SACKETS HARBOR — The village will hold its War of 1812 weekend as the nation celebrates the bicentennial of the conflict’s beginning.

“People all over are really going to hear a lot more about Sackets Harbor and its primary role in the War of 1812,” said Constance B. Barone, the site manager for the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site. She said the events are expected to draw hundreds of Canadian visitors to the area.

The festivities will start today with a free program from Pulitzer prize-winning historian Alan Taylor on Hill Street. A book signing will go from 5 to 6 p.m., followed immediately by an open lecture.

On Saturday, re-enactors will gather at the battlefield site on Hill Street for inspection at 10 a.m. and demonstrate period military skills until noon. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. for a memorial honoring the approximately 50 Crown Forces soldiers killed during the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor.

Tactical demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend, with a land and water presentation at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and a land-fighting demonstration at noon Sunday. Aiding in the water demonstration Saturday will be the Canadian brigantine Fair Jeanne, which measures 110 feet in length.

In addition to the demonstrations and reenactments, the village also will host several other authors and period-themed children’s activities.

The events will go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

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