This Saturday, May 12, Governor Dannel Malloy comes to Essex Village to take part in events marking the historic 1814 British raid on Essex.

The events begin at 2 p.m. with the annual Burning of the Ships Parade presented by the Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife & Drum Corps. Along with 14 other regional fife and drums corps, the Sailing Masters will march down Main Street to the Essex waterfront to perform a small muster and ceremony remembering the night when British troops rowed up the Connecticut River to the docks at the foot of Main Street and destroyed 27 ships during the War of 1812. 

Joined by First Selectman Norman Needleman, State Rep. Philip Miller, and Connecticut River Museum Executive Director Jerry Roberts, the governor will recognize the Sailing Masters for nearly 50 years of service in keeping Connecticut’s musical heritage alive. He will then officially proclaim Essex as a War of 1812 battle site with a presentation to the Connecticut River Museum for its efforts in researching and telling the story.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Connecticut River Museum will present re-enactors, Colonial weaponry demonstrations, and maritime games on its lawn while hosting community rowboat races off of its docks. At 5 p.m., the public is invited to join museum staff in the Burning of the Fleet exhibit gallery for a special evening of grog, rum and tales of the British raid. The program will end in time for the 8 p.m. start of the 3rd Annual Regency Ball hosted by the Sailing Masters of 1812 at Essex Town Hall.

For more information on the Sailing Masters of 1812, visit www.sailingmasters.org. For more information on the Connecticut River Museum, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269.