Seasonal & Holidays
Civil War Days Is This Weekend at Local Forest Preserve
The 27th annual Civil War Days will be held at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.
From LCFPD: The Lake County Forest Preserves invites visitors of all ages to see history brought to life at the 27th annual Civil War Days at Forest Preserve in Wauconda on Saturday, June 30, from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, July 1, from 9 am to 3 pm. Hear the boom of cannons, the crack of rifles and the galloping of horse hooves at the largest Civil War reenactment in northern Illinois. The event draws over 600 re-enactors from seven states, and 4,000 visitors from Illinois and surrounding areas.
Battle reenactments
Watch as union and confederate forces collide in battle on both Saturday and Sunday. A new event, which began last year, is the firing of an 1862-era Gatling gun, the precursor to the modern machine gun that was used during the Civil War.
Explore military and civilian camps
Explore the military and civilian encampments to learn about life in the 1860s. In the civilian camps and Civil War shops, visitors can meet blacksmiths, quilters and tin smiths. In the military camps, reenactors bring to life activities such as payday, weapon checks, mail call and drills.
Meet historical figures
Meet important figures from the Civil War era including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and generals Lee, Jackson, Custer and Grant. Kids can enjoy special period crafts and games.
Visit the 1863 Summer Fair
Attend the 1863 Summer Fair to learn more about life on the homefront. Imagine—a war-time summer agricultural and social event in a prosperous, hard-working county of the President’s own great state of Illinois!
Admission
Daily admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for youth (ages 4–17) and seniors (62 and up). Children 3 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased online or on-site. Save $1 off admission when you buy your ticket online, or download a coupon and present it at the event. A weekend pass is $15 for adults, and $7 for youth and seniors.
Military veterans are free. Active duty military personnel and their families (up to five members) are free as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
Image Via LCFPD
