2019 Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Festival
Relive Civil War history at the 22nd Annual Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Festival on October 12-13, 2019 at City County Park in Princeton, Illinois. Reenactors and Civil War buffs will converge on Princeton from all over the Midwest for two days of Civil War battle re-enactments, storytelling, music, dance and more. Shadows of the Blue and Gray presents a unique opportunity for history enthusiasts to not only learn about life during the 1860s, but to actually immerse themselves in a sort of living play about the Civil War era.
Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Festival
Spectators will smell the gun powder and hear the cannon fire of a real life Civil War battle skirmish. At the Shadows Of The Blue and Gray Civil War Festival they’ll witness the carnage that comes as a result of battle, and see up close the agony of soldiers being treated in a makeshift field hospital.
The Shadows Of The Blue and Gray Civil War Festival is not all war and gore. Festival-goers also will have the chance to watch how period artisans make things such as candles, brooms, clothes and blacksmith goods. They’ll be able to shake hands with President and Mrs. Lincoln or watch Clara Barton demonstrate common nursing techniques. A costume-optional dance will take place under the stars and children will be invited to participate in an interactive scavenger hunt.
Participant Amenities
We are offering bounties to all that take the field. Infantry will receive rifle caps. Artillery will receive powder and money, as well as bounty for each horse that takes the field. Saturday night we are offering a free dinner to all our reenactor friends that register, and an on site ball with period music. As always straw, hay, firewood and water will be avaiable. You can download the registration form or submit it online on our registration page (see website link at right. Online Registration
Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Festival Mini Gallery
Tentative Civil War Festival Schedule
SATURDAY
All Programs Are In Main Shelter Unless Noted
Children’s Civil War Scavenger Hunts are both days
9:00- Park opens: Tour the camps & artisan workshops
9:00 – Civil War Weapons Display
9:30-Meet General Grant, USA
10:30 – History of the 20th Indiana, One Regiments View of the War in the East
11:00 – Individual Unit Drill (Battlefield)
11:30- “Letter’s Home” Larkin Moon, 26th North Carolina
12:30- Entrance of President Lincoln
12:45- Presidential Address & Press Conference
1:30- Tank and the Beez (Music)
1:30 – The Civil War: Did You Know? Kids Program (Tall Trees Stage)
2:30 – Bugle Demonstration (Battlefield)
3:00- Battle Reenactment- Main Field
4:00- Post battle medical demonstrations at the medical tents
7:00- Evening tours and education programs. Cannon Night fire. (weather permitting)
The public is welcome to participate whether dressed or not. Come & join in the fun! Free admission into the park for dance starting at 6:30pm.
SUNDAY
9:00- Park opens: Tour the camps & artisan workshops
9:00 – Civil War Weapons Display
9:00- Non-denominational period church service
9:45 – History of the 20th Indiana, One Regiments View of the War in the East
10:45- “Letter’s Home” Larkin Moon, 26th North Carolina
11:00 – Individual Unit Drill (Battlefield)
11:45- Entrance of President & Mrs. Lincoln, Presidential Address & Press Conference
12:30- Meet General Ulysses S. Grant U.S.A.
1:15 – Tank and the Beez
1:45 – Bugle Demonstration (Battlefield)
2:00- Battle Reenactment- Main Field
3:00- The Civil War: Did You Know? Kids program (Tall Trees Stage)
3:00- Post battle medical demonstrations by the medical tents
4:00- Park closes
Location:
City County Park
Hwy 26
Princeton, IL 61356
City County Park is located approximately 0.7 mile north of Interstate 80, Princeton Exit 56. Traveling north from I-80 (Main Street/Route 26) the entrance to the park has a sign and is on the right-hand side of the road.
For more information: Call 815-878-1861
Tags: Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Festival, Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Days, Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War Reenactment, Civil War Renactment
Mark your calendar today so your don’t miss the next Shadows Of The Blue and Gray Civil War Festival at City County Park in Princeton, IL.