KENT KRIEGSHAUSER/The Register-MailReenactors participate in a Civil War battle on during last year's Heritage Days celebration at Lake Storey.
Annual Heritage Days will return Saturday
1,000 Civil War re-enactors expected
Monday, August 15, 2005
GALESBURG - The Civil War era will come alive when the 11th annual Heritage Days Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Lake Storey.About 1,000 re-enactors from across the country are expected to participate, said Bob Franey, one of the organizers. About 15,000 people are expected over the two days to journey back in time. The family-oriented event has something for all ages.
Civil War battles are scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Always a crowd-pleaser, 10 cannons will be fired at dusk. This year, color is being added to the black powder.
"It should make for a very spectacular visual effect," Franey said.
Several new attractions are planned this year, expanding the historical period featured.
President Abraham Lincoln will be joined by Benjamin Franklin. The two men will have news conferences starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. They will be in the encampments both days.
Faire Wynds Circus will perform both days. The show is based on the entertainment provided by traveling family troupes in the late-18th to mid-19th centuries. Professor Chalmers Bodkin-Childs and his family will present music, magic, curiosities, juggling and early circus acts.
Soldiers in Iraq won't be forgotten this weekend. Franey said the new canoe landing at Lake Storey will be dedicated at noon Sunday to the 123rd Battalion, the local National Guard unit serving overseas. The canoe races will start after the dedication.
Period demonstrations will be going on both days and the fur trade museum will be open. Discovery Depot will have activities for children and pony rides will be available.
A period dunk tank will be set up with five throws for $1. Instead of throwing balls, a tomahawk will be used to try to break a string that will dump a bucket of water on the person sitting in the tank, Franey said.
Other returning events include the Ladies Tea and Fashion Show at 1 p.m. Saturday, a pie and cake auction at noon Saturday with proceeds used to fund Heritage Days, and the Raleigh Barnstead Memorial Military Ball, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. For those interested in participating in the ball, dance instructions will be available before the ball.
Food will be available both days, with buffalo burgers added to the menu. Breakfast with the reenactors features a period kitchen cooking pancakes, bacon and eggs and other items.
Children 14 and younger can sign up at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for the period fishing contest that starts at 11 a.m. Franey said 100 fishing poles will be available, or children can bring their own.
Admission is free and Franey said the public is welcome to stop by Friday evening to watch the reenactors set up the encampment.
