The Burning of Kingston, the every-other-year celebration of the city’s Revolutionary War heritage centered around Kingston’s destruction by ravaging Redcoats in October 1777, is off for 2019, organizers said Monday, December 17.
“Following the decision by many regional re-enactor groups to attend other, better funded and supported events during the same weekend, it is with great sadness that we announce that the planned 2019 and future Burning of Kingston events have been canceled until further notice,” organizers posted on Facebook. “The decision was reluctantly arrived at by the all-volunteer organizing committee, a collection of local peer non-profit organizations and supporters.”
“Another Brexit,” quipped a local wit upon hearing the news.
Mayor Steve Noble said Tuesday that he hoped the Burning could somehow be reignited.
“This news was a surprise to me, and I was sad to hear it,” Noble said. “The Burning of Kingston is a hugely valued event, and I definitely want to see it continue. The city has been supportive of this event in many ways — our previous city clerk had participated on the committee, arranged the use of Citibus, Parks and Recreation provided space and support, and City Hall was used for the gala.”
Continued Noble, “I am disappointed that the large-scale event won’t happen in this specific format, but I look forward to working with our local partners to make sure that the Burning of Kingston event stays a part of our community for years to come. I invite anyone who would like to pick up the mantle to reach out to the city to discuss how we might support continuing this important tradition.”
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