Tomorrow And This Weekend: Liberty Weekend Returns With A Bang

The cannons will be blasting on the lawn of the New Utrecht Reformed Church (18th Avenue and 84th Street), ringing in Liberty Weekend.

According to a press release, Liberty Weekend, which is sponsored by the Friends of Historic New Utrecht, will take place from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2 and feature Revolutionary and Civil War re-enactors, historical displays, lectures and the firing of a Civil War cannon.

All events will be free. Here is an itinerary of what to expect during Liberty Weekend from a press release:

The celebrations begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday when the InterSchool Orchestras Symphonic Band, conducted by Brian P. Worsdale, performs in the Parish House.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be devoted to history as the Parish House serves as the venue for a lecture and film. The lecture, presented by National Park Service Ranger Michael Callahan at 12:30 p.m., has the topic, “General and President Ulysses S. Grant.” The film, to be shown at 1:45 p.m., “General Howe: Conqueror of New York,” is about the commander of the British forces who captured New York in 1776.

Throughout the day, visitors can interact with Civil War re-enactors/historians from the 14th Brooklyn Regiment, Co. H, and with Revolutionary War re-enactors. Winslow’s Battery D will be demonstrating, and firing, its authentic 1863 Civil War cannon.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., historical exhibits and displays will be open to visitors in the Parish House, with special activities for children. Refreshments and baked goods will be available for sale.

Also on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friends of Historic New Utrecht president Dave Elligers will lead a tour of the colonial-era New Utrecht Cemetery at 16th Ave. between 84th and 85th Streets (entrance at 85th St.). A second tour of the cemetery will be given by Mr. Elligers from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Liberty Weekend is the only time during the year that the landmark cemetery is open to the public.

At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ceremonies will be conducted at the Liberty Pole on the church lawn, honoring the 230th year of the community landmark. The pole is the sixth to be raised on the site, the first erected in 1783 to celebrate departure of the British occupation troops.

All are invited to join the regular Sunday service in the New Utrecht Reformed Church, a member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), at 11 a.m. The pastor is the Rev. Terry Troia.

Persons interested in learning more about Liberty Weekend, New Utrecht’s landmarks and the history of the Town of New Utrecht are invited to call 718-256-7173, visit www.historicnewutrecht.org or Facebook.com/Friends of HistoricNewUtrecht, or inquire at mail@historicnewutrecht.org.