About
8th Annual Whiskey Run Festival
The Whiskey Run Festival, which follows the Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run 5K & 10K races, will be held for the 8th year on Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Preston Festival Field. The Festival features a craft show, food trucks, music and entertainment, a Wilmington history display, raffles, and more! All are encouraged to attend this fun community event, it isn't just for racers!
But why a Whiskey Festival you ask?
As it turns out, the area has quite a storied history with liquor, legal and otherwise. During the War of 1812, Wilmington supplied good rye whiskey to the American troops at the Battle of Plattsburgh as part of their daily ration. During prohibition, with its proximity to Canada, Wilmington residents provided a temporary haven for bootleggers crossing the border, and until recently, Wilmington was home to US Barrel, a whiskey barrel cooperage. So with a somewhat checkered history and natural beauty, the Wilmington Historical Society invites you to join them for the annual Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and Festival!
Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration
A ceremony for the commemoration of the Battle of Plattsburgh will be held during the Whiskey Festival, with period music by Stan Ransom, "The Connecticut Peddler," as well as an appearance by Battle of Plattsburgh's Plucky Rooster and historical re-enactors dressed in period clothing.
The Legend of the Plucky Rooster
The legend of the rooster recalls an incident said to have occurred on September 11, 1814 during a naval battle in Plattsburgh Bay between the British and the Americans. According to the legend, when a cannon ball fired by the British smashed into a coop on the deck of the American vessel, a rooster flew out, flapped his wings and crowed lustily. The American sailors cheered what they considered a good luck omen, fought on, and were victorious on that historic day.
2025 Schedule
- 9:30am — 10K & 5K races begin at Preston Festival Field
- 11am — Whiskey Festival begins at Preston Festival Field
- 11:45am — Whiskey Run awards ceremony and in-person runner’s raffle drawing
- 12:15am — Commemoration of the Battle of Plattsburgh with music by Stan Ransom, "The Connecticut Peddler"
- 1-4:00pm — Live music by Moonshine Hollow Bluegrass
- 3:30pm — Festival raffle drawings
Additional details
Parking is available at the Town Offices Parking Lot across from Festival Field, at the “village garage” lot across the street from Festival Field, and on-street parking on the west side of Springfield Road (NOT in the running lanes on Springfield Road).
What is the purpose of the fundraiser? This is the Wilmington Historical Society's major fundraiser for thier proposed new Ruth & Thomas Keegan Memorial History Center building. Funds raised by the race will support the construction of a building with a reference library, an archives room, and a display/lecture/community space to promote the Whiteface Region's history. The Wilmington Historical Society is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
Want to run a whiskey race?
Learn more about the Wilmington Whiteface Whiskey Run and register to race! This is a fun and scenic run with 5K and 10K distances and the option to run the race virtually!