3rd Annual Rochambeau Festival Marches On Yorktown This Weekend

YORKTOWN, NY — The Rochambeau Festival will return for a third year to commemorate the important role that French General Rochambeau and his army played in helping America gain independence from Great Britain.

Organizers say that the festival, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, is an immersive experience that aims to teach visitors about the Revolutionary War and Franco-American Alliance events in U.S. history. Attendees will be able to learn more about Generals Rochambeau and Washington, the locations of the encampments in New York, and what important events took place in Westchester and Rockland Counties.

The Rochambeau Festival is produced by the Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission (YHPC) and the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route — New York, Incorporated (W3R-NY), in partnership with the Yorktown Grange P of H #862.

"We are excited to produce a festival where everyone can dive into the history that happened right here in our backyards and learn about the crucial role that Rochambeau and the French Army played in aiding Washington and the Continental Army in the fight for our independence," said Lynn Briggs, Chair of YHPC/Yorktown 250/W3R-NY.

Families will have the chance to join an encampment setup, drill with model muskets, make colonial crafts, see animals like oxen, and learn to make butter, cheese, bread and candles.

A short bus tour from Rochambeau Park will take visitors on a guided tour of Yorktown's historic encampment sites. In addition to a History Hunt with a chance to win a prize, guests will also be able to wander about the spacious grounds, visit exhibits and enjoy French and American food and beverages.

The two-day festival will take place at Rochambeau Park, also known as the Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds, located at 99 Moseman Road in Yorktown Heights. The site is one of five locations where French forces camped in Yorktown in 1781, known then as Crompond. It was dedicated to General Rochambeau on September 18, 1954.

"We are proud to help create state, county and local awareness of Rochambeau Park, this historic Revolutionary War site," said Mark Franks, Grange Master.

The festival will run on both days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost is $15 per car for parking.

Find out more information about the Rochambeau Festival here.