The tradition of honoring the Battle of Bennington is perhaps unique. The Bennington community has been celebrating the victory every year since 1778, just one year after the battle. Some celebrations have been particularly grand— in 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes participated, and in 1891, President Benjamin Harrison attended the dedication of the Bennington Battle Monument. Standing 306 feet tall, it remains the tallest man-made structure in Vermont.

Why is it called the Battle of Bennington?

It would be more accurate to call it the Battle for Bennington since the British aimed to seize a Continental supply depot located where the Bennington Monument now stands. However, the British raiders never reached their target. On August 16, 1777, just over the New York line, a combined force of Vermonters, militiamen from surrounding states under General John Stark, and the Continental regiment of Green Mountain Boys under Colonel Seth Warner decisively defeated them. This Patriot victory was critical, leading to the British surrender at Saratoga two months later, altering the course of the war and, ultimately, the history of the world.

Every Battle Day weekend, the Town of Bennington’s Fire Department takes the lead in planning the celebrations, including an impressively large parade held on Sunday. Special efforts are being made to enhance each Battle Day as we approach the 250th anniversaries, culminating in 2027. A 250th Kickoff Gala Dinner fundraiser will be held on August 17 to raise money for these efforts. Ticket sales to the gala have closed. The ONLINE AUCTION is still live until August 17. To participate, please visit bennington250.org and click on the link to the online auction.

Meanwhile, you will find an impressive list of events and activities happening this year. Below is the schedule for the 2024 Battle Day Weekend.

Battle Day Weekend 2024

In Bennington

• 8/15/24 – Thursday, Car Cruise-In with Hemmings News: Downtown Bennington. In partnership with Better Bennington Corp. and the Bennington Fire Department Battle Day Committee.
• 8/15/24 – Thursday, 2-Person Cornhole Tournament: $50 per team. 32 teams maximum. Located at Dutchman’s Tavern, 125 Depot Street. For info, call Chad Prentiss at 802-375-5422 or email [email protected].
• 8/16/24 – Friday, Fireman’s Lunch: 11 AM to 2 PM. Hot sausage, burgers, and hot lunch available at the Bennington Fire House.
• 8/16/24 – Friday, Chicken Barbecue Dinner: 4 PM to 6 PM. Eat in or take out at the Bennington Fire House. Advance tickets available. $15 per person.
• 8/16/24 – Friday, Vegas Night: 6 PM to 9 PM at the Firehouse. Las Vegas night is back!
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, Kid Activity Day: 10 AM – 1 PM at the Vermont Veterans’ Home off Park Street. Sponsored by the Bennington Fire Department.
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, Liberty Pole Raising: 11 AM to 3 PM. Corner of Pleasant and School Street, Downtown Bennington. Re-enactors, musket salutes, and a special ceremony at 2:30 PM in association with the Food Truck Festival.
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, Downtown Bennington Food Truck Festival: 11 AM to 7 PM at Pleasant and School Streets.
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, USS Bennington Memorial Service: 12 PM. Wreath laying at the Ships Bell at the Town Office, 205 South St.
• 8/18/24 – Sunday, Battle Day Parade: 12:30 PM. For parade participants, lineup at 10:30 AM.
• 8/18/24 – Sunday, 50/50 Raffle Winners Announced and Trophies Presented: After the parade at the Bennington Firehouse. (Raffle tickets available at prior events or via email).

In Manchester

At the Equinox Hotel

• 8/17/24 – Saturday, Bennington County 250th Kickoff Gala Dinner: 4:30 PM to 8 PM. Fundraiser for the 250th anniversaries. Four-course dinner featuring 18th-century cuisine with a modern flair. Live entertainment. Ticket sales to the gala have closed. The ONLINE AUCTION is still live until August 17. To participate, please visit bennington250.org and click on the link to the online auction.

At the Bennington Battle Monument

• 8/16/24 – Friday, Dedication of “Revolutionary War Patriots” Marker: 10:00 AM. Presented by the VT Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of the 250th anniversary. Free admission to the Battle Monument.
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, The 20th Annual Battle Day 5K Road Race: 7:30 AM. Sponsored by the Friends of the Monument. The race starts and ends at the Monument. A cannon or revolutionary war-era rifle will fire to start the race. Following the 1/2 mile Kids fun run at 8:15, the 5K will begin at 7:30 AM. Registration forms will be posted at benningtonbattlemonument.com when available.
• 8/17/24 – Saturday, Moodus Fife and Drum: Performances from noon to 2:00 PM on the lawn in front of the monument. Free admission.
• 8/17 & 8/18/24 – Saturday and Sunday, Re-enactor Encampment: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Re-enactors on site with cannons, rifle muster, and educational programs.
• 8/18/24 – Sunday, Stylish Times: An 18th and 19th Century Fashion Show: 2:00 PM at the Old First Church Barn on Monument Circle. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bennington Battle Monument. Phyllis Chapman of “Vintage Visitors” will present historically accurate reproduction costumes from the late 18th century through the end of the 19th century. Live models will showcase a variety of ensembles.

At the Bennington Battlefield

5231 NY Route 67, Walloomsac, NY – about six miles from Battle Monument

• 8/17-8/18/24 – Hourly Tours of Bennington Battlefield: Guided tours on the hour Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM. A mix of driving and walking is required. No RSVP necessary. Call 518-860-9094 or email [email protected] for additional details.
• 8/16/24 – Friday, Commemoration of the Battle of Bennington: 7:00 PM. Join us for the 247th anniversary commemoration. Representatives from the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment, the Battle Monument in Vermont, as well as Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution chapters, will help mark the occasion. Historical accounts will be shared before a wreath-laying and artillery salute.