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Patriots Day Weekend Starts Reenactment Season, April 22-23

by Charlotte Clark

Past and Present US Military People Admitted Free

Tue, Apr 4th 2017 02:00 pm
Reenactors and visitors mingle in front of the French Castle at Old Fort Niagara on Patriots Day Weekend. (photo C. Clark)
Reenactors and visitors mingle in front of the French Castle at Old Fort Niagara on Patriots Day Weekend. (photo C. Clark)
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(April 4, 2017) Youngstown, N.Y. - Patriots Day Weekend launches Old Fort Niagara's reenactment season with a salute to veterans and patriotism on April 22 and 23. The weekend's family-friendly, educational and interactive activities will enlighten visitors about the Battles of Lexington and Concord that began April 19, 1775, and started the American Revolution. The programs 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 ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday will award special plaques to:

·      Stanley Hill Sagar, Sergeant, US Army, European Theatre, World War II (posthumously), also member of Brant's Volunteers reenactment unit

·      William Irving Mayback, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, WWII (posthumously)

·      Howard M. Ehrhardt, Jr., Specialist 4, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, also member of Brant's Volunteers

·      Thomas R. Gielow, Jr., Specialist 4, U.S. Army, Vietnam War, also member of Brant's Volunteers

 

Volunteer reenactors from Hoisington's New York Rangers sponsor this annual event with the help of Brant's Volunteers, 64th Regiment of Foot, and Fort McIntosh Garrison, which are also volunteer reenactment units. They will portray Colonial Rebels, Colonial Loyalist and British Redcoats and 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 - Reenactors will gather on the parade grounds

11 a.m.   Recruiting Demonstration - Children and adults can "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 both days.

 

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 reenactment will be Soldiers through the Ages, May 27 and 28, which will present a military timeline of soldiers at the fort over three centuries.

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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