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Annual Essex Burning of the Ships Commemoration on May 14

The Essex Burning of the Ships Commemoration Parade and Concert takes place on Saturday, May 14. The parade, comprised of 10 fife and drum corps, steps off from the Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue, at 2 p.m. and wends its way along Main Street to the town landing and grounds of the Connecticut River Museum.

The public is invited to view the parade, gather for the concert, visit the museum, and patronize the shops and restaurants along Essex’s Main Street. The concert begins with the Sailing Masters playing the National Anthem, followed by each participating corps performing a tune or short medley.

The commemoration event marks the British raid on Essex ships and shipyard on April 8, 1814, during the War of 1812, when the United States suffered the largest naval loss until Pearl Harbor. The Sailing Masters continued an oral tradition started by Austin Lay, who witnessed the raid and told the story to schoolchildren until his death, at 93, in 1891. The Sailing Masters have become the keepers of this small part of U.S. history and annually mark this historic event with a parade and concert at the location of the British raid.

The public may visit the Connecticut River Museum (admission required) to learn more about the Essex Burning of the Ships. For more information, visit facebook.com/SailingMasters.