The French and Indian War Encampment is sponsored by First Niagara Bank.

Experience the historic siege of Fort Niagara as hundreds of reenactors and craftsmen recreate the French and Indian War. Featured are battle reenactments, large living history camps, period merchants and artisans, Native councils, musket and artillery firings, special exhibits and more. This is the Fort's largest reenactment of the year and is not to be missed!

NOTE: Visitors are encouraged to arrive early in the day. Programs, demonstrations and special exhibits begin at 10:00 a.m. There are activities all day long.  

Friday, July 3

10:00 a.m. Assembly & Trooping of the Colors.  Witness the pomp and ceremony of 18th century armies as they parade their flags before the assembled troops.

10:00 a.m. - Noon Book Signing, David L. Preston, Braddock's Defeat. 

10:30 a.m. Uniform Program. Meet the people who fought in the Siege of Niagara.

11:00 a.m. Raid on a Frontier Settlement. A French and Native American raiding party attacks an isolated frontier settlement.

11:15 a.m. Recruiting Demonstration. (youth activity) In response to frontier raids, the Colony of New York recruits soldiers to attack French-held Fort Niagara.  

Noon. British-Native Council. In a dramatic demonstration of frontier diplomacy, Native Americans debate their course of action as Anglo-Americans plan their attack on Fort Niagara.

1:15 p.m. Concert of Military Music. Enjoy popular tunes of the 50s (1750s) and find out how musicians played a vital role in the life of the 18th century military.  

Please note: the 2:00 p.m. battle reenactment takes place on the field in front of the Fort. This area will be off limits to pedestrian traffic between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. for safety reasons. Please plan to arrive early enough to be inside the Fort by 1:45 p.m.

1:45 p.m. Military Engineering Demonstration. Find out how an 18th century siege was laid and the role of military engineers in reducing a well-defended fort.

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment. British forces make their first effort to overrun Fort Niagara. Get a bird's-eye-view as British regulars and New York provincial troops make their first attempt to carry the French defenses.

3:00 p.m. French Artillery Demonstration. See the French fire their big guns from the Dauphin Battery.

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Book Signing, David L. Preston, Braddock's Defeat. 

4:00 p.m. 18th Century Games and Siege Tour. Play a family-friendly 18th century game or learn more about the siege  by taking an informative walking tour of the Fort's defenses.

5:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

6:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

Saturday, July 4

10:00 a.m. Lacrosse Game. Watch Native and European players in a traditional game of Lacrosse, known as "the little brother of war."

11:00 a.m. French Native Council. Frontier diplomacy continues as Kaendae brokers a Native withdrawal from the siege.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Book Signing, David L. Preston, Braddock's Defeat.  

Noon Siege Tour- Engineering and Artillery Demonstration. Learn how the British intend to approach the Fort by trenching toward its walls. Discover their plans for bombarding the Fort and see guns, howitzers and mortars fired at the Fort.

1:15 p.m.  Concert of Military Music. Enjoy popular tunes of the 50s (1750s) and find out how musicians played a vital role in the life of the 18th century military.  

Please note: the 2:00 p.m. battle reenactment takes place on the field in front of the Fort. This area will be off limits to pedestrian traffic between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. for safety reasons. Please plan to arrive early enough to be inside the Fort by 1:45 p.m.  

1:45 p.m. Military Engineering Demonstration. Find out how an 18th century siege was laid and the role of military engineers in reducing a well-defended fort. 

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment. French soldiers launch a spontaneous counterattack against the British positions.

3:00 p.m. Kids Drill (youth program). Enlist in the French Army and be trained to defend the Fort.

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Book Signing, David L. Preston, Braddock's Defeat 

3:30 p.m. French Artillery Bombardment.  See the French fire their big guns from the Dauphin Battery.

4:00 p.m. 18th Century Games

4:30 p.m. Cricket Match in the British Camp.

5:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

6:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

Sunday, July 5

10:30 a.m. Board Shuttles to La Belle Famille

11:00 a.m. Reenactment of the Battle of La Belle Famille

Noon French Artillery Demonstration. See the French fire their big guns from the Dauphin Battery

1:15 p.m.  Concert of Military Music. Enjoy popular tunes of the 50s (1750s) and find out how musicians played a vital role in the life of the 18th century military.

Please note: the 2:00 p.m. battle reenactment takes place on the field in front of the Fort. This area will be off limits to pedestrian traffic between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. for safety reasons. Please plan to arrive early enough to be inside the Fort by 1:45 p.m.  

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment. Watch as an increasingly desperate French garrison tries to withstand a British attack. British forces have moved closer to the Fort and now bring devastating fire to bear on the Fort's walls.

2:45 p.m. Surrender Ceremonies. With a breach blown in the Fort's wall and the French relief force defeated at La Belle Famille, the Fort's commandant, Captain Pierre Pouchot, must surrender the post.  

3:00 p.m. British Military Funeral. Now in possession of the Fort, the British must bury their dead, including their leader, General John Prideaux.

Ongoing Activities

18th century merchants and artisans, blacksmithing, artisans from Colonial Williamsburg, cooking demonstrations, textile production, living history camps, foodways, military medicine, fur trading, guard mount, special displays and much more!

Officers Club Open 11-4. 

ADMISSION IS $13.00 PER PERSON FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT 

REENACTORS- go to www.niagarafni.org for participant information.  

Sponsored by:

First Niagara Bank

Local Edge

Wolfe Lumber Mill, Gasport, NY

Crosby's

Main St. Pizzeria, Youngstown, NY

Melloni's Market Place, Youngstown, NY 

The Mug and Musket, Youngstown, NY

Nucci's Bed and Breakfast, Youngstown, NY