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Sackets Harbor Turns Back Clock to 1812 this Weekend

WAER | By Chris Bolt

Published July 30, 2015 at 3:52 PM EDT

People have a chance to get a glimpse of history – and be part of it – in Sackets Harbor this weekend. The annual reenactment of the War of 1812 will have cannon fire, tactile standoffs, artillery shells and an English country dance.

(EVENT TIMES LISTED BELOW)

Over the past 11 years site manger Connie Barone has seen the assortment of dedicated re-enactors grow, while visitors can mingle with people from the time.

“I think the visitors truly just enjoy wandering and strolling through the tests, the camps and talking to the reenactors individually and learn about what it is that is so significant about the war of 1812 history and all learn about hat daily life.”

Event offers real-life setting of the time more than two centuries ago

This year they’ve added an authentic formal English Country Dance to the schedule of events, in which the audience can participate and immerse in the culture of the times.

"These are going to be reenactors in period costumes, as well as the musicians accompanying them. This is very much audience participation, so people who are visiting our event to see how the dances are done, they can learn how to do them and they can join in.”

Barone also previews an annual favorite.

"Our visitors of course always love to see the tacticals. This is when the opposing forces face each other on the field. So we have the crown forces being the opposing forces and then we have the American forces…and then the allies attached to either the British and Canadians or the Americans.”

The military reenactments include troops, artillery and a boat in the harbor.

The tactical military exercises include firing of period cannons . They take place Saturday morning involving a ship in the harbor, Saturday afternoon with a land skirmish, and Sunday another land exercise. Barone counts on a growing group of re-enactors, which she says is an expensive hobby they take very seriously.