Celebrate our nation’s birthday
Join us in historic Vincennes for an unforgettable year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! As Indiana’s premier Revolutionary War site, we’re pulling out all the stops with monthly guest speakers, thrilling reenactments, delicious period-inspired food, and plenty of surprises along the way. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for fun with the family, there’s something for everyone as we bring the past to life and honor the spirit of 1776 all year long. Come relive the Revolution—only in Vincennes! Vincennes Revolutionary War History
Connect with our Revolutionary War History
The Battle of Fort Sackville, fought in February 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, was a pivotal victory for the American forces. Led by Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, a small group of frontiersmen and militia marched through harsh winter conditions to surprise the British-held fort in Vincennes, Indiana. Using clever tactics, including deception to exaggerate the size of his force, Clark convinced British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton to surrender without a prolonged fight. The capture of Fort Sackville secured the Northwest Territory for the Americans and boosted morale, making it one of the most important frontier victories of the war.
2026 Calendar of Events
All 2026 events are tentatively scheduled, and may change in theme closer to the date, however we will update this website as events get closer!
- May 1 – Light Up United (Nationwide event). Add lights to properties and decorate with Red, White, & Blue through July 4.
- May 1, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk, downtown
- May 1, 6-7 pm – History Tours, May 9 Downtown, Theme – French History
- May 1, 8:30 pm – Outdoor Movie Night Apollo 13, Patrick Henry Square, free
- May 2 & 3, 10 am – 5 pm – WWII Remembrance Days. Two full days of Axis and Allied reenactor troops, vehicles, living history, anti-tank & tank demos, uniform & weapons presentations, military vehicles & food vendors at Indiana Military Museum
- May 9, 2-3 pm – Knox County Library Second Saturday Speaker Series “Revolutionary War and the French Connection” at Knox County Public Library with Knox County Library with Bailey Hacker Powell and Richard Day.
- SATURDAY, May 23, 2026: The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous https://www.spiritofvincennes.org/
- All day watch as craftsmen demonstrate skills of the 18th century creating items that are both utilitarian and artistic. Visit merchants selling wares that would have been available to early residents. Witness entertainers performing shows and music from the early part of our country’s history. Food vendors create tasty dishes that will take you back in time. A full weekend of activities and things to do and see is awaiting your family.
- MAIN STAGE – SATURDAY 10:30 Traveler’s Dream / 12:00 L’Esprit Creole / 2:30 Father, Son, and Friends / 4:30 Hogeye Navvy
- LA GALARIE – SATURDAY 10:30 Strolling Singers / 11:30 Daniel Boone / 12:30 Silas Moore, Rat Catcher / 1:30 Strolling Singers / 2:30 Scoundrel’s Alley- Games / 3:30 Arle Lommel, Hurdy Gurdy
- SACKVILLE STABLES – SATURDAY 11:00 Abigail Adams / 12:00 Thomas Paine / 1:30 Benjamin Franklin / 3:00 Martha Washington
- OLD CHERRY TREE – SATURDAY 11:00 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer / 1:30 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer / 3:00 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer
- FAIRE WYNDS CORNER – SATURDAY 10:30 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist / 1:00 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist / 4:30 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist
- BATTLEFIELD – SATURDAY 10:00 Oxen Demonstration / 11:00 Voyageurs Fife and Drum / 11:30 Tippecanoe Ancient Fife & Drum / 12:30 Artillery Demonstration followed by battlefield games / 1:00 Battle / 2:00 River Valley Colonial Fife & Drum / 3:30 Artillery demonstration followed by battlefield games / 4:00 Battle
- CHILDREN’S AREA – SATURDAY 10:00 Adam Clark, Storyteller / 10:30 Talk with a Soldier / 11:00 Children’s Needleworking with Mrs. Amber / 12:00 Voyageur Fife & Drum / 12:30 Corn husk doll making / 1:30 Adam Clark, Storyteller / 2:00 Children’s Needleworking with Mrs. Amber / 3:00 Voyageur Fife & Drum / 3:30 Talk with a Soldier / 4:00 Corn husk doll making
- CLARK MEMORIAL GROUNDS – SATURDAY / 10:30 MORNING TROOP AND VETERANS SALUTE / 11:00 Sons of the American Revolution ceremony & Rivet 6th Grade Ensemble / 12:00 Massed Field Music of the NWTA Camp Tours – meet at GRC Grounds / 3:00 18th Century Military Fashion Show / 3:30 CamTours – meet at GRC Grounds / 3:45 18th Century Civilian Fashion Show / 4:30 Colonel Webb’s Band of Music / 5:30 Evening Colors / Troop Parade
- BOTH DAYS Food booths will offer a variety of taste tempting treats. Many visitors returning to the Rendezvous come simply to enjoy the foods. Food cooked over an open fire adds to the flavor and aroma of this 18th century gathering. A sampling of items available are listed below. All foods served during the Rendezvous must be reminiscent of the time and all food must be prepared in accordance with state health regulations and includes:
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms/Homemade Pork Rinds – Franklin Heights Church
- Pork Chops Sandwich/Fried Pickles – St. Francis Xavier Parish
- Cookies & Lemon Shakeups – Masons
- Fried Fish Sandwich/Hushpuppies– Marine Corps League
- Chicken Lollipops – Victory Church
- Spiced Lemonade/Sun Tea/Gallettes – CFS
- Shish Kebab/Elk Brats – Soul’s Harbor Church
- Crick Fried Taters – Abundant Life Church
- Sausage/Brats/Frenchwurst/Polish Sausage – Christian Education Foundation
- Strawberry Shortcakes & Ice Cream – Thursday Church
- Chicken & Dumplings/Homemade Ice Cream/Raspberry Tea – United Pentecostal Tabernacle
- Bread Pudding – First City Sunrise
- Farmers Lunch / Oatmeal – Wabash Valley Progressives
- Beignets/Pulled Pork/Ribeye Steak Sandwiches – Boy Scouts Troop 210
- Turkey Legs – Apostolic Lighthouse Youth
- Roasted Corn On the Cob – Vigo Elementary P.T.O.
- BBQ Chicken Breast Sandwich/Potato Wedges – Apostolic Lighthouse
- All day watch as craftsmen demonstrate skills of the 18th century creating items that are both utilitarian and artistic. Visit merchants selling wares that would have been available to early residents. Witness entertainers performing shows and music from the early part of our country’s history. Food vendors create tasty dishes that will take you back in time. A full weekend of activities and things to do and see is awaiting your family.
- SUNDAY, May 24, 2026 Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous https://www.spiritofvincennes.org/
- MAIN STAGE – 10:00 Worship Service with Rev. Dennis Latta / 11:00 Traveler’s Dream / 12:00 Hogeye Navvy / 1:30 Father, Son, and Friends / 2:30 L’Esprit Creole / 4:00 L’Esprit Creole
- LA GALARIE – SUNDAY – 11:00 Silas Moore Rat Catcher / 11:30 Daniel Boone / 12:30 Strolling Singers / 1:30 Scoundrel’s Alley- Games / 2:30 Strolling Singers / 3:30 Arle Lommel, Hurdy Gurdy
- SACKVILLE STABLES – SUNDAY – 11:00 Abigail Adams / 1:00 Benjamin Franklin / 2:00 Thomas Paine / 3:00 Martha Washington
- OLD CHERRY TREE – SUNDAY – 11:00 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer / 1:00 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer / 4:00 Rodney the Younger, Colonial Conjurer
- FAIRE WYNDS CORNER – SUNDAY – 10:30 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist / 1:00 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist / 3:30 Virginia Scites, Glass Harpist
- BATTLEFIELD – SUNDAY – 10:30 Oxen Demonstration /11:00 River Valley Colonial Fife & Drum / 11:30 Artillery demonstration followed by battlefield games / 12:30 Battle / 1:00 Tippecanoe Ancient Fife & Drum / 2:30 Voyageurs Fife & Drum / 3:00 Artillery demonstration followed by battlefield games / 3:30 Battle / 4:00 Voyageurs Fife & Drum
- CHILDREN’S AREA – SUNDAY – 11:00 Adam Clark, Storyteller / 11:30 Voyageur Fife & Drum / 12:00 Children’s Needleworking with Mrs. Amber / 1:00 Corn husk doll making / 1:30 Talk with a Soldier / 2:00 Adam Clark, Storyteller / 2:30 Children’s Needleworking with Mrs. Amber / 3:00 Voyageur Fife & Drum
- CLARK MEMORIAL GROUNDS – SUNDAY 10:00 MORNING COLOR CEREMONY / MUSTER OF TROOPS / 1:30 18th Century Civilian Fashion Show / 2:00 Camp Tour- meet at GRC Grounds / 2:30 Colonel Webb’s Band of Musick / 4:00 Camp Tours – meet at GRC Grounds / Photography Contest Awards – GRC Grounds / 4:30 Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corp, River Valley Colonials Fife and Drum Corp. & Voyageur Ancient Fife and Drum Corp. – in front of Memorial / 5:00 Evening Colors / Troop Parade
- June 5, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- June 5, 6-7 pm – History Tour, Theme – History of Vincennes. Downtown
- June 5, 9 pm – Outdoor Movie, Shrek, Patrick Henry Square
- June 6, Noon – Wabash Valley Palooza, Kimmel Park.
- June 13, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series – Laughing with Lincoln. Lincoln impersonator Rod Stone. Red Skelton Museum
- June 17 – Vincennes’ Birthday
- June 26, 5 pm – Summer on Main 250th celebration events, Hamilton Sing Along, live music, food trucks, car show in collaboration with DVA, Downtown
- July 3-31, 5-8 pm – Spirit of America Art Show showcasing art of the theme. Northwest Territory Art Gallery, 316 Main
- July 3, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk, Downtown
- July 3, 6-7 pm – History Tour, Theme – Historical Markers, Downtown
- July 4 Independence Day Parade, Downtown with FIREWORKS!
- July 5, time TBD – Oath of Allegiance Project Dedication. A dedication of the monument to the signers of the Oath of Allegiance. Old Cathedral
- July 8, 6 pm – NATIONAL reading of the Declaration of Independence. Location TBD.
- July 11 at 2 p.m. Second Saturday Speaker Series “Revolution and Beyond” at Vincennes State Historic Sites
- July 11, 4 pm – Wheatland Lions Celebrate America’s 250th, Lions Niblack Park, Wheatland IN.
- July 18 & 19, 10 am to 5 pm – Vietnam Veterans Appreciation. his event honors and remembers Vietnam Veterans, welcoming them home when most did not receive the hero’s welcome they deserved. The weekend will include reenactments, guest speakers, music, vehicle & equipment displays. Military and food vendors available. Indiana Military Museum.
- Aug. 7, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Aug. 7, 7-8 pm – History Tour, Historical Markers by Vincennes State Historic Sites. Downtown.
- Aug. 7, 8:30 pm – Outdoor Movie, Downtown.
- Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. – Second Saturday Speaker Series “Institutions”
- Sept. 4, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk, Downtown.
- Sept. 4, 6-7 pm – History Walk. Downtown.
- Sept. 5 & 6, 10 am – 5 pm – Salute to WWII Veterans. Watch history come alive! We will have battle reenactments, military vendors, food & other activities to honor our veterans. Indiana Military Museum.
- Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. Speaker Series – History of 6 Flags Over Vincennes. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
- Oct. 2, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Oct. 2, 6-7 pm – History Tour. Downtown
- Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Second Saturday Speaker Series “Crime and Punishment”
- Nov. 6, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown
- Nov. 6, time TBD, History Tour
- Nov. 14, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series: Tecumseh – Panther Across the Sky. Vincennes State Historic Sites
- Dec. 4 Christmas Parade, Downtown.
- Dec. 4, 6-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Dec. 4, 6:30 – 9:30 pm – Candlelight Tours. Grouseland and Vincennes State Historic Sites
- Dec. 4-5 Christkindlmarkt in Downtown Vincennes
- Dec. 12, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series: Christmas Customs. Library or Grouseland / TBD.
Oath of Allegiance
On Sunday, July 20th, 1778, the people of Vincennes gathered after Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church. Dr. Jean Baptiste Laffont and Father Pierre Gibault, newly-arived from Kashakia, read a message from Col. George Rogers Clark asking for their support of the American Cause. That day 186 French citizens swore an Oath of Allegiance on the Gospels, kissed a crucifix and signed a copy of the oath. With this document Vincennes declared its independence from Britain and allegiance to the American Revolution.
As part of the 250th celebration, Vincennes will dedicate a monument to the patriots that signed the oath.
Sign Your Oath!
As part of the 250th push, we’re collecting signatures of those still dedicated to democracy and the call to freedom! Sign below to give permission for us to use your signature in promotional materials celebrating the 250th anniversary! If you provide your email, we’ll send you updates about events as the planning unfolds!
