Heritage Festival Organizers recently selected Andrew Clock as a co-coordinator, and Heritage Committee members are working on a War of 1812 Bicentennial theme for this August’s event.
“We will continue to grow the history education aspect of the festival, and with it children, family, and community friendly activities,” Clock said, in an email.
“At the same time, the Heritage Festival has always been about a good community party, and to that end we will be refocusing our entertainment, casino and beer garden to appeal to a bigger audience with Michigan beer and popular local bands.”
Volunteers are still needed for committee chair positions and festival services during the event, which will run Aug. 17-19.
“The Heritage Festival coincidentally falls on the 200th Anniversary of General William Hull’s surrender of Detroit,” Heritage Committee Chair James Mann said.
“There was no Ypsilanti in 1812, but something happened here during the War of 1812, that had a relationship with how the situation was developing in Detroit at that time.”
In a little known incident involving a supply train, which was blocked by the British, hundreds of men were advised to go to Godfrey’s Fur Trading Post, prior to the surrender. Godfrey had a chain of trading posts, including one in Monroe, which may have led to some confusion among historians and perhaps the soldiers themselves.
According to historical accounts, those men were reportedly stuck in a swamp approximately 25 miles outside of Detroit, which may have been located between Canton and Ypsilanti, on Michigan Avenue - a salt trail at the time, Mann said.
They also encountered Native Americans along the way. The Heritage Committee will flesh-out the story at Heritage Fest.
Festival organizers are recruiting volunteers and War of 1812 reenactors.
“We want to bring back the living history encampment,” Mann said. “That’s the thing people seemed to have missed most from the festival over the years.”
French fur traders and Native Americans are two types of reenactors, specifically sought by the committee.
“Although, if Civil War reenactors want to come, they will be welcomed with open arms, as will all reenactors,” Mann said.
The Heritage Committee is also looking for artisans to put on demonstrations to the public, which will focus on the heritage of the local area.
“We’re still working on getting things together. We’re still exploring a number of ideas,” Mann said. “I’m very lucky I have a very active committee.”
Anyone interested in getting involved with the festival should contact Clock at YHFDirector@gmail.com.
“We would also like to invite youth and community groups interested in being a part of the festival,” Clock said.
In addition to leading the Heritage Committee, Mann is also an accomplished author. After publishing “Wicked Ann Arbor” last September, he is currently working on another book.
Mann will host a “Wicked Ann Arbor” talk at Cobblestone Farm, open to the public, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.
On Monday nights Mann conducts a Huron Valley Toastmasters’ public speaking leadership skills workshop, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Archives. Guests are invited to attend.
Mann will also periodically present films at the Archives, starting in March, on at 7 p.m. on Fridays. Admission and popcorn is free.
Rachelle is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
“We will continue to grow the history education aspect of the festival, and with it children, family, and community friendly activities,” Clock said, in an email.
“At the same time, the Heritage Festival has always been about a good community party, and to that end we will be refocusing our entertainment, casino and beer garden to appeal to a bigger audience with Michigan beer and popular local bands.”
Volunteers are still needed for committee chair positions and festival services during the event, which will run Aug. 17-19.
“The Heritage Festival coincidentally falls on the 200th Anniversary of General William Hull’s surrender of Detroit,” Heritage Committee Chair James Mann said.
“There was no Ypsilanti in 1812, but something happened here during the War of 1812, that had a relationship with how the situation was developing in Detroit at that time.”
In a little known incident involving a supply train, which was blocked by the British, hundreds of men were advised to go to Godfrey’s Fur Trading Post, prior to the surrender. Godfrey had a chain of trading posts, including one in Monroe, which may have led to some confusion among historians and perhaps the soldiers themselves.
According to historical accounts, those men were reportedly stuck in a swamp approximately 25 miles outside of Detroit, which may have been located between Canton and Ypsilanti, on Michigan Avenue - a salt trail at the time, Mann said.
They also encountered Native Americans along the way. The Heritage Committee will flesh-out the story at Heritage Fest.
Festival organizers are recruiting volunteers and War of 1812 reenactors.
“We want to bring back the living history encampment,” Mann said. “That’s the thing people seemed to have missed most from the festival over the years.”
French fur traders and Native Americans are two types of reenactors, specifically sought by the committee.
“Although, if Civil War reenactors want to come, they will be welcomed with open arms, as will all reenactors,” Mann said.
The Heritage Committee is also looking for artisans to put on demonstrations to the public, which will focus on the heritage of the local area.
“We’re still working on getting things together. We’re still exploring a number of ideas,” Mann said. “I’m very lucky I have a very active committee.”
Anyone interested in getting involved with the festival should contact Clock at YHFDirector@gmail.com.
“We would also like to invite youth and community groups interested in being a part of the festival,” Clock said.
In addition to leading the Heritage Committee, Mann is also an accomplished author. After publishing “Wicked Ann Arbor” last September, he is currently working on another book.
Mann will host a “Wicked Ann Arbor” talk at Cobblestone Farm, open to the public, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.
On Monday nights Mann conducts a Huron Valley Toastmasters’ public speaking leadership skills workshop, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Ypsilanti Archives. Guests are invited to attend.
Mann will also periodically present films at the Archives, starting in March, on at 7 p.m. on Fridays. Admission and popcorn is free.
Rachelle is a freelance writer for the Ypsilanti Courier. She can be reached at rachellefmarshall@gmail.com.
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