COLUMBUS, Ky. – (Sept. 27, 2018) -- The thundering sound of cannon fire will again be heard along the banks of the Mississippi River at the 28th Annual Civil War Days at Columbus-Belmont State Park Oct. 12-14.
The weekend will include battle re-enactments, history and museum tours, soldier camps, entertainment, food and more. Admission is free.
This three-day event begins with an Education Day on Friday, featuring cannon and rifle demonstrations, life of a soldier, camp cooking and medical procedures. Students, scouts, and groups are encouraged to participate, but everyone is invited to attend and take a closer look at our history by taking a step back in time.
The opening ceremony begins Friday evening at 5 p.m. with food and entertainment. Cannons will fire from the bluffs to end the ceremony, followed by a Ghost Walk through the Confederate earthworks with lanterns lighting the way.
Saturday features a full schedule of events, including music and the Ladies Tea at 11 a.m.
At 12:15 p.m., the Kentucky Humanities Council presents Abe Lincoln by Chautauqua performer Greg Waltermire of Lexington, Ky.
The Civil War Ball on Saturday night will feature music by The 52nd Regimental String Band, along with dance instruction so you don't have to be experienced to participate.
If you want to shop, you can find everything you need on “Sutler Row” where there will be tents set up with period clothing and accessories. There will be a Beautiful Belle and Handsome Gent contest before the dance and a Best Beard and Scraggly Beard contest during intermission.
Sunday begins with a period morning service at 8:30 a.m. as well as a memorial service in Columbus Cemetery at 10 a.m.
The battles are at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. They will feature guns firing, swords swinging, horses charging, and cannons blasting.
The Civil War Days event is co-sponsored by Columbus-Belmont State Park, Civil War Days Committee, and the Hickman County Judge Executive's office/Hickman County Fiscal Court. The park is located on the Mississippi River in far western Kentucky at the junction of highways 58, 80, and 123.
For more information, contact the park office at 270-677-2327 or email cindy.lynch@ky.gov or visit www.parks.ky.gov
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Contact:
Cindy Lynch
cindy.lynch@ky.gov
270-677-2327