American Bus Association (ABA) Names Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend one of North America’s Top 100 Events for 2012

Plattsburgh, NY – 11/16/11 – The American Bus Association (ABA) recently announced the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend as a 2012 Top 100 Event in North America.  Inclusion in the Top 100 list, according to ABA, recognizes the quality entertainment and authentic experience the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend offers to groups - and individual travelers - from around the world.

ABA’s Top 100 Event Selection Committee selected the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend from hundreds of nominations for its broad appeal, accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups and a variety of other criteria. “The attractiveness of the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend as a ‘don’t miss event’ is only part of why its selection is such a distinction for the Adirondack Coast,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO.  “The honor gives the Adirondack Coast an important boost in visibility among tour planners.” 

About the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend
Visitors to the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend can expect to step back in time and relive this pivotal battle during the War of 1812 with:

• Live battle re-enactments on land and water
• Authentic military encampments
• Memorial ceremonies and historical tributes
• Historic lectures and costumed story tellers
• 19th century kids games
• Live music
• An old-fashioned parade
• The Macomb Ball featuring English Country Dancing
• Tours of the Kent-Delord House Museum, a former British headquarters
• Tours of the Battle of Plattsburgh Interpretive Center and War of 1812 Museum

This annual event draws visitors from as far away as England and closes off much downtown Plattsburgh.  “With the bicentennial of the War of 1812 approaching, it is important for us to focus our energies on commemorating this important time in our history,” commented Kristy Kennedy, Group Marketing Specialist for Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.  “We will use the Top 100 designation to promote the bicentennial commemoration and leverage its worldwide appeal to attract more groups and motorcoaches.”   

Kit Booth and Gary VanCour, co-chairs for the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee stated, “The Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee has been coordinating the annual September commemoration of the Battle of Plattsburgh to help raise public awareness of this most strategic conflict.  Our committee is very pleased to see the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend receive the Top 100 Event honor and we look forward to increased awareness about the Battle of Plattsburgh and the War of 1812.”  

New Programs Offered in 2012
In addition to the comprehensive calendar of events already in place, the bicentennial will bring with it new and exciting activities including:

Storytellers at Local Restaurants – Reenactors will be on hand dressed in period attire and recount their days on the battlefield. 
Reenactor Bootcamps - The Battle of Plattsburgh/War of 1812 Museum has partnered with a local reenactors group to offer visitors to experience life as it was 200 years ago. 
War of 1812 Interpretive Trail – Featuring eight wayside signs all commemorating important landmarks. 
                  Dewey’s Tavern, Champlain, NY
                  Pike’s Cantonment, Plattsburgh, NY
                  Culver Hill, Beekmantown, NY
                  Halsey’s Corners,  Beekmantown, NY 
                  Kent-Delord House, Plattsburgh , NY
                  Underground Railroad - the Melancton Smith Home, Plattsburgh, NY

Information on the Battle of Plattsburgh Bicentennial or Commemoration Weekend can be found at champlain1812.com.

Upcoming Commemoration Dates:
September 7-9, 2012
September 8-10, 2013
September 9-11, 2014 

Historical significance of the Battle of Plattsburgh
In September of 1814, more than 10,000 British regulars, many fresh from victories in the Napoleonic Wars, invaded northern New York from Canada while the Royal Navy advanced along Lake Champlain. Their intent was to reach New York City and divide an infant nation in two.  But 25 miles south lay the village of Plattsburgh and Cumberland Bay defended by 32-year old General Macomb’s 1,500 regulars and a small American fleet commanded by Commodore Thomas Macdonough, only 30 years old himself. On the morning of September 11th the armies clashed in tiny Plattsburgh with Sir George Prevost in command of the redcoats.  At that same hour, the British fleet rounded Cumberland Head where they met the anchored Americans poised and ready.  But a dying wind left the British unable to maneuver their ships giving the out-gunned American ships the advantage.  Within three hours the British colors were struck and their commander lay dead. Seeing his fleet defeated and lacking information about the strength of American ground forces, General Prevost withdrew his troops north.  The unlikely American victory thwarted British plans to control Lake Champlain and led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent and the end of the War of 1812 on Christmas Eve 1814. This was the last war fought between English speaking nations.

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About the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau
The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1994 as the official tourism promotion agency for the travel and tourism industry in Clinton County, NY. Based in Plattsburgh, NY, the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau contributes to the county's economic development and quality of life by promoting the region as a destination for leisure and group travel with a particular focus on history, agriculture and outdoor recreation including cycling, paddling, fishing, boating and skiing. For more information about Clinton County tourism, please contact the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau at 518.563.1000 or visit goadirondack.com.