A spate of warm weather has softened the ice on Lake George, and the length of the lake is now a watery stretch of slush. It may support a few ice fishermen, but certainly not an army. That was not the case 261 years ago. In March 1757, 1,600 French Regulars, Canadian Militia and their Native Americans allies traveled down the lake from their northern position intent on seizing Fort William Henry. This March 23 and 24, French and Indian War Reenactors will gather at Fort William Henry to reenact this battle known as Vaudreuil’s Raid.
The Fort William Henry Museum will be open on Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with reenactors and learn about the battle, about life in a wilderness outpost and view the museum’s exhibits. Reenactment of the raid begins at 2 p.m. Civilians may get an embedded view of the battle from inside the fort or throw in with the French outside the fort’s walls. Organizers advise attendees to dress warmly as wilderness outposts can be quite chilly in March. The cost of admission is $5.
The weekend also includes a Sutler’s Fair, Reenactor’s Meet and New York State Craft Beverage Event. These will be held in at the Fort William Henry Conference Center on Canada Street. Sutlers (civilian merchants who travel with and provision armies) will be selling handmade goods common to the French and Indian War era. Reenactment groups will be on hand to discuss reenactment and to recruit anyone interested in joining a unit. The Sutler’s Fair and Reenactor’s Meet will be held March 23, 3 – 6 p.m. and March 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free.
March 24, noon – 4 p.m., several area craft beverage producers will be displaying, offering samples and selling their goods at the Craft Beverage Event. Visitors may speak with producers and learn about the workings of breweries, wineries and distilleries. Producers attending this new event include Adirondack Brewery, Argyle Brewery, Lake George Distillery, The Saratoga Winery, Racing City Brewing Company, Gristmill Distillers and Amorici Vineyard. Admission is free. Attendees must be at least 21-years-old.
The weekend’s events will close Saturday with a buffet dinner and silent auction to benefit the French & Indian War Society. The Society, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, works to educate the public about the French and Indian War era and its importance in the history of the United States. The all-you-can-eat buffet will be held in the Conference Center’s Albany Room, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The dinner is open to the public. The cost is $15 per person. The evening will include a silent auction of items from local businesses. For reservations and information, call (518)668-5471 or (518)964-6648.