Old Fort Niagara Marks America 250 with a Grand Musket and Cannon Salute

Description

On Saturday, July 4 at noon, five hundred reenactors will gather atop the walls of Old Fort Niagara to perform a grand musket and cannon salute in honor of America’s 250^th anniversary. The salute will be part of the Fort’s 46^th annual French and Indian War Encampment, the historic site’s largest living history event of the year.

Known as Siege! 1759, the three-day event recreates the historic siege of Fort Niagara that took place in July 1759. During the 19-day siege, British forces captured the Fort from the French, ushering in a new era in American history. At the conclusion of the French and Indian War, Britain gained vast new territories but incurred huge debts and faced imperial challenges that led directly to the American Revolution.

The event begins on Friday, July 3 with a display of 18^th century military pageantry as British and French forces parade their regimental colors. This will be followed by firing five large cannons in the Fort’s 1756 Dauphin Battery. Fifes and drums then take the stage as reenactors and visitors alike march into the Fort. Once inside, visitors will encounter 22 acres of period artisans and merchants, many demonstrating skills of the era. At 2:00 p.m. British, French, and Native American forces will face off in a battle reenactment that demonstrates military tactics of the 18^th century. Friday’s program concludes with an artillery firing demonstration at 4:00 p.m.

On Saturday, July 4, programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with the firing of the Dauphin Battery followed by a fife and drum concert. At noon, reenactors will mount the Fort’s extensive walls to perform a grand feu de joie (firing of joy) in celebration of America 250. A feu de joie was an 18^th century ceremony involving rolling musket and cannon fire. Firings were often performed to mark a great military victory or alliance. In 2026, Old Fort Niagara’s feu de joie will mark our nation’s 250^th birthday at western New York’s only Revolutionary War era historic site. The siege continues at 2:00 p.m. with a battle reenactment followed at 4:00 p.m. by an artillery demonstration.

Sunday’s program will feature a reenactment of the Battle of La Belle Famille, an action that was fought on July 24, 1759. In that fight, French and Native American forces attempted to break through to relieve the siege of the Fort; but were stopped just a mile south of the Fort in a brief but bloody battle. The final battle of the event will take place at 2:30 p.m. as French forces are forced to cease resistance and give up the Fort. Surrender ceremonies will follow at 3:00 p.m.

During the weekend’s events, visitors will learn about British and French efforts to secure Native American alliances through two councils that feature dialogue in the original languages. The Fort will also present two harpsichord recitals in the 1726 French Castle on Friday and Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Guided tours recounting the events of the 1759 siege will take place throughout the event.

Event Schedule

Friday, July 3

• 10:00 a.m. Trooping of the Colors/Firing of five cannons from the 1756 Dauphin Battery
• 10:30 a.m. British Native Council/Sir William Johnson, Great Britain’s ambassador to the Haudenosaunee, negotiates with Native allies.
• 11:00 a.m. March into the Fort accompanied by fifes and drums.
• 1:00 p.m. Siege Tour: Discover the details of an 18^th century siege.
• 2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment- The Siege Begins
• 3:00 p.m. Harpsichord Recital in the 1726 French Castle
• 4:00 p.m. Artillery Demonstration/ British Bombard the Fort

Saturday, July 4

• 9:30 a.m. Dauphin Battery Cannonade
• 10:00 a.m. Siege Tour
• 11:00 a.m. Fife and Drum Concert
• Noon Grand Feu de Joie in Honor of America 250
• 1:00 p.m. Siege Tour
• 2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment: The French Counterattack
• 3:00 p.m. Harpsichord Recital in the French Castle
• 4:00 p.m. Artillery Demonstration/ British Bombard the Fort

Sunday, July 5

• 10:30 a.m. Battle of La Belle Famille
• Noon French Native Council
• 1:00 p.m. Fife and Drum Concert
• 1:30 p.m. Siege Tour
• 2:30 p.m. Battle Reenactment: The British Close In.
• 3:00 p.m. Surrender Ceremonies

More information is available at www.oldfortniagara.org or (716) 745-7611.