The Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial Celebration in late August through September 10, 2013 will bring together hundreds of thousands of people from the U.S., Canada and abroad.
The two-week Celebration will include a large fleet of Tall Ships in an historic reenactment of the Battle of Lake Erie, a grand Parade of Sail and Port Festivals in waterfront cities in the U.S. and Canada. Visitors will be able to tour the Ships, enlist as Crew Members in the reenactment, or be part of the Bicentennial Fleet or Militia. (Click the Get on Board tab above for details.)
Along with Tall Ships activities, surrounding days will include a series of exciting events to commemorate the Bicentennial, including:
- National Speakers
- Marching bands
- Fireworks
- Concerts
- Parade of Boaters
- International Freedom Celebration
- Food,
- Entertainment,
- Arts & Crafts
- Solemn ceremonies to honor the fallen
- Historical Activities
Official invitees will include representatives from the U.S., British and Canadian governments as well as Native American Indian groups. It will be an epic Celebration for Ohio, the Great Lakes region and our nation.
Plan to join us for the Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial Celebration and sign up here for updates.
Lake Erie ports look to host tall ships in 2013
Published: Monday, January 02, 2012, 11:49 AM Updated: Tuesday, January 03, 2012, 9:04 AM
By Associated Press
CINCINNATI -- Ports along Lake Erie in northern Ohio, Michigan and Canada are hoping to be selected as hosts for tall ships traveling to the lake in 2013 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the U.S. victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie.
At least 10 ports already have applied to host the sailing vessels during the two-week bicentennial celebration beginning Labor Day weekend in 2013. The event is expected to draw thousands of people to Lake Erie, said David Zavagno, chairman of the bicentennial committee for the volunteer, nonprofit Perry Group, which is organizing the event.
The celebration will commemorate the Sept. 10, 1813, battle in which Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led more than 500 sailors to a victory over the British Royal Navy. That victory secured U.S. control of the Great Lakes in the War of 1812 and helped establish the current border with Canada.
"If the outcome had been different, it would have significantly altered the geography of the United States and western expansion," Zavagno said. "This celebration is an opportunity to share that history with children and adults and remember the courageous sailors who fought in the battle."
The committee hopes at least 15 tall ships will participate in the battle re-enactment near South Bass Island on Sept. 2, 2013.
The ships will stay at host ports prior to the re-enactment. And organizers have visited potential places to assess water depth and docking capabilities. They will announce their selections this spring after determining which ships will participate.
The ports, which hope to benefit economically from the expected tourism, will have to pay fees required by the ship or ships they host. Charges by the independently-owned vessels can range from roughly $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the ship, Zavagno said. Host ports also must hold a festival featuring tours of the ships and other activities.
Lorain Port Authority director Rick Novak said he's hopeful its application will be accepted. Tall ships have previously docked there. And Novak said he believes private donors and local foundations would help provide funding.
"This is a unique opportunity to highlight the historical aspects of Lake Erie, and people from all over love to see the tall ships," Novak said.
Mayor Debbie Hymore-Tester of Port Clinton is also optimistic. The city probably would have to rely on private donations, but a tentative sponsor is already lined up to help if Port Clinton is chosen, she said.
A private yacht and country club also applying hopes to make it an event for all of Catawba Township.
"We think people need to know about the battle that helped create this country," said Mike Schenk, general manager of the Catawba Island Club.
Planning isn't complete, but the celebration will begin Aug. 30, 2013, with the tall ships sailing in a parade around Lake Erie's western basin before heading to their host ports.
The U.S., British and Canadian navies and representatives of their governments -- including the U.S. president and Queen Elizabeth II -- will be invited to participate in the celebration. The commemoration will conclude Sept. 10 with a wreath-laying ceremony at the battle site.
The Source for Navy News
110910-N-WP746-350 PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (Sept. 10, 2011) The color guard assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) leads the parade group through the town of Put-in-Bay. Lake Erie is in Put-in-Bay to commemorate the 198th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie wherein Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry led nine United States Navy vessels to defeat and capture six vessels of Great Britain's Royal Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)
Lake Erie Sailors Celebrate Battle of Lake Erie
Story Number: NNS110911-03
9/11/2011
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico,
Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) arrived at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, to commemorate the 198th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10.
Invited by the Perry Group, a volunteer non-profit organization based in Put-in-Bay, 10 Lake Erie Sailors joined the town residents and hundreds of visitors from Canada and surrounding American states to celebrate Put-in-Bay Historical Weekend, Sept 9-11. Put-in-Bay is a small island in Lake Erie off the coast of Ohio.
"It is an honor for me, and for the Sailors of USS Lake Erie that you see here, to be invited every year to celebrate and reflect on the events that took place in this historic harbor," said Capt. William Johnson, Lake 's commanding officer of Lake Erie. "It was here, on this day so long ago, that a decisive battle was fought, that the tide of war was turned, and the United States Navy won the advantage over the British in the War of 1812, a defining moment in United States history."
The Battle of Lake Erie was fought Sept. 10, 1813. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led nine U.S. Navy ships that defeated and captured six British Royal Navy ships. The battle is considered to have been a turning point in the War of 1812.
To kick off the festivities, Johnson, Lake Erie Sailors, local politicians, business leaders and special guests boarded Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Neah Bay (WTGB-105), to travel to the very spot the battle took place in Lake Erie.
A small ceremony was conducted aboard the cutter which included a wreath laying service as Cmdr. Jeffery Plummer, chaplain, said a few words in honor of those who fought that day.
"As we lay a wreath we remember the sacrifice, we remember the bravery of those who fought, of those who died and those who were wounded," said Plummer. "As we stand now, 198 years later, we don't know the stories of the men who fought, died and wounded that day, but the very fact that we are standing here today, says that they did not die in vain that we stand here free."
During the festivities, Lake Erie Sailors' honor guard team participated in several events including a parade; multiple public engagements with local boy scouts and the public; and ceremonial flag detail activities.
"I feel honored," said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joseph Reboja, who is part of the honor guard. "I enjoyed the hospitality of the people here."
Reboja and some his shipmates, took time to help local children construct Lake Erie's coat of arms during an arts and crafts activity at the Put-in-Bay Visitor's Center.
Also during the festival, several National Park Service rangers and volunteers dressed up in 1812 uniforms. Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class (SW) Dustin Ueltschy and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (SW) Lance Easton stood side-by-side with 1812 military reenactors to give an audience a comparison with Sailors then and now.
Ueltschy told the audience that today's Navy still uses some of the same navigation techniques as they did back in the old days.
Johnson and his crew were very thankful for the Perry Group for making it possible for the Lake Erie Sailors to come to Put-in-Bay to participate in the historical festival.
Kay Drake, the vice president of the Perry Group, said she believes it is important to continue to keep alive the accomplishments of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. In association with the National Parks Service, the Perry Group help raise funds to educate and improve the memorials dedicate to the accomplishments of Perry.
"I know that the reason we are part of the USA and not Canada is because of that battle, said Drake. "We were so proud when the USS Lake Erie was named."
Drake said it is important for Lake Erie Sailors to come to Put-in-Bay and learn about the history behind the name of the ship.
Today, a beautiful Greek Doric column, the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, stands at the central hub of the island. The 352-foot granite shaft, built in 1915, commemorates not only a naval battle, but a peace which has lasted for 198 years between Britain, Canada and the United States.
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.
Thursday, September 15, 2011 Posted by Rich Norgard
Commemorating the 198th Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie
On Saturday I posted a pic of the wreath ceremony held out in Lake Erie to commemorate the 198th anniversary of Oliver Hazard Perry's famous victory, and promised to post some more, so here they are.
There was a light rain Saturday morning as I headed to the Miller Boat Line dock at the end of Catawba Island to catch the ferry to Put-in-Bay, so I feared the worst. In the end, though, it was a near-perfect day for what we had to do, the heat of the sun kept at bay by a cloud cover, and after some light drizzle the rain did not return.
Once on South Bass Island (where the town of Put-in-Bay is located), I caught the bus into town and walked the short distance to the Jet Express dock. There the Perry Group had a table set up to check off the invited attendees as they arrived. I was given a name tag and told to go on board the Neah Bay. This is a large U.S. Coast Guard Cutter and a beautiful ship. A large group of us was soon assembled, several dozen at least, and we were herded on board.
On the aft deck a petty officer briefed us on where we could and could not go on board. I finally met Dave Savagno who is the driving force behind the Perry Group's ambitious effort to coordinate a D-Day-sized Bicentennial worthy of the hero of Lake Erie himself. The wreath-lay ceremony seemed to be a dry run, of sorts, for the much elaborate series of events slated to take place two years from now. Aside from garnering the cooperation of the Coast Guard, Dave brought on board representatives of the National Park Service, leaders from the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, and even a bona fide member of the Patawatame Tribe in Michigan.
We chugged slowly out of the bay and into the open waters of Lake Erie where we picked up steam. Once we were well under way, two guys with the National Park Service on Put-in-Bay, dressed in period costume as U.S. Marines, talked about the Battle of Lake Erie. (above photo) Their talks were informative and put everyone in the mood for the ceremony to follow. Many people are not aware that, with a shortage of sailors (this was true of both sides), Perry took whomever he could get. Among the more then 500 manning his ships were native Americans, militiamen, Army soldiers, and U.S. Marines.
About ten miles out we idled to a stop and the ceremony began with the Coast Guard Commander reading the names of some of the men who died 198 years ago out on the lake. Then native American from Michigan came out and explained what he was about to do. He had fashioned his own wreath to place in the water, a design based on the traditional 'medicine wheel.' (photo below)
After reciting a blessing in English, he sang a traditional native song. The crowd of people on that ship found it very moving. (photo below)
When he had finished, Dave Savagno and another member of the Perry Group brought out their wreath and after another brief blessing, tossed it over the rear of the ship into the lake. (photo below) As a final tribute, everyone present was asked to toss a flower into the lake after the wreath. The head of the Park Service contingent on Put-in-Bay handed out the white flowers and a line formed at the rear of the ship.
It was a moving ceremony and has come to be an annual event for the last several years now. In the coming weeks I will provide details of the proposed plans for the Bicentennial celebration, which promises to be one of the biggest single event (actually, series of events) the north shore has ever seen.
Oliver Hazard Perry's 1813 victory commemoration Saturday to include 9/11 observance
Published: Sunday, September 04, 2011, 8:44 PM
By James Ewinger, The Plain Dealer
PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio -- The bicentennial may still be two years away, but Put-in-Bay will commemorate Oliver Hazard Perry's 1813 victory next weekend with an eye toward the big event.
Festivities at and around the Perry Victory and International Peace Memorial will mark the crucial U.S. victory over the Royal Navy and include the laying of a wreath 10 miles out on the lake on Saturday, more or less on the site of the battle.
Blanca Stransky, the National Park Service superintendent at the memorial, said many of the details will resemble the annual observation of the historical event, but this year and next will have a few added elements. This year the role of American Indians will also be highlighted, and next year, the Navy will be the focus.
Because the weekend falls on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, those events also will be remembered.
Perry's victory is noteworthy for several reasons, including the fact that it is the only time in history that an entire Royal Navy squadron was captured. That ensured U.S. control of Lake Erie for the remainder of the War of 1812. The victory came at a time when there was significant disagreement within the federal government as to just what kind of Navy our young nation needed.
The Cleveland-based Coast Guard cutter Neah Bay will transport the dignitaries and wreath to the designated spot this year.
The actual bicentennial, however, promises a full-fledged fleet, according to David Zavagno, chairman of the Perry Group Bicentennial Committee.
They are hoping for 18 tall ships, said Patti Lock of Tall Ships America, who is in charge of recruiting the vessels for the bicentennial.
They expect the U.S. Brig Niagara -- replica of the vessel from which Perry fought the final stages of the battle -- along with the schooners Pride of Baltimore II, Friends Good Will and Privateer Lynx.
A Canadian contingent could include three brigantines, two-masted warships that tended to be a bit smaller than the three-masted barks. A replica of HMS Bounty may also be on the 2013 roster, Lock said.
The bicentennial will be produced by a partnership of the Park Service, the Perry Group and the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Stransky said the Perry Monument itself is closed for a lengthy restoration project that the park service hopes to have completed by 2012. She said the visitor center is still open, and Zavagno said every amenity associated with the island resort is expected to be open next weekend.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011 12:17 PM
Bicentennial celebration begins
Sept. 10, 2011, marks the 198th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie when Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and his sailors defeated the British Navy to secure the Great Lakes region for the U.S.
once and for all. This fight, one of the major battles of the War of 1812, is celebrated each year at Put-in-Bay during Historical Weekend. But with the 2013 bicentennial approaching, a much bigger celebration is kicking off.
The Perry Group, a registered charity organization dedicating to supporting Perry’s Victory International Peace Memorial, is planning a massive celebration to celebrate the 200 years of peace.
“We are engaging the entire region in our efforts to remember this day in history and to salute our freedom and sovereignty,” said Dave Zavagno, a Perry Group board member. “We expect thousands of people to attend — not just from the region but from across America, Canada and overseas.” Zavagno said the group hopes to secure some serious star-power to help promote the event mentioning such names as Tom Hanks and Colin Powell.
“It’s going to take two years of hard work to get awareness out there,” he said. The celebration will begin the Friday of Labor Day weekend in 2013 when a group of tall ships will assemble near Monroe, Mich. The Parade of Sail will then continue as far east as Cedar Point before dispersing to cities around the western Basin — including Put-in-Bay and Port Clinton — to dock for the weekend.
Other features organizers hope to feature for the Bicentennial celebration include fireworks, a flyover from the Goodyear Blimp, air show and concerts by nationally known artists. Another feature will be a reenactment of the historic Battle of Lake Erie. According to Zavagno, 557 sailors have been identified from the original battle and hopes are each will be replaced with current people. The organization will sell these spots for $2,000 to $5,000 as part of fundraising efforts. The bicentennial organization expects to raise $1.5 million for the celebration through corporate and other sponsorships, underwritings and through the registering of 1,000 U.S. pleasure craft and their owners symbolic members of the U.S. fleet. Partipants will be able to register for $50 each and will be given numbered certificates that embody Perry’s line: “Don’t Give Up the Ship.”
For information about the Battle of Lake Erie Bicentennial, contact the Perry Group, 25 Town Hall Plaza, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, at 419-285-2804, or visit www.battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com.
Historical Weekend
WHAT: Historic Weekend is a time to remember and honor the brave sailors who despite being outnumbered defeated the British in a pivotal battle that shaped the future of the United States of America. Events include a Grand Parade, War of 1812 Encampment, demonstrations, Boy Scout Camporee and more.
WHERE: Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9-11
INFO: 419-285-2184
Perry's memorial readies for 200th anniversary
7:23 AM, Sep. 12, 2011
PUT-IN-BAY -- It was a typical historical weekend at the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.
Still undergoing renovations, the monument is the site for a large Boy Scout campout. Re- enactors set up tents, and although the weather precluded a demonstration of firing cannons, they still drilled with muskets and fired them.
The monument was a hub of activity over the weekend -- which will be a comparative drop in the bucket compared to 2013, when the National Park Service site commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.
Museum and Put-in-Bay officials announced the start of plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, a conflict that is remembered by many for the date it took place, the burning of the White House and the inspiration for "The Star-Spangled Banner," but little else.
"We're happy to be commemorating the War of 1812 together," said Jessie Darmon, project coordinator of the war's bicentennial for the town of Amherstburg, Ontario, Put-in-Bay's sister city. "We're trying to make the events inclusive. It's about education. It's about learning our history."
President James Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812, but the causes of the war go back further than that, from British impressment of U.S. sailors, British giving guns to American Indians while they were fighting the United States, British trade restrictions on the Atlantic while they were at war with French Emperor Napoleon and American expansionist sentiment, into the Northwest Territory -- including what became Ohio in 1803.
Blanca Alvarez Stransky, superintendent of the memorial, said that next year, on the bicentennial of the declaration of war, local residents -- in Put-in-Bay, Port Clinton and other cities in Ohio -- could potentially see town criers announcing the declaration of war.
American forces invaded Canada, while British forces, based in Amherstburg, attacked Detroit, which surrendered in August 1812.
The next year, British and American Indian forces laid siege to Fort Meigs in what is now Perrysburg. Forces then marched to what is now Fremont to try to take Fort Stephenson.
About a month later, the British navy was repelled by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie, leading to the British withdrawal from Detroit and effectively ending the war in Northwest Ohio.
Stransky said the bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie will be full of activities.
She said that Kevin Bernhardt, a Hollywood actor and screenwriter, toured Put-in-Bay while doing research for a proposed movie about Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie, tentatively titled "We Have Met the Enemy," taken from Perry's message to Gen. William Henry Harrison after the victory: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours."
"The hope is that the film will be released in 2013," Stransky said. "Right now, they're just getting research."
Also in 2013, she looks forward to the release of the Ohio National Park quarter. The U.S. Mint is releasing quarters commemorating national parks in each quarter, and the Ohio quarter will recognize Perry's monument.
She said there will be 12 days of activities around the anniversary, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 10, 2013, including tall ships, wreath laying, a parade and various other education opportunities.
Email Vince Guerrieri at vguerrie@gannett.com.
