Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

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Special Event

Fee:

Free. All evening programs are free. Regular admission fees still apply when visiting the Star Fort during regular hours. The entrance fee to the Star Fort is $15 per adult 16 years of age or older. Children 15 and younger are free.

Dates & Times

Date:

Friday, September 13, 2019

Time:

9:00 AM

Duration:

7 hours

Type of Event

Children’s Program

Guided Tour

Living History

Partner Program

Talk

Description

Join us in celebrating Baltimore's oldest holiday as we commemorate Defenders' Day 2019 at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine! All weekend long, park staff and partners will offer programs and demonstrations to honor the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1814. This year visitors will experience three major eras of the fort’s history – the War of 1812, Civil War, and World War I. The weekend will also include flag raisings, fireworks, period music performances, and artillery firing.

We'll be kicking off the weekend-long celebration on Friday, September 13th at 7:00 pm with a parade through Locust Point. Saturday and Sunday will be packed with special ranger talks that highlight the fort’s history from 1812 to World War I, flag change programs, living history demonstrations, and a special fireworks display on Saturday evening. The United States Army Field Band, U.S. Army Drill Team, and the Fort McHenry Guard will perform on Saturday before a spectacular fireworks display in the evening.

Additional information about parking, recreational activities, and more is available here.

Friday, September 13

Park Hours of Operation
Park Grounds and Parking Lots: 9 am - 5 pm
Star Fort: 9 am - 4:45 pm
Visitor and Education Center: 9 am - 4:45 pm
The last showing of the orientation film will be at 4 pm.

Schedule of Events
Ranger programs will be offered all day.

7 pm: Neighborhood Defenders' Day Parade
Local residents and visitors alike are invited to kick off Defenders' Day weekend by cheering on National Park Service staff and volunteers during our annual parade! The parade will muster at the foot of Hull Street in Locust Point and march to Fort McHenry. The Fort McHenry Guard and other living history volunteers will highlight three of the fort's key time periods: War of 1812, Civil War, and World War I. Finding your park in your own back yard by cheering and waving flags as the parade passes through the neighborhood!

Saturday, September 14

There will be a full day of activities for visitors of all ages! Visit the historic Star Fort as National Park Service staff and volunteers recreate events from the morning of September 14, 1814, when the American defenders defeated the British Royal Navy in its attempt to attack the city of Baltimore! Assist a park ranger in raising the Star-Spangled Banner flag over the fort, a scene which inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the national anthem 205 years ago!

Park Hours of Operation
Main Gate and Parking Lots: 9 am - close of event
Visitor and Education Center: 9 am - 9 pm
Star Fort: 9 am - 4:45 pm
Park Grounds: 9 am - 5 pm

The last showing of the orientation film in the Visitor and Education Center will be at 7 pm.

Food from local vendors will be available for purchase inside the park on Saturday.

Schedule of Events
9:45 am: Living History Dress Parade followed by the morning flag change at 10 am.
10:15 am: Civil War artillery demonstration
11:15 am: "Home of the Brave" walking tour
12 pm: Fife and Drum music program
12:15 pm: Flag Talk
1:15 pm: "Home of the Brave" walking tour
2 pm: 1814 historical weapons demonstration
3:15 pm: "Home of the Brave" walking tour
3:45 pm: Living history evening formation followed by the evening flag change at 4 pm.

Evening Performance
5 pm: Opening remarks by the Military District of Washington followed by a performance by the Six String Soldiers.
5:30 pm: Army enlistment ceremony followed by performances by the Military District of Washington, including the Fife & Drum Corps and Drill Team.
6:30 pm: Fort McHenry Guard celebrates generations of service at Fort McHenry.
7 pm: Welcome and remarks by Park Superintendent Tina Cappetta. Congressman John Sarbanes will be honored with the "Key Award" by the Friends of Fort McHenry.
7:15 pm: Concert by the United States Army Field Band.
8 pm: Mock bombardment by the Presidential Salute Battery followed by a performance of the national anthem and fireworks display.

Sunday, September 15

Park Hours of Operation
Park Grounds and Parking Lots: 9 am - 5 pm
Star Fort: 9 am - 4:45 pm
Visitor and Education Center: 9 am - 4:45 pm
The last showing of the orientation film will be at 4 pm.

Schedule of Events
9:45 am: Living History Dress Parade followed by the morning flag change at 10 am.
10:15 am: Civil War artillery and 1812 Small Arms Demonstration
11:15 am: Flag Talk
12 pm: Fife and Drum music program
12:15 pm: Battle of Baltimore program
1:15 pm: Flag Talk
2 pm: 1812 weapons demonstration
2:15 pm: Ranger's Choice program
3 pm: Living history formation followed by evening flag change at 4 pm.