River Raisin National Battlefield Park, The City of Monroe, the 1812 Monroe Bicentennial Committee, the River Raisin National Battlefield Foundation and Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield, and the National Parks Foundation will be hosting a FREE and open Celebration of the Liberation of Frenchtown Bicentennial and – A Patriotic Tribute to America’s Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces on Saturday, September 28, 2013!
Everyone is invited to join the National Park Service in this commemorative event which will highlight the restoration of the Michigan Territory to the United States and the Liberation of Frenchtown (now Monroe). On September 27, 1813, Colonel Richard M. Johnson led U. S. forces across the Ohio border into the Michigan Territory, liberating it from British forces that had occupied it since General William Hull’s surrender in August of 1812, –all of this made possible by the United States Navy’s Victory in the Battle of Lake Erie.
Events start at 12 noon and include a period encampment, artists, artisans, musket and cannon demonstrations, military unit drills, refreshments and a viewing of a replica table used to sign peace documents, ending the War of 1812, sponsored by the Monroe County Historical Society. At 4 PM there will be a Musical Entertainment Extravaganza with performances by the Frenchtown Fiddlers, the Ida High School Band, the Monroe High School Band, the Bedford High School Band, and the Monroe College-Community Symphonic Band. The highlight of the celebration will be a FREE public performance by the Navy Band of the Great Lakes at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to bring their lawn chairs to the Battlefield and enjoy a fabulous patriotic concert performed by the “America’s Band” The U. S. Navy Band of the Great Lakes.
“We are deeply honored to host the U.S. Navy Band at America’s Newest National Battlefield Park, on this important Bicentennial. We are also grateful to Monroe’s many veterans who sacrificed to ensure that Michigan remained free and a part of the United States,” said Superintendent Bentley. Major Muskrat is expected to make an appearance during the concert. “After 200 years of work on the part of my ancestors to recognize America’s veterans and men and women of the Armed Forces I am extremely excited and deeply honored to be part of the Liberation of Frenchtown event,” said Major Muskrat.
Event parking is FREE and available just off E. Elm Avenue, East of Dixie Highway, at the City of Monroe Multi-Sports Complex, and if needed, at Hellenburg Park. A free shuttle bus is available from the Multi-Sports Complex and Hellenburg Park.
The Liberation of Frenchtown – A Patriot Tribute event has been made possible by the National Park Service and The City of Monroe and by grants from the Monroe County Bicentennial Committee, Monroe Intermediate School District, Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield, Monroe County Veterans and the National Park Foundation through the generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation.
