PERRYVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2018) – More than 7,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in 1862 in the aftermath of the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky along the rolling fields surrounding Perryville.
The annual commemoration of the Battle of Perryville has been set for Oct. 6-7 at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in Boyle County, about 40 miles southwest of Lexington.
The two-day event includes battlefield tours, military camps and drills, lectures, food and other vendors. The featured program for the weekend is the “School of the Soldier” program, in which guests portray Civil War soldiers.
School of the Soldier participants will experience life as a Civil War soldier. They will go through an enlistment process, organize into squads and companies, perform military maneuvers and drill, receive mail from home, and eat camp food.
Guests may sign up at the information area at least 30 minutes before the program begins. The program requires walking and standing for extended periods of time during the 4-hour session and is not recommended for children under 12. Children ages 12-15 require an adult to participate.
The newly formed companies will participate in the military demonstrations at 2 p.m. (There will not be a battle re-enactment at this year’s event as in past years.)
On Saturday evening at 7 p.m., a Ghost of the Battlefield walking tour will be offered, re-creating battle scenes as guests walk the fields to experience the aftermath of the conflict. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the park museum. This tour requires walking and is not recommended for children under 12.
General admission for the day, which includes the School of the Soldier, is $10 for adults, $8 for veterans and $7 for children ages 6-11.
For more information about Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and the commemoration, visit http://perryvillebattlefield.org/ For more about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov
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Contact:
Gil Lawson
gil.lawson@ky.gov
502-892-3349