Annual commemoration the city's biggest of the year

PLATTSBURGH — Gary VanCour says this year's Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration will be bigger and better than ever.

"I say there's something there for everybody ... and it goes on all week," VanCour said Tuesday afternoon during a news conference announcing the week-long lineup of events.

"We have a historical event, but we also have a music event, and I hope people will take advantage of it."

MAJOR EVENT
VanCour, co-chair of the Commemoration Committee, said the attractions will run Sept. 5 through 13, featuring more than a dozen concerts with music ranging from folk and brass to country and soft rock.

The 12th-annual commemoration will also offer dance events, traditional period food, kids' games, museum tours, street entertainment, fireworks and the popular weekend parade and 1814 encampment.

"It's a major cultural event for our region," VanCour assured.

Committee members are also bringing back a past crowd favorite, the Plucky Rooster Contest, and the Sept. 12 5K and 10K Cannonball Fun Run on the Old Plattsburgh Air Force Base Oval.

POSTER CHILDREN
This year, Kelsey Hulbert took first place in the annual poster contest, with her artwork being featured on the $10 events admission button.

The Plattsburgh 10-year-old's poster was selected from more than 300 entries submitted from across Clinton and Essex counties.

Jacob Mossey, 10, of Altona and Danilo Nocher, 9, of Peru took second and third place, respectively.

The three winners will have their posters on display at the Battle of Plattsburgh Museum through the next year.

Kit Booth, who co-chairs the Commemoration Committee, thanked volunteers and financial donors for making the event possible.

"We couldn't do this without the financial support of all these folks. It just boggles my mind how generous the community has been."

The event typically costs about $90,000 to run and received a first-time grant this year through the Lake Champlain Basin Program.

VOLUNTEERS
VanCour credited the many volunteers for organizing and participating in the growing event.

"It's a large, dedicated team that work year-round on this project. It's amazing how many people contribute to make this happen.

"And this year it looks like it's going to be larger than ever."

He said the commemoration is held to honor the sacrifices of those involved with the Battle of Plattsburgh and War of 1812.

Plattsburgh City Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the commemoration is the biggest annual celebration in the city.

"This is the premiere event."

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com