Media Contact:  Robert Emerson; (716) 745-7611 ext. 228; [email protected]

For immediate release 

(March 9, 2015) Youngstown, N.Y. - Old Fort Niagara invites the public to "Swing Into the '40s" at a new swing dance event on March 28, 2015, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Fort Niagara Officers Club. The dance will offer lessons, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, door prizes, a dance competition and music by Buffalo Jazz & Swing Band.

"Hosting a swing dance is a fun and energetic way of drawing attention to Fort Niagara's 20^th century history," said Lauren Agnello, event organizer and 10-year veteran in the Fort's Interpretive Department. "Many people are aware of Old Fort Niagara's colonial history, but don't know about its role in training officers in World War One or as a POW Camp during World War Two. I wanted to organize a fundraiser that would make people more aware while still having a lot of fun."

Tickets are available by presale only for $60 by calling (716) 745-7611 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and will benefit the Fort's education programming. Ticket purchases include:

·         30-minute swing dance instruction by Swing Buffalo (swingbuffalo.com)

·         Entry into vintage 1940s-themed door prizes (one male and one female prize will be selected)

·         Awards for dance competition winners and best-dressed male and female

·         Four hours of music entertainment by Buffalo Jazz & Swing Band (http://www.buffaloswingband.com)

·         Drinks and hors d'oeuvres

Attendees have the option to wear 1940s inspired clothing. According to Ms. Agnello, women's swing-dance attire in the 1940s included skirts, blouses and dresses that created an hourglass silhouette with the help of shoulder pads. Saddle shoes, wedges and low-heeled oxfords were common footwear. Men wore military uniforms or a suit and tie. Awards will be given out for the best-dressed man and woman.

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 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. Like us on Facebook.

Picture courtesy of SwinginDenver.com

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