IMPORTANT EVENT NOTICE
Unfortunately, due to increasing costs, Crazy Crow Trading Post will no longer be able to maintain the Event Calendar by updating or adding new events.
The pages will remain active for a time as there are a number of events with current information and past events that may help you contact the sponsors for new information concerning location, dates & times!
Please do NOT contact Crazy Crow about these events, except for corrections to events with 2020 dates that are incorrect. Email date corrections directly to eventcoordinator@crazycrow.com. PLEASE DO NOT CALL, as we have nothing to do with the events and have only provided the listings as a free service.
Loading Events

2019 Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment

Rate This Event

 

Experience early Civil War history at the 30th Annual Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment on May 30 – June 2, 2019 in downtown Philippi, West Virginia. Relive the year 1861, when the First Land Battle of the Civil War was fought. Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactors will highlight important moments in the history that gives Philippi its historical significance. Confederate and Union troops will erect campsites which the public is invited to visit. Other activities during the weekend include artillery demonstrations, a little soldiers’ battle, an amputation re-enactment, a Grand Parade, live entertainment at the Courthouse Square Gazebo, a Civil War Ball, a 5K Run, Amateur Kayak Race, a Blue & Gray Community Choir Concert, Pie and Cupcake Contest at the Gazebo, a Quilt Show at The Market Place, Buggy Hay Rides, Courthouse tours, craft park, and food vendors.

Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment

Friday is Walking History Day. More than 20 stations will introduce visitors to life in a Civil War camp, history of Philippi’s First Land Battle of the Civil War, camp cooking and games, soldiers’ and women’s clothing during the war, a visit with General Stonewall Jackson in the Barbour County Courthouse, Civil War era music, and more.

Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment of the First Land Battle of the Civil War will take place at 2:00 pm on Philippi’s Main Street. Following the battle, a reenactment of the historic Hanger amputation will take place in Sutler Row on Main Street.

About the actual Battle of Philippi
The Battle of Philippi formed part of the Western Virginia Campaign of the American Civil War, and was fought in and around Philippi, Virginia (now West Virginia) on June 3, 1861. On May 28, 1861, Col. George Porterfield and his Confederate troops arrived in Philippi, where they camped or were quartered in town. Neighbors and families were already divided on the question of secession. There were at least 750, if not upwards of 2,000 troops. At daylight on June 3, two columns of Union forces, with perhaps 3,000 men, arrived from Grafton under the command of Col. Ebenezer Dumont and Col. Benjamin Kelley. A Union victory, it was the first organized land action of the war, though generally viewed as a skirmish rather than a battle.

Mistaking a pistol shot by a Mrs. Humpreys on the hill above the town as a signal to start the battle, the Union troops fired on the Confederates with two brass six-pound Napoleon cannons. The Confederates routed to a big rock south of town and departed in good order to Belington and ultimately to Beverly.

The Original Blue and Gray Renuion
On June 3, 1911 the first “Home Coming Week” ever held in Barbour County of the “Blue and Gray Soldiers” who participated in the 1861 battle was held. The program included speeches, band concerts, “public talks by Old Soldiers”, entertainment, fireworks, parachute jumps, parades, a hot-air balloon ascension, and a “Sham Battle conducted by the State Militia.” In 1988, the City of Philippi published a “Call to Arms” to plan for an annual Blue & Gray Reunion to begin the first week of June, 1989.

Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment Mini-Gallery

Today’s reunion includes Sutlers and crafts tents, a parade, encampments for re-enactors from both sides of the war, artillery and small arms demonstrations, a choir concert, Civil War Ball, and of course, a re-enactment of the first land battle of the Civil War.

Public Welcome – Free Admission

Location: Downtown Philippi, WV

For More Information
Mail: PO Box 911, Philippi, WV 26416
Phone: 304-457-3773
Email: information@blueandgrayreunion.org
Philippi area contact: CVB at 304-457-3700

Blue and Gray Reeunion Featured Events (subject to change)
(Check daily schedules for day and time)

  • Horse and Buggy Parade
  • Walking History (for adults) joining Kids’ Day
  • Pickin’ Porch – all weekend on Courthouse Square
  • Opening Ceremonies – Thursday
  • Grand Opening and Blue & Gray Community Choir
  • Horse and Buggy Parade
  • Kids’ Day/Walking History – Friday
  • 25-30 Learning Stations
  • Visit with General Stonewall Jackson
  • Grand Parade
  • 5K Race
  • Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Races
  • Pie Contest at the Gazebo
  • Civil War Ball
  • Confederate and Union Camps open for the public
  • Reenactment – First Land Battle of Civil War
  • Reenactment-Hanger Amputation
  • Crafters Park and Food Vendors on Courthouse Square
  • Live entertainment – at the Gazebo all weekend; kicked off with Talent Show
  • Skirmishes – Little Soldiers and troops

Blue and Gray Reunion - Battle of Philippi Reenactment - Downtown Philippi WV

Blue and Gray Reunion Schedule of Events[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Thursday Detail”] 1:00 pm Traditional Crafts and Food Court (Courthouse Square)
6:00 pm Official Opening with Blue & Gray Community Choir (Gazebo)
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Buggy Hay Rides (Covered Bridge, Museum side)
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Full Cirkle in concert (Gazebo)[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion] [su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Friday Detail”] 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Traditional Crafts and Food Court (Courthouse Square)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Walking History Day
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Quilt Show / Eye of the Needle (The Market Place)
10:30 am Harriet Tubman visits Philippi (Courthouse, 3rd floor)
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Entertainment (Gazebo)
1:30 pm Stonewall Jackson visits Philippi (Courthouse, 3rd floor)
2:00 pm Hanger Amputation (Sutler Row)
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Music Entertainment (Gazebo)
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Reenactors Registration (Courthouse Square)
6:30 pm Parade line-up (Subway area)
7:30 pm Parade on Main Street
9:00 pm The Soul Miners of Morgantown (Gazebo)[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion] [su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Saturday Detail”] 7:30 am 5k Run Registration (behind Gazebo)
8:30 am – 12:30 pm Reenactors Registration (Courthouse Square)
9:00 am 5K Run
9:00 am – 9:00 pm Traditional Crafts and Food Court (Courthouse Square)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Camps open to public
9:30 am Little Soldiers Registration (ages 6-12, Covered Bridge Area)
9:30 am – 10:00 am Commander’s Meeting
10:00 am Ladies’ Tea (Adaland Mansion, Rt.76)
10:00 am Stonewall Jackson visits Philippi (Courthouse, 3rd Floor Courtroom)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Quilt Show (The Market Place)
10:00 am – 10:30 am Little Soldiers Battle (ages 6-12, Covered Bridge Area)
11:00 am – 3_00 pm Corn Hole Tournament (Main Street)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Live Entertainment (Gazebo)
11:30 am Amateur Kayak Race 3.5 miles to Arden (Tygart Valley River at Covered Bridge)
12:00 noon Hanger Amputation (Sutler Row)
12:00 noon AND 1:30 pm Barbour County Courthouse Tours
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Reenactors Skirmish at Covered Bridge (Spectators Welcome)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Haley Slagle Band (Gazebo)
2:15 pm Hanger Amputation (Sutler Row)
3:00 pm Blue and Gray Community Choir (Philippi Baptist Church across from Courthouse)
4:00 pm Kayak Race Awards Ceremony (Gazebo)
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pie and Cupcake Contest/CEOS (Gazebo)
5:00 pm Reenactors Dinner at Taj Moe Hall (Main Street)
7:00 pm Civil War Ball (Main Street)
9:00 pm – 10:15 pm BS#arpe (Gazebo)
10:45 pm – 11:15 pm Reenactors Night Skirmish (Covered Bridge – Spectators Welcome)[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion] [su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Sunday Detail”] 8:00 am Reveille
9:00 am Commander’s Meeting
10:00 am 1800’s style Church Service (Presbyterian Church, Main Street)
12:00 noon Traditional Crafts and Food Court (Courthouse Square)
12:30 pm Artillery Demonstration (Covered Brdge Area)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Music Entertainment (Gazebo)
1:30 pm Troops Organize for Reenactment
2:00 pm Reenactment of the First Land Battle of Civil War also known as Philippi Races (Main Street)
after battle Reenactment-Hanger Amputation (Sutler Row)
3:00 pm Camps Closed until next Year
All Weekend
Crafters Park and Food Vendors on Courthouse Square
Live entertainment – at the Gazebo all weekend[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]

Blue and Gray Reunion - Battle of Philippi Reenactment - Downtown Philippi WV

Mark your calendar today so don’t miss the next Blue and Gray Reunion – Battle of Philippi Reenactment in downtown Philippi, West Virginia.

Tags: Blue and Gray Reunion, Battle of Philippi Reenactment, Battle of Philippi Civil War Reenactment, Civil War Reenactment, Blue & Gray Reunion

View other Civil War Reenactments, Encampments & Other Events

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

IMPORTANT EVENT NOTICE
Unfortunately, due to increasing costs, Crazy Crow Trading Post will no longer be able to maintain the Event Calendar by updating or adding new events.
The pages will remain active for a time as there are a number of events with current information and past events that may help you contact the sponsors for new information concerning location, dates & times!
Please do NOT contact Crazy Crow about these events, except for corrections to events with 2020 dates that are incorrect. Email date corrections directly to eventcoordinator@crazycrow.com. PLEASE DO NOT CALL, as we have nothing to do with the events and have only provided the listings as a free service.
Go to Top