Victory Season at Saratoga: Surrender Day Ceremony

The Surrender Day Ceremony is an annual event marking the 249th anniversary of the American victory at the Battles of Saratoga. Hosted by the Town of Saratoga, the Village of Schuylerville, the Saratoga County 250th American Revolution Commission, and the Campaign for Saratoga 250, the ceremony invites students, families with young children, and the community to take part in a living history experience.

Date: October 16, 2026
Time: 9:45 AM
Location: Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville

The event commemorates the 1777 surrender of British General John Burgoyne to American General Horatio Gates, on the ground where British troops laid down their arms. The program features children's music, ceremonial toasts, cannon firings, reenactments, and traditions, including:

• Students portraying British soldiers in the Grounding of the Arms, using wooden muskets
• Presentation of the National Colors, tentatively by the New York National Guard
• Lowering of the British flag and raising of the American flag
• Cannon firings throughout the program
• Patriotic songs performed by students
• Sword surrender reenactment
• Keynote address on General Henry Knox and leadership in crisis
• Presentation of the General John Patterson – Supervisor Thomas Wood IV Saratoga Teaching Excellence Award
• Laying of wreaths in honor of those who fought
• The traditional 13 Toasts to the American Victory, with cannon fire

The ceremony focuses on engaging students and young people with history. Weather permitting. If the event is cancelled due to weather, updates will be posted on the event's website and social media. Parking is available at Fort Hardy Park near the youth center and municipal ball fields.

Coordinator: Sean Kelleher, Saratoga Town Historian and Saratoga 250 Vice Chair.