The Peru Gazette

October 10 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Reenactor Encampment & Living History

Plattsburgh City Beach

Visit with re-enactors as they recreate the Revolutionary War experience of gathering and making ready for battle.

October 10 | 11:00 am

Dedication of the Battle of Valcour Island Interpretive Center

Peru Boat Launch, Rte 9 south of Plattsburgh

The new Battle of Valcour Island Interpretive Center at the Peru Boat Dock, Route 9, south of Plattsburgh, will be officially unveiled on Saturday, October 10, at 11:00 a.m. as part of the Battle of Valcour Island Signature Weekend events. Geri Favreau, Chair of the Clinton County America250 Committee, will welcome guests to the weekend’s events. New York State Senator Daniel Stec, representing the 45th Senate District, will offer greetings on behalf of the Senate, and Assemblymember Michael Cashman, representing the 115th Assembly District, will welcome attendees on behalf of the New York State Assembly.

Robert Daley, regional forester for Region 5 Forest Preserve Management of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will discuss the partnership that led to the creation of the Interpretive Center and the area’s history as a National Historic Landmark. The Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will share the history of the Arnold monument, and Town of Peru Supervisor Craig Randall will be recognized for contributing the Center’s flagpole. John Rock of American Legion Posts 1619 and 912 will conduct the official raising of the flag donated by the Legion Post 1619.

Following the official opening of the Center, Arthur Cohn, Nautical Archaeologist and Research Associate of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, will lead a memorial recognizing the veterans who died in Valcour Bay, with Historian George Quintall reading the names of the fallen. Commemorative wreaths will be laid in honor of both the American and Crown forces followed by an honorary volley on land by American Legion Posts 1619 and 912 with a volley on water by representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution. The ceremony will conclude with music performed by Bill Long.

The Interpretive Center was created with support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Peru, American Legion Posts 1619 and 912, and the Clinton County Historical Association and a grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

October 10 | 7:00 pm

Navy Band Northeast’s Pops Ensemble (Free Admission)

Glitz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh Campus

The performance is part of the weekend commemorating the Battle of Valcour Island. The 30-member ensemble brings together Navy wind and percussion musicians for a concert spanning patriotic favorites, traditional wind band literature, and Broadway showstoppers. Its public concerts feature narration and typically run 60 to 90 minutes.

October 11 | 10:00 am

The 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island

Plattsburgh City Beach, Plattsburgh

Starting at 10 am with the US Navy Band Ensemble Northeast is the 131st commemoration of the Battle of Valcour Island by the Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution followed by the fully narrated reenactment of the Battle in the bay.

October 11 | 2:30 pm

Memorial Service

Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel, 100 US Oval, Old Base, Plattsburgh

Memorial service in honor of those who died in the Battle of Valcour Island.