2011 Schedule . . .

The Burning of Kingston (October 17, 1777), Kingston, NY

October 14-16, 2011

Hosted by the First Ulster County Militia, the Queen’s 16th Light Dragoons & the City of Kingston, NY

This is an invitation to participate in the Burning of Kingston Reenactment sponsored by the First Ulster County Militia, the Queen’s 16th Light Dragoons and the City of Kingston, NY. The Burning of Kingston will take place on the third weekend in October – Friday October 14th to Sunday October 16th. in the City of Kingston

Previous years have drawn up to 300-500 reenactors and 10,000 spectators and with all the new changes we’ve made this year we expect even more. We are especially getting a most positive feedback from the British Brigade and are expecting a major British turnout. In 1999, Glen Cunningham of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards was quoted as saying “This is the most fun I’ve had in my 15+ years of reenacting and Kingston is truly the Williamsburg of the North” With the popular, more rural location of the encampment, additional nautical activities than last time, the additional battles as well as the enhanced advertising and promotion, we are expecting the largest turnout of both reenactors and public to date. We hope you too will be included.

We are planning an extended reenactment with more and hopefully, more interesting scenarios than in years past. For those of you who did attend last year, you will remember that we had to curtail many of the events due to the unusually bad weather - we had to deal with a Nor'easter, although predictions that were far worse than what we actually had to contend with did severely limit attendance causing more than 50% of registered participants to cancel. And we do apologize to anyone who was inconvenienced with the unprecedented flooding of our parking lot. A freak combination of tides, full moon and strong north wind conspired to make parking a challenge, at best. These problems have been allowed for, and, although it is highly unlikely that the same combination of circumstances will repeat, we are certainly ready for it should it occur.

The encampment will be in the same park as the last couple of years and the camp will open for setup all day on Friday Oct. 14. Sailors, as usual will encamp on or near the beach with their boats. There is a launch ramp available at the far end of the beach for launching boats. This year we are bringing back the popular battle in the Uptown streets during which troops battle through the actual streets through which the British army advanced in 1777 to burn the town past many of the same historic buildings that were standing then and were burned.

Briefly the schedule for the weekend is as follows:

• Friday: Arrival & set up in camp. Ground troops on the park and naval forces on the beach.
• Friday 7:30 pm - Committee of Safety meeting at Hoffman Tavern (one of the 18th century dwellings actually burned during the attack)
• Saturday 10:00 am landing of the British Troops on Kingston Point Beach supported by naval artillery . British troops will establish beach head under fire from the local militia and begin to push back . Troops, when the ground has been secured will begin their march (about a mile or so) to the Waterfront where they will engage the force of the Kingston and Ulster militia. At the same time, Kingston's gunboat, Lady Washington (portrayed by the Pettiauger Mercury) will be pursued by the British fleet in the Creek adjacent to the street battle as the fleet attempts to capture or destroy her. The battles will conclude and participants are free to mingle with visitors or return to camp via the trolley.
• In the afternoon, there will be a "surprise" attack on the British camp by the recently defeated Kingston Militia.
• Saturday Evening 7:30-10:30 (or so) The popular Grand Ball will be held in the elegant council chamber in the restored City Hall building on Broadway where the victorious General Vaughn will be honored (or reviled) to period music and dancing, refreshments and merriment.
• Sunday- As civilians flee the city to take refuge to the West, Troops will gather for the street battle in the Uptown Stockade district where opposing forces will fight in the actual streets and among the actual houses the British army burned in 1777. On the waterfront, for those wishing to witness it, naval forces will stage an unscripted battle to demonstrate 18th century naval tactics and maneuvers.

We usually get a good assortment of sutlers and there will be food concessions as well.

We have placed an order for better weather than last time (it couldn't have been much worse) so we are expecting a good turnout all around.

For Sutlers: For this event there are two categories of Crafter/Sutler:

Sutlers Row will be, as usual, at the entrance to the camp. All participants and visitors will have to walk through the sutler’s row to get to the encampment.

1. Period Crafter/Sutler: This is for those who portray a crafter of sutler and are 100% period correct. This means that your booth, including display tables, coverings price markings, containers and all goods or services are period correct. This includes your personal appearance, etc. These people will be considered part of the overall program and will be allowed to set up for free on the 18th century side of camp. We expect that you will demonstrate your talents and require that you give a period representation as a crafter/sutler to the public. As a part of the program you are entitled to receive the same benefits as the reenactors – including any discounts, meals, transportation, amenities, etc. Blanket sales are welcome as well.

Please do not interpret your suitability loosely. Sutlers who do not fit in the 18th century camp will be required to move.

2. Non Period Crafter/Sutler: This is if you do not fit the criteria above. (Modern tables, prices, clothing, etc) This crafter/sutler area will be in close proximity to the camp with easy access to the public. As this category is not considered part of the program, there is usually a $25 set up fee, however we are waiving the fee this year so there will be no charge.

Please fill out the enclosed form and mail, or email it with proof of insurance (participants from 2009 do not need to include insurance proof) to Gene Tozzi at the address below by June 30, 2011. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or write us at the numbers below.

Your Humble Servants,

Gene Tozzi gene@gtozziphoto.com
Dean Barnes TheTavernKeeper@hotmail.com
Event Coordinators Representing the First Ulster County Militia and the City of Kingston

Online Registration forms:
These registration forms are the applications for attendance at the 2011 Burning of Kingston. If you have attended in the past, you can be assured there will be no review process and you will be accepted and recieve the information packet and final schedules when thay are available no later than the late Summer.

If you have not attended in the past, we will review your application and decide on a case by case basis. We are merely checking for legitimacy and accuracy in impression and no legitimate Unit should have any problem whatsoever. If we have any questions we will be sure to contact you.

We apologize for any inconvienence this may cause. Putting these forms on the website opens them up to any one with an internet connection and we want to be certain that we know those with whom we will be dealing are legitimate members of the reenactor communtiy. Thank you for your cooperation.

For more information or pdf versions of the forms, please visit the First Ulster web site, or contact Dean Barnes (TheTavernkeeper@hotmail.com) or Gene Tozzi (HD18thCent@aol.com).