2018 Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment
The Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment will be held on October 19-21, 2018 at Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield in East Bernstadt, Kentucky, about 15 miles north of London. For three days, reenactors play the part of Civil War soldiers, vendors, and doctors to recreate the Civil War era and the Battle of Camp Wildcat. There will be a battle reenactment each of the three days – along with a cavalry competition, camp tour, dinner and barn dance, ladies’ tea and social and memorial service to honor the battle, which took place on October 21 1861.
Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment
Free admission – Donations are appreciated.
Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment Schedule of Events
Thursday
6:00 p.m. Registration opens
Friday
8:00 a.m. Camp to finalize and get ready for school children
9:00 a.m. Buses begin to arrive
Noon SKIRMISH on the battlefield with all available reenactors
2:00 p.m. “Living History Day” ends
3:00 p.m. Reenactor dinner
5:30 p.m. Registration reopens
10:00 p.m. Registration closes until Saturday (follow signs to set up camp)
Saturday
10:00 a.m. Living History Camps open to the public
10:15 a.m. Officers Call at the Barn
10:45 a.m. Powder rations behind the Barn (must have ticket)
11:00 a.m. President Lincoln and General Lee at the tent outside the Barn
Noon Military Demonstration on the Field
Noon Ladies Tea and Social in the Barn (tickets required ̶ at registration while available)
2:00 p.m. Battle of Camp Wildcat reenacted on original bivouac of Confederate forces
3:30 p.m. Wildcat Wedding
4:30 p.m. Camp closes to the public
6:00 p.m. Reenactor dinner
8:00 p.m. Reenactor Barn Dance (period clothing requested, but not required)
10:30 p.m. End of Dance and Cannon Night Fire & Fireworks
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Officer’s Call at the Barn
10:00 a.m. Camp opens to the public
10:00 a.m. Period church service at the Barn (no guns fired during service)
10:45 a.m. Leave for Memorial Service on the Mountain
11:00 a.m. Memorial Service at Original Battlefield (two miles away on gravel road)
11:00 a.m. Annual “Swap, Shop and Trade Meet” at the tent on the right side of the Barn
12:15 p.m. Cavalry competition on the field
12:30 p.m. Talk to President Lincoln and General Lee in the Barn
1:00 p.m. Medical demonstration at the medical tent near the Battlefield
2:00 p.m. Battle of London reenacted
3:45 p.m. Drawings for pistols and raffles
4:00 p.m. Camp closes to the public— Last Chance to buy T-Shirts
Visitors Information
There are demonstrations and skits available throughout the day. We encourage families to come early and roam the camps and view demonstrations at the Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment. There are many things that reenactos do in camp that are period activities that they would love to share information to the public about. Just be polite and ask them what they are doing. They are usually just waiting for someone to ask them. Visitor FAQs
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”More Visitor Detail”] Pets must be on a leash. Rethink bringing them as they are often quite scared of the cannons. Dogs especially often do not like the horses and equally the horses sometimes become skittish around barking dogs.
No rain dates. Just as in the Civil War, Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment takes place regardless of the weather. Just bring the appropriate attire for the weather.
Often very small children get scared or the cannon fire hurts their ears. We suggest ear muffs or ear plugs (we usually have ear plugs for sell at the concession area). As for car alarms, the cannons are so loud and shake the ground so much, car alarms are usually set off. We ask that you do not set your car alarms while on site. Car alarms sounding are not pleasant for anyone.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
School Day Information
School day is targeted between the hours of 9a-2p with a small skirmish on the field directly in front of the barn at noon. Schools need to register by email at nita@wildcatreenactment.org Please include name and contact information for your school representative and the number of children attending and the number of adults. School Day FAQs
Reinactor Information
Wood, hay, water, dance, and dinner on Saturday is provided for all reenactors. Dinner on Friday is provided to those who participate in school day. Prepaid reenactors are guaranteed a ration of gunpowder and any freebies given away at registration. Walk-ons will get these until supplies run out. Ice will be available for purchase.
Reenactor FAQs | Reenactor Registration
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”More Reenactor Detail”]Reenactors are encouraged to maintain period camps, attitudes, attire, and demonstrations. But the main purpose is to share some history with the spectators, provide a safe, fun place for reenactors to do what they do best- reenact. Reenactors should encourage family participation. Many people will experience the Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment as their first time on the field.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Sutlers
We hope we have a lot of sutlers available. We do try to keep the same kinds of sutlers to no more than two but when there are variety sutlers instead of specialty sutlers it makes it hard. We think that reenactors and the public should be able to shop and see a wide variety of things that would have been available during the Civil War period. Non-period sutlers are allowed also. We put Them on the other side of the barn away from period sutler row. However, we do try to limit the non-period sutlers to things that might have been available during the time period. Sutler FAQs
Directions to Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield
GPS 37.245874,-84.189443
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”NORTH-SOUTH: Take Exit 49 off I-75″]This is the Livingston Exit — Highway 909. If you are traveling southbound, turn left off the exit and go over the interstate. If you are traveling northbound, turn right off the exit. You will travel a short distance (0.6 miles) on 909. Turn right (south)onto U.S. 25 and travel 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Hazel Patch Road. The reenactment will be about 1/2 mile up this road, before you cross the railroad tracks.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion][su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”EAST-WEST: Western Kentucky “]From Glasgow, take the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway to KY 80 East, which comes directly into London. At the 2nd traffic light, turn left (North) onto I-75 and follow the above directions for northbound.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion][su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Eastern Kentucky”] This is the Livingston Exit — Highway 909. If you are traveling southbound, turn left off the exit and go over the interstate. If you are traveling northbound, turn right off the exit. You will travel a short distance (0.6 miles) on 909. Turn right (south)onto U.S. 25 and travel 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Hazel Patch Road. The reenactment will be about 1/2 mile up this road, before you cross the railroad tracks.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Contact
Laurel Home Guard / Camp Wildcat
90 Deborah Lane
Lily, Ky 40740
606-878-2563
nita@wildcatreenactment.org
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment in October at Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield in East Bernstadt, Kentucky.
Tags: Battle of Camp Wildcat Reenactment, Battle of Camp Wildcat Civil War Reenactment, Camp Wildcat Civil War Reenactment