Brain Fralic, chair of the Privateer Days Commissions says they wanted to incorporate the ties Queens County had in an interesting way, while still making it about history.
"We're trying to educate people as well," says Fralic
On Saturday, June 30 from 3 to 4 p.m., a commemeration of the event will take place at the Old Burial Ground by the fountain. During the event they will have Rosalee Peppard doing musical performances inspired by that time period, as well as stories being told of what happened during the three year long war. Admission is $10, and tickets will be available at the Information Booth in Privateer Park.
That evening, Lane's Privateer Inn is hosting a historical dinner around one of Liverpool's most famous Privateer Captains, Joseph Barss. Barss was the original owner of the building where Lane's now sits. Starting at 7 p.m., the dinner and wine tasting will feature period costumes and serve 19th century style cuisine. Sommelier Susan Lane will lead patrons through historic wine tasting pairing each course with wines from that time period.
On top of that, Captain Barss and his lovely wife Olivia, portrayed by Al Steele and Annette Burke, will host the evening.
Tickets are $75 each, which includes a four course meal and four wines paired with each course.
To cap off the 1812 theme, the geocaching event on Sunday will centre around War of 1812 facts. The event starts at 10 a.m., and teams can register at Lane's Privateer Inn prior to the start time.
History of the Liverpool connection
One of the most famous privateering vessels of the war of 1812 was the Liverpool Packet. In 1812, Captain Joseph Barss was the commander of the ship. In less than a year, he had captured at least 33 American vessels, most caught off of the coast of Cape Cod.
Barss and the Packet were captured in 1813, overpowered by a much larger schooner named the Thomas. After several months in prison, in which the American captors treated him very harshly, Barss was traded for a prisoner in Halifax and told to never command a privateering vessel again.
It was not the end of the Liverpool Packet however. Though it was sailed under the American flag for a time, the vessel was recaptured by the British later that year, and sold back to the original owner. Under the new command of Captain Caleb Seeley the Packet captured another 13 ships by years end.
