Saratoga County Looks Ahead to 250th Anniversary of America’s Turning Point

As the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations are concluding, Saratoga County is looking ahead to 2027 for a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga. 

“This year’s been full of all sorts of ceremonies and fireworks displays across the nation as we honored the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Saratoga County Historian, Lauren Roberts. “But here in Saratoga, we like to say that the declaration was just the beginning. It would be another seven years of war before the Treaty of Paris was signed, and until the words on that document became a reality.”

As part of the lead up to 2027, legislation introduced by representative Eliese Stefanik to rename Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield Park has passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting President Trump’s signature. 

This name change, proponents argue, better articulates the events which took place in autumn of 1777, and later became memorialized as the turning point of the American Revolution. 

“British General John Burgoyne’s objective was Albany, and he advanced all the way down from Canada and came so close, he could taste it,” said Roberts. “But what stood between his arm and his objective was Bemis Heights, an army of continental soldiers and militia that were fighting for something more than sixpence a day.”

To commemorate the quarter-millennia anniversary of the first surrender of a British army in history, Saratoga County is preparing for an influx of national and international visitors.

In 1927, for the 150th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, over 100,000 people gathered on the battlefield, perhaps the largest gathering in New York State until Woodstock. 

In 2027, in anticipation of increase in tourism, Saratoga 250 organizers are planning a larger and expanded Saratoga Siege Festival in 2027 which will include:

• Battle of Freeman’s Farm 250th Anniversary at Saratoga National Historical Park, September 18 & 19, 2027

• Battles of Saratoga 250th Commemoration; a two-day Battle Reenactment & Living History Event, October 9 & 10, 2027

• Turning Point Parade and Surrender Day Ceremony celebrating the 250th anniversary of General Burgoyne’s surrender to General Gates, October 17, 2027.

The expanded 2027 celebrations will provide opportunities to draw even greater attention to the historic communities, sites and stories associated with the Battles of Saratoga while strengthening the region’s position as a destination for history, heritage and cultural tourism.

For more information, visit www.saratoga250.com.