14th Annual
Benjamin H. Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment...is
coming to Jacksonville's Community Park
June
19th, 20th
and
21st. This year's Grierson Days Celebration will kick off with a Free
Brass Band
Concert, in the park, on stage in front of the Sophie Leschin
Building. The 10th Cavalry Regimental
Volunteer Brass Band,
from Springfield, Illinois, will feature musical numbers written by
Benjamin H.
Grierson, himself a talented musician and writer. Grierson wrote the
first campaign song for Abraham
Lincoln's first
presidential campaign. The song will be performed by nationally known
Civil War Balladeer
and Story teller Bob
Welch, from Dubuque, Iowa. Also appearing on Friday night will be
David and Helen
Kuhn as Benjamin and Alice Grierson, and State Representative Jim
Watson, who will pay
tribute to our
troops currently serving the United States, as well has those in our
past. The Friday night
program begins at
6pm, in Community Park, and is free to the public. Food Vendors will
be available
Friday night, and as early as breakfast time on both Saturday and
Sunday, and open all day for your
family enjoyment.
This years event, Friday thru Sunday, will be celebrating the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln, and will feature a presentation by Max and Donna Daniels, portraying the Lincoln's on Saturday and Sunday, and there will be a Presidential Ball Saturday night from 7pm to 11pm at Nichols Park Pavilion - the event is free to the public. Everyone is invited to come and take part and see the re-enactors in their finest attire. There will be music and a caller for your enjoyment. Bring your camera's for a picture taking opportunity with President and Mrs. Lincoln.
Saturday the camps will open at
9am and be open until after the Civil War Battle, which takes place at
3pm Saturday, featuring
the battle at Mauvaisterre Creek. Sunday's battle takes place at l:30
pm. There will be stage presentations all
day Saturday and Sunday,
featuring musical groups, Vivant Tableux along with many others. Some
of the finest Sutlers will be on hand selling their goods just as they
did during the Civil War, this is your
opportunity to buy Period
Clothing for Men, Women and Children. Flags, tents, guns, whatever the
soldier used in the field
will be available.
Artisans include woodworking, blacksmith's, kettle korn, root beer, period cookies, and as always, the now famous 50 year Pilot Club Strawberry Tent, always a hit and always a sell out. Food Vendors include Willie's BBQ, Randy Twyford and others. The Best part of Grierson Days is that all of the activities are free and provide great family entertainment. It is one of very few reenactments of this size that are free. It is entirely supported by the Business Community of Jacksonville.
For more information contact Ron Gray, The Grierson Society, 217-473-4099, or, ronandmarygray@aol.com
