Essex “Burning of the Ships” Day Coming Up

The “worst day in Essex history” will be commemorated during the annual Burning of the Ships Day on Saturday, May 14, from 1:00 to 4:00.

The festivities kick off with the annual parade, presented by the Essex Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife & Drums corps. The Sailing Masters will be joined by other regional fife and drums corps as they march down Main Street to the Connecticut River Museum, where they will perform a short “muster.”

Activities will take place on the Connecticut River Museum lawn and docks, including children’s games and historic re-enactments, all honoring the 1814 attack that destroyed the privateer vessels in Essex. All lawn activities are free to the public.