"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, 64^th 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, 18^th 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.