In July, 2005, the city of Plattsburgh will once again host the Mayor's Cup regatta, the largest sail boat race on Lake Champlain. Attracting participants and spectators from all over the state, the Mayor's Cup represents one of the most significant annual sports contests held in the North Country. However, the 2005 Mayor's Cup will likely be different from past ones, thanks exclusively to the presence of one group: Reverend Fred Phelps and his followers. As in the past, the festivities will include free live music and imaginative contests. However, the fireworks at this year's Mayor's Cup may not be limited to the Fourth of July display.

Phelps and his followers are members of the Westboro Baptist Church, located in Topeka, Kansas, and they plan to attend the 2005 Mayor's Cup. Their intention is simple: to protest Dan Stewart's lifestyle and to protest the churches in Plattsburgh. According to a news release from the Westboro Baptist Church, "Plattsburgh [is] a sicko, un-American hotbed of sodomite, antichristic filth." The news release, titled "WBC to Picket Sodomite Whorehouses Masquerading as Churches," features a cartoon depicting one silhouette violating another silhouette. The violator is labeled "fag," while the one being violated is labeled "church." The contents of the release are all available on Phelps' website.

Downtown Plattsburgh, site of the 27th annual Mayor's Cup

What inspired this heated, politically-charged protest? Ironically, the entire debate began from one comment that Dan Stewart made during a City of Plattsburgh Common Council Meeting in December of 2004. Stewart, an openly gay male who is currently serving his second term as Mayor of Plattsburgh, inadvertently brought much of this on himself when, in response to a suggestion that the $350 fee for booths at the Mayor's Cup be waved for political speakers, he said, "You wouldn't want Fred Phelp's up here."

On December 20, 2004, Stewart received a letter from Phelps that outlined his intention to purchase a booth at the 2005 Mayor's Cup. The letter, posted on the Plattsburgh for Peace website, is worded very politely and quotes from the Bill of Rights. "You said some unkind things about our ministry last Thursday," Phelps claims in a very non-threatening manner. In fact, the whole note is professional and courteous. However, towards the bottom of the letter there is a small sign bearing the hateful term "fag mayor." Stewart's photo appears directly underneath the word "fag."

McDonough Monument provides the perfect backdrop for fireworks

Phelps' and his ministry were denied their request for a booth, so instead they turned their attention towards the local churches, which they criticize for not openly condemning homosexuality. "Plattsburgh is living in a parallel dimension where you delude yourself into thinking that you can change God and his judgments," a member of the Westboro Baptist Church writes in a letter to the editor at the Press Republican on February 9, 2005.

"We'd rather Phelps didn't come to Plattsburgh, but if he is coming, let's make some money off of him for charity," Rebecca Leonard, cofounder of Plattsburgh for Peace, said, according to Out in the Mountains, Vermont's voice for issues surrounding sexuality and gender. Leonard is referring to the Plattsburgh for Peace fundraiser, which has people pledge a donation for every minute of the Westboro Baptist Church's protest. Plattsburgh for Peace, a group created specifically to protest the Westboro Baptist Church's presence at the 2005 Mayor's Cup, will donate the money to local charities like the AIDS council of Northeastern New York and the Clinton County Food Shelf.

"We'd rather Phelps didn't come to Plattsburgh, but if he is coming, let's make some money off of him for charity," says Rebecca Leonard, cofounder of Plattsburgh for Peace.

In a WPTZ-TV press release, the Westboro Baptist Church struck back at Plattsburgh for Peace, as well as their fundraiser. "We understand you are taking pledges for each minute we picket you and your filthy faggot mayor and your sodomite whorehouse churches in July. Please work hard and raise big bucks from our presence—because we are insulted when we rile fags only a few thousand dollars worth," the ministry sarcastically retorts.

Though quiet now, Trinity Park will be the site of the Mayor's Cup main stage

This year, the excitement at the Mayor's Cup may have less to do with the sail boat race then it does the conflicting demonstrations. Still, the 2005 festivities are to be held on schedule and without fear of protests. Besides musical performances and boat races, the celebration will also include several "krazy kontests," which gained fame and exposure after CNBC's Dennis Miller feature last year's winner of the jalapeno-eating contest on his show. Mayor's Cup Idol, a contest similar to the popular television show American Idol, will be back as well.

The volatile circumstances surrounding the 2005 Mayor's Cup remain the subject of much speculation. As the festival quickly approaches, only three things remain certain: there will be a sailboat race, there will be protestors, and there will be fireworks. However, it remains to be seen which of the three will be most intense.

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Learn More About Plattsburgh for Peace

The Plattsburgh for Peace Mission Statement

Plattsburgh For Peace is a non-profit, nondenominational committee of volunteer members in the Plattsburgh, NY community. Its current mission is to discourage Fred Phelps and other WBC (Westboro Baptist Church) followers from picketing and broadcasting hateful messages at the 2005 Mayor's Cup and local churches in July 2005. We are proud of our community and of its diversity. We intend to do everything in our power to maintain the spirit of family and richness of our diverse community.

The History of Plattsburgh for Peace

On January 18, 2005, a small group of concerned citizens of Plattsburgh met to discuss the planned Fred Phelps picketing in Plattsburgh during the community's annual Mayor's Cup Regatta & Festival. At that meeting the participants decided to formalize the group with the name "Plattsburgh For Peace." It's immediate purpose is to discourage Phelps from participating in the Mayor's Cup event and picketing at Plattsburgh's churches. It was also decided to do this in a non-violent, non-confrontational manner. It's long-term goal is to remain in the community as a watchdog for hate groups. One idea which came up at the initial meeting was a pledge drive which originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

All information is as it appears on the Plattsburgh for Peace website.