The weekend of August 17th was a very special event.
The Kentucky Governor Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution hosted the Memorial Service for the 242nd Anniversary of the Battle of Blue Licks.
Artist rendition of the Battle of Blue Licks compliments of Wikipedia
This event took place at the Blue Licks Battlefield State Park in Carlisle KY. The location address for future is 10299 Maysville Road, Carlisle KY.
Memorial wreaths at the base of the Blue Licks Monument with national, state and local flags
This was a National Color Guard event. SAR chapters far and wide were invited to participate. Many chapters and patriotic groups presented flags and wreaths. Color Guard members were invited to participate in the flintlock musket salute.
Cincinnati SAR Scott Freeman (R)
Saturday August 17th was the main event, however the festivities started on Friday PM “The Night Before Blue Licks” where there was a social time and Revolutionary War Program covering the Battle of Blue Licks. A performance of fife and drum music playing historic American Revolutionary War tunes was also provided. There was tours of the Pioneer Museum.
Cincinnati SAR Mike Gunn
Cincinnati SAR Gary Duffield presents arms to honor fallen patriots
Color Guard posting colors at the base of the Blue Licks monument
On Saturday, the event covered a couple of bases including a National Color Guard event, a SAR 250th event and a SAR Historic Sites and Celebrations Committee Event.
There was also a Grave Marking ceremony at the Battle of Blue Licks event.
A short video of the changing of the guard at the Battle of Blue Licks monument:
The service started at 10:00AM Saturday led by the Color Guard posting colors.
Color Guard with national, state and local flags
The Color Guard performed a flintlock musket salute to fallen patriots.
Color Guard flintlock musket salute
Below is a quick summary of the events scheduled over this weekend:
- SAR Fife and Drum presentation – Friday, 16 August (Blue Licks Encampment area)
- Reception – Friday, 16 August (Blue Licks Lodge)
- KYSSAR Luncheon & State Meeting – Saturday, 17 August (Blue Licks Lodge)
- Blue Licks Battle Reenactment – Saturday, 17 August (Blue Licks State Park)
- Patriot Grave Marking – Saturday, 17 August (Blue Licks State Park)
- SAR Historic Flag presentation – Sunday, 18 August (Blue Licks Encampment area)
- Patriot Grave Marking – Sunday, 18 August (Lexington)
Additional information can be found on the Kentucky Society website at https://kyssar.org/battle-of-blue-licks-weekend/ .
Special Thanks to Bruce Bennett for taking photos of the event.
Thanks to Cincinnati SAR members Scott Freeman, Mike Gunn, Gary Duffield and Bruce Bennett for participating in this event.
This event was extremely well organized and executed.
