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Civil War Days to be staged one week later
By Tonia Goertz
The biannual Pipestone event called Civil War Days will be held August 16 and 17 in 2008. This date is one week later than usual due to the fair board changing the dates for the County Fair.
“At this point,” Chuck Ness explained, “we have two groups of re-enactors coming, and this was all made possible by a group out of Mason City Iowa changing the date of their event to allow us to hold ours.”
Ness went on explaining, “Each year, we need two groups of re-enactors, and a variety of period vendors and entertainment. These people come from across the US, and weekends are booked far in advance. Once again, the 13th Infantry Regiment out of Sioux Falls will be the hosting group.”
Mick Myers of the Pipestone Chamber of Commerce explained, “We simply could not hold this the same week as the fair because both events require volunteers, and many people work both events.”
Both Myers and Ness stressed that the event has grown in stature since it was created in 1989, and again next year, Pipestone will be receiving a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities council to help offset the cost of the event.
Again next year, Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln played by Max and Donna Daniels will be in Pipestone for this event. The Pipestone event was one of the first of its kind in the area, and is considered by re-enactors and the public to be one of the best living history events in the region.
Both Myers and Ness stressed the uniqueness of the event taking place in a community the size of Pipestone, especially one of this quality and size and it is expected that this will be one of the only Civil War re-enactments to be held in Minnesota in 2008.
Ness explained, “In light of the educational purpose of the event, the Civil War Days participants will include a variety of ‘living historians’ or re-enactors from the upper mid-west and across the country, recreated scenes from military camp life, religious, and daily life, people portraying the customs and manners of the era, and authentic battle scenarios. This is all a big deal in Pipestone because in 1886, The Grand Army of the Republic held an encampment here to honor the veterans who had served in the civil war. It was such a large gathering that the Burlington Northern railroad ran tracks out to the site and the event had over 10,000 visitors a day.”
Ness continued, “We try to provide a fun and educational opportunity for visitors to see what life was like, but we also do it to honor the veterans. This year, we are hoping to have a presentation on the military uses of hot air balloons during the Civil War. It is not definite, but we are trying and it will be interesting if we can get that.”
As always, organizers are looking for volunteers, and if interested please contact Susan Hoskins at the Pipestone County Museum, or Mick Myers at the Pipestone Chamber of Commerce.
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