2019 Huntington Beach Civil War Days
Don’t miss the 26th Annual Huntington Beach Civil War Days on August 31 – September 1, 2019 at Huntington Beach Central Park in Huntington Beach, California. This event hosts hundred of Civil War reenactors in Huntington Beach Central Park. With soldiers, civilian reenactors and sutlers from all over California and the United States, the Huntington Beach Historical Society welcomes you to Southern California’s Largest Civil War Reenactment.
Huntington Beach Civil War Days Reenactment
Civil War Days was founded in 1993 by Maureen Rivers and Carl Clink in Bartlet Park behind the Newland House Museum in Huntington Beach. Growing from the first reenactment featuring one cannon and about 30 soldiers, Civil War Days has grown to host historical reenactors from all over the United States attracting thousands of spectators each year. The Huntington Beach Historical Society is proud to host the annual Huntington Beach Civil War Days Living History Event each Labor Day weekend. It’s a family-friendly event, so come out to see this grand display.
Always Free to the Public!
Camps open to the Public on Saturday and Sunday
HB Civil War Days Hours
Friday Reenactor Setup @ Noon
Saturday Open @ 10 – Battles @ 1:30 & 4PM
Sunday Open @ 10 – Battles @ 11AM & 2PM
Historical Activities
- Meet President Lincoln, General Grant, President Jefferson Davis, and many many other historical figures from the war.
- Visit “Reedsburg”, the historic town of civilian folk to learn about daily life in the 19th century
- Stop by the Historical Society tent for refreshments and visit the many sutlers to find a historic souvenir
- Visit each army’s camp to see the soldiers prepare for battle and rest up for the next fight
- Watch each of the two heated battles each day, each battle is followed either by a weapons demonstration or a pass and review of both armies in front of President Lincoln.
Saturday Night Dinner
Full Taco Dinner w/ rice, beans, salad, dessert. Open to reenactors and public. 5PM to 7PM – $8 donation.
Saturday Night Concert
Memorial Concert for Maureen Rivers 5:30PM – Concert honoring Civil War Days founder Maureen Rivers (1936-2015)
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
Saturday Events
Reenactor Swap Meet at 9AM
Camp opens to the public at 10AM
First battle at 1:30 PM
Living History Weapons Demonstration to follow
President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – 3PM
Second Battle at 4PM
President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – 4:45PM
Twilight Concert featuring The Armory Band at 5:30PM
Evening Dance at 7:30PM
Sunday Events
Church Services at 9AM
Camps open to public at 10AM
First battle at 11AM
President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – 12 Noon
Living History Weapons Demonstration to follow
Second Battle at 2PM
President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address – 3PM
Become an HB Civil War Days Reenactor
Civil War Days hosts reenactors from all over the United States, each living historians with their own impressions of people whom lived 155 years ago. The vast majority of reenactors belong to individual units, portraying a particular infantry or cavalry company, or artillery battery.
Many of these units recruit members from the Southern California area – if you are interested in joining a reenacting unit please email HBHistory@aol.com – your request will be forwarded through the appropriate channels. Please include your name, phone number, city, and your preference for the Union or the Confederacy.
Mark your calendar now so you won’t miss the next Huntington Beach Civil War Days on Labor Day Weekend at Huntington Beach Central Park in Huntington Beach, California.
Tags: Huntington Beach Civil War Days, HB Civil War Days, California Civil War Reenactments, Civil War Days, American Civil War Reenactment