concludes with an artillery firing demonstration at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, July 4, programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with the firing of the Dauphin Battery followed by a fife and drum concert. At noon, reenactors will mount the fort’s extensive walls to perform a grand feu de joie (firing of joy) in celebration of America 250. A feu de joie was an 18th century ceremony involving rolling musket and cannon fire. Firings were often performed to mark a great military victory or alliance. In 2026, Old Fort Niagara’s feu de joie will mark this nation’s 250th birthday at Western New York’s only Revolutionary War-era historic site. The siege continues at 2 p.m. with a battle reenactment followed at 4 p.m. by an artillery demonstration.

Sunday’s program will feature a reenactment of the Battle of La Belle Famille, an action that was fought July 24, 1759. In that fight, French and Native American forces attempted to break through to relieve the siege of the fort, but were stopped just a mile south of the Fort in a brief but bloody battle. The final battle of the event will take place at 2:30 p.m. as French forces are forced to cease resistance and give up the fort. Surrender ceremonies will follow at 3 p.m.

During the weekend’s events, visitors will learn about British and French efforts to secure Native American alliances through two councils that feature dialogue in the original languages. Old Fort Niagara will also present two harpsichord recitals in the 1726 French Castle on Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. Guided tours recounting the events of the 1759 siege will take place throughout the event.

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Historic Lewiston church to celebrate America at 250

Press release

The First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, recognized as the oldest and most historic church in the village, will salute America’s 250th birthday by hosting a community celebration open to the public.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be held at the church at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, July 5. The service will feature worship and live music. A free community coffee hour will follow.

The Rev. Carly Beard stated, “It is only fitting that historic Lewiston Presbyterian Church, with its rich history of providing worship and community fellowship, is planning this special celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday. All are welcome to join this joyful service.”

The church is located at 505 Cayuga St., and is handicapped accessible. Childcare will be available for children ages 4 years and under. Parking is available on the street or in a large lot behind the building. The church and events are open to all.

Visit www.lewistonpres.org, email the church at [email protected] or find it on Facebook.