After being called off earlier this year when the re-enactment groups around which it was centered got, as mercenaries will, better offers, the Burning of Kingston will indeed happen, but in a new format.
According to a press release from Kingston mayor Steve Noble’s office, the event will take place Oct. 18-19.
The city will sponsor the event. There will be no battles. But there will be, stated the release, “re-enactments of colonial life, cemetery tours, a historical lecture, a documentary screening, and children’s games like the beloved Bucket Brigade at the Volunteer Firemen’s Museum.” Additions may come later, stated the city.
“One of the things that makes the burning of Kingston such a unique moment in history, was not the battle or the fire itself, but the rebuilding that the community did after,” said Mayor Noble. “This year’s Burning of Kingston will be a great opportunity for area residents and visitors to learn about the history and to also celebrate how the first capital came together to rebuild the City and its community.”
The city has formed a Burning of Kingston Planning Committee. Interested volunteers can contact city Director of Communications and Community Engagement Summer Smith at (845) 334-3945 or at ssmith@kingston-ny.gov.
Businesses interested in participating or supporting the 2019 Burning of Kingston should contact city Director of Art and Cultural Affairs Adrielle Farr at (845) 334-3929 or at afarr@kingston-ny.gov. Updates will be posted to www.burningofkingston.com and the city’s website.
Join the family! 
