Groton — The Friends of Fort Griswold will hold a candlelight ceremony commemorating the 1781 Battle of Groton Heights at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Fort Griswold State Park on Park Avenue.

Inside the fort grounds, 88 luminaries — each representing an American casualty from the battle — will be placed, the group said in a news release. The names of the fort's defenders will be read aloud, and as each one is recited, a candle will be extinguished. The Sons of the American Revolution will lay a wreath on the spot where the American commander, Col. William Ledyard, was killed with his own sword, and a three-volley musket salute will be fired.

The ceremony will mark the 24th commemoration and memorial wreath-laying since the Friends of Fort Griswold revived the 19th century custom in 1995, according to the release.

The Friends encourage the public to attend the free ceremony and bring lawn chairs. The event will be cancelled if there is rain.