HURRICANE, W.Va. -- Hurricane's Valley Park will turn nostalgic Friday as the 11th Annual Civil War Weekend celebration begins.
Linda Bush, director of the Putnam Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the agency's staff has been busy this week answering phone calls and e-mails with requests from across the country to participate in the three-day weekend event at the park, which is located on Valley Park Road off W.Va. 34.
Past re-enactments have included as many as 370 registered re-enactors from up to 17 states.
"Everyone looks forward to this event being the first (re-enactment) of the year," Bush said. "It's just like a big family reunion."
Hurricane Development and Tourism Manager Brenda Campbell said the event has a positive impact on the community because it brings a lot of out-of-state visitors in, some for the first time.
"They'll get to shop and visit the stores and learn about our area. And, hopefully, they'll return."
In addition to scheduled activities, there will be food, clothing and period vendors selling their wares. An educational wagon from the West Virginia University Extension Service also will be on hand providing candle-dipping demonstrations and a variety of hands-on activities.
"We just hope that we have wonderful weather and a safe event," Bush said. "It should be a wonderful weekend."
Here is a schedule for the Civil War Days at Hurricane's Valley Park:
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Registration in the park office
Noon to 1 p.m. Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln at Ferguson's Tea Room, 2739 Main St. in Hurricane, for lunch
1 to 2 p.m. Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln at Ferguson's Tea Room for public photo opportunity
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Life in the 1860s presentation and reception at the community center
8 p.m. Historical remembrance play at the community center
9 p.m. Artillery Night Battle
10 p.m. All quiet in camp
SATURDAY, MARCH 29
6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration in the park office
7 to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast for troops
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Commander meeting
9 a.m. Colors (raising flags)
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Camp/sutlers open to public
9:30 a.m. Dress parade/company drills
11 a.m. Memorial service by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Huntington Chapter 150, at the Museum in the Community
12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides
1 p.m. Officers' call
1 p.m. Presentation by Robert E. Lee at the Museum in the Community
2 p.m. Battle and tactical demonstrations
3 to 4 p.m. Ladies tea (limited tickets)
5 p.m. Camp closes to public
5 to 6 p.m. Dinner for troops
7 to 10 p.m. Military Ball
10 p.m. All quiet in camp
SUNDAY, MARCH 30
7 to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast for troops
9 a.m. Color (raising flags), camp/sutlers open to public
9:30 a.m. Dress parade/company drills
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 1800s-style church service
12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Horse drawn wagon rides
1 p.m. Officers' call
2 p.m. Battle and tactical demonstration
4 p.m. Break camp/camps closed to public
7-day Archive
