Celebrate the Fourth of July over Reenactment Weekend

Published July 2, 2013

In just two days, the Gettysburg 150th National Civil War Reenactment will be underway. If you’ve been in Gettysburg already during the 150th Anniversary Celebration, you’ve seen our downtown abuzz with lots of activity — film screenings, historic walking tours, cultural performances, and more.

For four days (July 4 – 7), military and civilian re-enactors will help recreate the scene and mood of the Battle of Gettysburg through skirmishes, period encampments, and demonstrations. It’s truly a memorable way to experience — in some small way, anyway — the events leading up to the battle and visualize the impact to both the landscape and the citizens of Gettysburg.

Freedom Transit will be operating free service throughout downtown and surrounding areas, so you’ll be able to easily get to the site of the reenactment. Shuttle service for the reenactment runs from 8am – 8pm, July 4 – 6, and from 8am – 6pm on July 7. Don’t worry — there will plenty of staff to direct to the appropriate line.

The annual Gettysburg Community Parade and Fireworks will be held on July 3 to kick things off.
The parade kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Lefevre Street and follows East Middle Street to Baltimore Street and onward to Steinwehr Avenue.

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. and they’ll be launched in the vicinity of Mummasburg Road north of Gettysburg and will be visible from throughout the Borough including the Peace Light area. A prime viewing location is on the grassy area between the College’s athletic complex and dining center, along West Lincoln Avenue.
Sponsored by the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau in partnership with Gettysburg College

Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 4th
8:30 a.m. – Gates Open & Your Adventure Begins
9:00 a.m. – The 46th PA Brass Band opens up our event and lifts up your heart. (Activities Tent 1)
9:30 a.m. – An eye opening discussion of “Civil War Medicine”. (Activities Tent 2)
10:00 a.m. – General Longstreet tells you his plan for Gettysburg. (Activities Tent 1)
10:30 a.m. – General Hank talks about the battle to come. (Activities Tent 2)
11:00 a.m. – Battle: “The Devils to Pay” 1st Day Struggle, Willoughby Run Live Mortar Fire Demonstration. Watch as the balls fly through the air to their target with an explosive ending. (Field Demonstration)
1:00 p.m. – Enjoy Patrick Falci, noted Actor & Historian, as he talks about playing A.P. Hill in the movie “Gettysburg”. (Activities Tent 1)
1:30 p.m. – General Robert E. Lee discusses his plans for Gettysburg. (Activities Tent 2)
2:00 p.m. – The Pinkerton Agency and the spies of the Civil War. (Activities Tent 1)
2:30 p.m. – A soldiers story by Brandon Booth. (Activities Tent 2)
3:00 p.m. – A civil War wedding for all to enjoy and renew your Vows too. (Activities Tent 1)
3:30 p.m. – Dixie Rose Relief Society tells you about the CS soldiers nursing needs. (Activities Tent 2)
4:00 p.m. – How to become a Civil War Reenactor by ALHES. (Activities Tent 1)
4:30 p.m. – Meet the Confederate Generals at a War meeting. (Activities Tent 2)
6:00 p.m. – Battle: “Crossroads of Destiny” Federal & Confederate Troops Pour into Battle on the First Day
7:00 p.m. – Ghostly Encounters of Gettysburg with Johlene “Spooky” Riley and “Captain” Chris Taylor (Activities Tent 1)

Friday, July 5th
8:30 a.m. – Gates Open & Your Adventure Begins
9:00 a.m. – Matthew Brady tell the story of ,”Civil War Photography”. (Activities Tent 1)
9:30 a.m. – Civil War Medicine at Gettysburg. (Activities Tent 2)
10:00 a.m. – A Confederate soldier tells his story of his Civil War adventure. (Activities Tent 1)
10:30 a.m. – US Generals talk about the “Good Ground”. (Activities Tent 2)
11:00 a.m. – Battle: “Springing The Trap” Cavalry Battle at Hunterstown Live Mortar Fire Demonstration. Watch as the balls fly through the air to their target with an explosive ending. (Field Demonstration)
12:30 p.m. – Actor & Historian Patrick Falci talks about his time on the set of “Gettysburg”. (Activities Tent 1)
1:00 p.m. – “The ladies of the Dixie Rose Relief Society tell their story of Hardships. (Activities Tent 2)
1:30 p.m. – Spies and the Pinkerton Agency talk about their Civil War successes. (Activities Tent 1)
2:00 p.m. – General Longstreet expresses his thoughts on the third day. (Activities Tent 2)
2:30 p.m. – Review the civil War Fashions of the 1860′s with Carolann Schmitt. (Activities Tent 1)
3:00 p.m. – Attend a Civil War wedding and renew your personal vows. (Activities Tent 2)
3:30 p.m. – Ghostly Encounters of Gettysburg with Johlene “Spooky” Riley and “Captain” Chris Taylor (Activities Tent 1)
4:00 p.m. – General Hancock makes his plans for the battle. (Activities Tent 2)
4:30 p.m. – The United States Christian Commission tells of their struggles to help the soldier. (Activities Tent 1)
5:00 p.m. – How to become a Civil War Reenactor by American Living History Education Society (ALHES). (Activities Tent 2)
6:00 p.m. – Battle: “A Bloody Harvest” Ferocious Fighting in the Wheatfield