For immediate release

(April 2, 2015) Youngstown, N.Y. - Old Fort Niagara invites the public to Patriots Day Weekend, April 18 and 19, when its re-enactment season officially begins - with a bang! This two-day event commemorates the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. Mature and youthful audiences alike will be enlightened by this historical re-enactment, which will include visitors enlisting as Rebels or Loyalists, storytelling, demonstrations and musket firings.

In addition, the event will honor all U.S. military service people, who will be admitted free with proper ID. Special ceremonies will award Patriots Day plaques to a World War Two Veteran posthumously and a Vietnam War Veteran.

 

Re-enactors from Hoisington's New York Rangers, Brant's Volunteers and 26^th Regiment of Foot will portray Colonial Rebels, Colonial Loyalist and British Redcoats. They will present musket-firing demonstrations, 18^th century military drills and be available to meet with visitors and answer questions. The schedule for both days is as 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: Honoring Private First Class Melvin Walter Schmidt WWII Veteran (posthumously) and James E. Badura of the Hoisington's Rangers, Vietnam War Veteran; and Musket Firing

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

 

Additionally, guided tours of Old Fort Niagara will available all day 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.

 

Re-enactments at Old Fort Niagara will continue to be a highlight at the following spring and summer events:

May 23-24, Soldiers Through the Ages

June 6-7, Rebels and Redcoats

July 3-5, French and Indian War Encampment

August 1-2, Soldiers of the Revolution

September 5-6, War of 1812 Encampment

 

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.