By JOE LoTEMPLIO
PLATTSBURGH -- With the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Plattsburgh just six years away, organizers of the annual celebration know the importance of keeping the history alive.
"When we started this in 1997, it was with the goal of reaching the 200th anniversary, and we know that we have to keep the interest up, and we think we have so far," Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee Co-Chairperson Christopher "Kit" Booth said at a news conference Wednesday.
The Battle of Plattsburgh is considered by many historians as the turning point of the War of 1812 between the United States and England.
An outmanned American Navy and Army defeated the British on Sept. 11, 1814, which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which led to the end of the war on Christmas Eve of 1814.
SPREAD OVER WEEK
This year's celebration of the historical battle kicks off Saturday, with a memorial ceremony at Dewey's Tavern in Champlain, where the British army camped on Aug. 1 and Sept. 1, 1814, as they made their way from Canada into the United States.
The celebration will continue with several events next week and culminate with a celebration Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12, 13 and 14.
Most of the events will be in and around the downtown Plattsburgh area, near City Hall and Trinity Park.
Saturday, Sept. 13, will be highlighted by the battle re-enactment at 1 p.m. at the Champlain Monument, followed by the parade at 2 p.m., which begins at the Elks Lodge on Cumberland Avenue.
BIG PARADE
Booth said the parade will feature more than 60 entries, with four brass bands, two fife and drum corps and many other musical and non-musical marchers.
The theme of the parade this year is "Women in U.S. History," and World War II veterans Marie Beemer and Dorothy Lacombe will be honorary grand marshals.
"It really is more of a military parade, and I've always liked military parades," Booth said. "They are so inspiring."
Visitors can also grab a meal of period food and drink at the popular Israel Green Tavern in the basement of Trinity Church.
CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
New this year will be several demonstrations of 19th-century arts and crafts, with some being interactive.
Visitors will be shown how to write with a quill pen, weave fabric and use other tools of the period.
Also new will be Wycinaki paper cuts and silhouettes, a traditional art form from Poland. Veteran artist Carolyn Guest will carve silhouettes with sheep shears in a short period of time.
BUTTON BOOSTS BUDGET
A commemorative button, which can be purchased for $10, will get visitors into most events. The sale of the buttons is a major contributor to the celebration budget.
"Our budget is $82,000 this year, and the sale of these buttons really helps defray that cost, so we would really appreciate people purchasing these buttons," Booth said.
The buttons, as well as hats and T-shirts, will be on sale on the lawn next to City Hall during the celebration.
This year's button features artwork from Morrisonville Elementary School student Ashley Orzech, who won the poster contest. Cassie Kellaway from Saranac Elementary School took second place, and Laura Farrell, also of Morrisonville, took third place.
Information of all commemoration celebration events can be found at www.battleofplattsburgh.org.
AWARENESS
While event organizers want people to enjoy the events and have a good time, the message of the battle is still the most important feature of the celebration, said Co-Chairman Gary VanCour.
"This was probably one of the most strategic battles in our country's history, and it does not get the recognition that it deserves.
"Our goal is to get more and more people aware. I know it can be slow, but hopefully, little by little, it will grow until we reach the 200th anniversary."
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
