Some 40,000 people are expected to converge upon Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield for an air show in June that will highlight a "Centennial Week" celebration of the founding of Northern New York's Army post.
A march of soldiers from Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor to Fort Drum and a carnival atmosphere being arranged for a Watertown Wizards weekend at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds also are on the calendar, with other events running from June 21 to 29.
An observance that began in August with historic displays at Fort Drum and the Jefferson County Historical Society resumes with activities in March as the military and civilian communities band together to mark the 100th year of the Army's presence on what was initially called Camp Hughes.
It was in 1907 that the New York National Guard first broke ground on terrain known as Pine Plains. The following year, regular Army troops were introduced to the region for maneuvers, with Gen. Frederick Dent Grant, son of President Ulysses S. Grant, raising the flag over Pine Camp on July 15, 1908.
This year's events were outlined Monday at a meeting of the Fort Drum Centennial Planning Committee, chaired by Karen K. Delmonico, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce.
Terry A. Byard, emergency disaster planner at Fort Drum, announced that a two-day air show, June 28 and 29, will feature the Dan Buchanan Flying Colors Airshows from Dayton, Nev., the Iron Eagle Aerobatics Team from Canaan, Conn., and Great Barrington, Mass., a "jet dog" fighting team and a special operations parachute team. Negotiations for other air acts are under way, Mr. Byard said.
The shows each day will last about four hours, he said. Civilian traffic will be funneled on roads leading directly to the airfield, where parking areas will be established. State police and the state Department of Transportation will assist in providing easy access and exit for motorists, he said.
No traffic will be passing through the rest of Fort Drum, he said, and security measures will be taken at the airfield.
The march from Madison Barracks to Fort Drum commemorates a march long ago, when troopers paraded down Arsenal Street and through Public Square. But this march may not even touch Watertown. The two-day, 26-mile hike begins June 23 and tentatively is routed to pass through Dexter and Brownville, Mr. Byard said.
Watertown City Manager Mary M. Corriveau suggested, however, that the route could take in Coffeen Street, with an overnight encampment at the fairgrounds.
The Wizards have lined up what Paul A. Simmons, team president, called "a kind of a carnival" June 21 and 22. A U.S. military all-star baseball team based in California will play the Wizards as well as a team expected to organize at Fort Drum, he said. Baseballs with the centennial logo will be distributed. There will be a tournament of media softball teams, at least 31 vendors will be operating booths, and fireworks displays will conclude activities, he said.
Re/Max Realty and Northern Federal Credit Union are the main sponsors of the Wizards weekend, he said.
The schedule, to which additions may occur, is as follows:
■ March 15: Living history event, French and native raiding party at Fort La Presentation, Ogdensburg.
■ March 16: Living history event moves to the Indian River and Black River portage of Fort Drum, with related exhibits at the 10th Mountain Division Historical Collection site.
■ May 14: Armed Forces Day luncheon in Watertown.
■ May 17: Armed Forces Day parade in Watertown.
■ June 7: Historical marker dedication at Madison Barracks and concert of historic music, same location.
■ June 11: Interpretive marker dedication at the original Pine Camp site.
■ June 14 and 15: Military history timeline, "250 Years of Soldiers," at Fort Drum.
■ June 19: Riverfest becomes Centennial Fest at Alexandria Bay.
■ June 21 and 22: Wizards Weekend.
■ June 23 and 24: March from Madison Barracks; Mountain Fest warrior competition at Fort Drum.
■ June 27: Salute to the Nation at the airfield, featuring country music and fireworks, and introduction of the Centennial Beer.
■ June 28 and 29: Air show.
■ July 3: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks at Thompson Park.
