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Patriots Day Re-Enactment Commemorates America's Fight for Independence

by C. Clark

Free Admission for Veterans and Active Military

Mon, Apr 4th 2016 12:00 pm
`Enemies Conversing` -- Old Fort Niagara's British Redcoats meet face-to-face with an officer of the Continental Army, portrayed by event organizer Tommy Thompson of Hoisington's New York Rangers, and an American militiaman, portrayed by Tony Consiglio, also of Hoisington's, during Patriots Day Weekend. (Photo by Charlotte Clark)
"Enemies Conversing" -- Old Fort Niagara's British Redcoats meet face-to-face with an officer of the Continental Army, portrayed by event organizer Tommy Thompson of Hoisington's New York Rangers, and an American militiaman, portrayed by Tony Consiglio, also of Hoisington's, during Patriots Day Weekend. (Photo by Charlotte Clark)

(April 4, 2016) Youngstown, N.Y. - Old Fort Niagara will host its first re-enactment of the season, Patriots Day Weekend, on April 16 and 17, to commemorate the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. The weekend's educational and interactive activities are suitable for all ages and everything is included with regular admission to the fort.

 

Patriots Day Weekend will also honor all U.S. military service people, who will be admitted free with proper ID. A special ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday will award Patriots Day plaques to:

Technical Sergeant John Joseph Kyle, World War II Veteran, European Theatre (posthumously); and Specialist 4 John Tully LaVarnway, Vietnam War Veteran.

 

Re-enactors from Hoisington's New York Rangers, Brant's Volunteers, 64th Regiment of Foot, Fort McIntosh Garrison and Old Fort Niagara will portray Colonial Rebels, Colonial Loyalist and British Redcoats. They will present musket-firing and clothing demonstrations, 18th century military drills and be available to meet with visitors and answer questions. Visitors will also be able to "enlist" as a Rebel or Loyalist and participate in mock battles using wooden muskets.

 

The daily schedule 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

12 p.m. Storytelling about the Battles of Lexington and Concord that started the American Revolution

1 p.m. Clothing Demonstration

2 p.m. Saturday: Patriots Day Ceremony; and Musket Firing

2 p.m. Sunday: Patriots Day Honors; and Musket Firing

 

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

 

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

 

Old Fort Niagara's next re-enactment will be Soldiers Through the Ages, May 28 and 29, which will present a military timeline of soldiers at the fort over three centuries.

 

Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is located in Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown, N.Y., which is 14 miles north of Niagara Falls via the Robert Moses Parkway North. The fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (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. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Hours of Operation

January 13 through March, Open Wednesday-Sunday  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

April 1- June 30, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

July and August, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

September 1 - October 15, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

October 16 - December 31, Open Wednesday through Sunday (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The fort will be open daily during Christmas week, December 26 - 31. 

Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 

 

General Admission

Adults:

$20.00

Children (6 to 12 years) 

$12.00

Children (5 and under):

  FREE

 

 

 

 

Support the Fort

Old Fort Niagara is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1927. We do not rely on tax dollars. Instead, the Fort is funded through a combination of admission fees, museum shop sales, and charitable contributions.

Donate today!

 

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