On October
11th, 12th and 13th of 2002, a 3-day event
is planned that will include history, pageantry,
and a view into the life and events of our
forefathers.
7:00
p.m. - Civil War Forum
(Star Theatre - 23 W. Seminary St.)
9:00
a.m. - Camp Open to Public
(Lions Club Park)
9:00
a.m. - Fall Festival - First United
Methodist Church
Silent Auction & Bazaar
(11 North Fayette Street)
10:00
a.m. - Historic Recruitment/Reenactment
On "The Square"
(Main Street)
2:00
p.m. - Battle
(Lions Club Park)
3:30
p.m. - Civil War Wedding
(Pavilion - Lions Club Park)
5:00
p.m. - Civil War Camp Closed
7:30
p.m. - Remembrance Ball
(Edwards Room, Keil Hall, Mercersburg Academy)
9:00
a.m. Civil War Camp Open
9:00
a.m. - Worship Service
11:00
a.m. --- Civil War Music Concert
12:30
p.m. - Memorial Service Honoring All
Services and Wars including Mercersburg's
54th Massachusetts
1:30
p.m. - Battle
3:00
p.m. - Civil War Camp Closed
On Friday
evening at 7:00, the 11th of October,
there will be a presentation entitled .
. ."J.E.B. Stuart - The Man, The Times,
and The Raid". The discussion will
focus on the Raid in the context of the
war at that point, the individuals involved,
and the effect of the event on Mercersburg
and the surrounding towns. Of interest to
those who are well versed and those who
wish to be well versed on J.E.B. Stuart
and the Raid, this presentation by leading
by experts will cover the personalities
of the key figures and how, in detail, the
Raid took place.
Scheduled
to speak will be Ted Alexander, noted Pennsylvania
historian and co-author of "They
Came This Way", John Thompson,
local historian and author of "Horses,
Hostages and Apple Cider: J.E.B. Stuart's
1862 Pennsylvania Raid", and Robert
Trout, Civil War expert and the author of
the newly published book, "Galloping
Thunder - The Stuart Horse Artillery Battalion".
We expect the evening to be the definitive
discussion on this historical event. The
event will be held at the Star Theater at
23 W. Seminary Street. This event is free.
Saturday,
the 12th, will be the first full day of
the event. Morning events are concentrated
in downtown Mercersburg. At 9:00am
there will be a Silent Auction & Bazaar
at the First United Methodist Church on
Fayette Street.
At 10:00 visitors to the town square
will be treated to a Union Recruitment March
down Main Street for PA Volunteers -- including
dancing, fife & drum, and period music
by the renowned Amoskeag Players.
At 11:30
spectators will experience a reenactment
of the events that occurred 140 years ago
when General J.E.B. Stuart drew his horse
artillery into the square and threatened
to blow up the town. The square will be
filled with cannons and as many as 50 horses,
as the Confederates "secure" the
town, taking hostages and looting local
stores.
The event will be staged as an open-air
play with actors mingling with visitors
and interacting with the characters on the
"stage". This is a reenactment
on historic ground. This event is free.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: As the streets will
be closed to all traffic for these events
from 9:30am to 12:30 it is important that
spectators arrive early. Free Shuttles buses
will take visitors to and from Battle Field
to the events on "The Square".
Refreshments will be available.
At 2:00
in the afternoon, visitors will gather on
the grounds of the Lions Club Park and the
field adjacent for a "black powder"
event. Here visitors will be able to wander
through a Civil War encampment, and see,
first hand, how our soldiers lived during
the war.
In addition to the black powder event, which
will include mounted cavalry charges, cannon
barrages, and infantry skirmishes, there
will be "living historians" that
will speak to subjects such as medical practices,
arms, and battle tactics.
Tickets are required - $8 adults & $5
children.
At 7:30
in the evening, a Civil War Remembrance
Ball will be held on the grounds of the
Mercersburg Academy in their grand Victorian
Room (Edward's Room in Kiel Hall).
The Ball, under the direction of a Nancy
Walker, an internationally known expert
in Civil War dance will include, period
music, refreshments, and of course dancing.
Music will be provided by the Amoskeag Players.
Many attending the ball will be dressed
in period costumes.
Tickets are required - $20 adults.
Camps
open at 9:00am at Lions Club Park.
At 9:00 there will be a traditional "Civil
War Camp" church service.
At 11:30 there will a concert by
the Amoskeag Players of traditional Civil
War music.
At 12:30 there will be a 21-Gun Memorial
Salute honoring all Services & Wars,
including a minute of silence for the victims
of 9/11 and Mercersburg's own "54th
Massachusetts" (Afro-American regiment),
many of whom are buried in a local cemetery.
At 1:30pm there will be a cavalry
demonstration, "living history"
events, and a final "black powder"
skirmish. Tickets are required - $8 adults
& $5 children..
Refreshments,
Free Parking, and Transportation between
events will be available. Specifics, Tickets
and updates are available at: www.PathsoftheCivilWar.com
and The Chamber of Commerce 717 328 5827.
Please check back here often!
Note:
Times may vary and all tickets sales are
FINAL. Although the 140th Commemoration
will be held rain or shine specific events
may be added (or deleted) as deemed necessary,
at the time, by the coordinating committee.
SAFETY
Because
of recent concerns regarding event public
safety, no parcels, backpacks, bags or coolers
will be allowed through the event gates.
Please leave these items at home or in your
vehicle in the nearby parking lot. All carry
items will be subject to search prior to
entering the event. Please allow extra time
so we can enhance your safety!
ARRIVE EARLY
Arrive
early at least 1 hour before the events
begin or plan to spend the afternoon at
the site. While there is plenty to see and
do, all over the site, traffic peaks just
prior to event times. Anticipate delays
and consider staying on site to relax and
stroll the camps and food areas following
the battles.
CHAIRS &
FILMING
If you
are bringing your own seating, arrive early
to find a good place to sit. Everyone will
see some distant as well as close-up action.
Bringing a pair of binoculars will help
you see the action in more detail. Feel
free to take all the pictures you want!
However, Video/Film equipment may not be
used in the spectator areas if it requires
a tripod or is shoulder held, such as larger
camcorders. Only handheld recorders can
be used. No one may stand on chairs for
filming and of course, you may not wander
out on the Battlefield at any time to take
photos.
CHILDREN
Young
children are often afraid of very loud noises
and being close to the cannons can be a
scary experience for kids under 5 years
old. Cotton helps dull the noise and may
be a good idea for anyone near the big guns.
Strollers are allowed but may have a more
difficult time on the grassy park grounds.
BICYCLES
Bicycles
may be ridden to the parking areas but not
on site. We do not provide security for
bicycles. We advise against bringing them,
but this is your decision.
PETS
No Pets
are allowed on site or in the parking areas
and never to be left alone in parked cars.
Service Dogs Only.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS
Sufficient
toilet facilities will be provided for the
Square and Battlefield activities.
These
rules and regulations are for your comfort
and safety. We appreciate your cooperation!
