BLAST FROM THE PAST
The War of 1812 may seem like old news, but not to Plattsburgh residents, who take time out annually to celebrate the 1814 naval battle that drove the British out of Lake Champlain and turned the tide in the United States’ favor. Ten-dollar buttons yield admission to most of the week’s activities, including re-enactments of land and lake skirmishes, a parade featuring early 19th-century fife-and-drum music, and a fancy dinner followed by a period-dress English country dance. Military-minded kids muster with toy muskets, and participants in a “cannonball” fun run get commemorative medals. To show that Canada harbors no hard feelings, Toronto-based band Enter the Haggis (pictured) blends bagpipes with bluegrass, Celtic rock and agitpop at a Friday night concert on the steps of City Hall.

Battle of Plattsburgh Festival, Wednesday through Sunday, September 5-9, various Plattsburgh, N.Y., locations, times and prices. Info, 518-563-4375. www.battleofplattsburgh.org