Thunder in the Park returns to Waukon City Park this weekend
The "Thunder in the Park" Civil War re-enactment event is scheduled to take place throughout the Waukon City Park this Friday evening through Sunday, June 12-14. A brief description of events taking place during this weekend's full slate of activity appears to the left, with a full schedule, a map and further details about this year's re-enactment events being available in a special publication inserted in last week's (June 3) issue of The Standard and available for pick-up at the "Thunder in the Park" entrance location throughout the weekend. Photo by Bob Beach.
"Thunder in the Park,” a Civil War battle re-enactment, returns to Allamakee County for its third year after a successful debut in 2013, providing an opportunity to enjoy a fun and entertaining family weekend while experiencing a bit of American history. The event is being held in the Waukon City Park Friday evening through Sunday, June 12-14.
Saturday and Sunday admission is free to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Freewill donations will be accepted and applied to expenses of future events. This event is sponsored by many Waukon and Allamakee County businesses and non-profit organizations.
The “Thunder in the Park” event will actually kick off Friday night, June 12 with a performance of “In The Lincoln Parlor” written by Jessica Michna and performed by Lance Mack as President Abraham Lincoln and Jessica Michna as Mary Todd Lincoln. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the north pavilion shelter of Waukon City Park.
Over the weekend, the “Thunder” will be produced by the cannons on the battlefield, as battles of the Civil War are replayed for today’s observers. There will be educational and entertaining programs scheduled all weekend to give one a taste of how life was lived in those times.
There will be opportunities to watch military drills and medical demonstrations and learn about how the soldiers lived during the war. The soldier re-enactors will be happy to answer any questions about their uniforms, weapons, camp equipment and more. Re-enactors will also portray important historical figures, such as General Grant, President Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and Civil War nurse Cordelia Harvey, to provide perspective from those times.
New this year will be a blacksmithing demonstration by Jim Edrington and an "Apples through the Ages" presentation by Dan Bussey. Edrington is a long-time blacksmith demonstrator with an education from the Midwest School of Horseshoeing and will demonstrate his blacksmithing skills. Bussey is the orchard manager at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah and will be discussing the history of the apple.
Some events, such as the kids games and Civil War era weapons displays and demonstrations will be ongoing all day Saturday and Sunday. Other events include a Civil War era fashion show and “Women in the Civil War” presented by Carolyn Richards. Also, don’t miss “Professor Chalmers Bodkin-Childs Amazing Patent Medicines And Magic Show” presented by Faire Wynds Entertainment.
For more information about this year's event call the Waukon Chamber of Commerce at 563-568-4110 or check Facebook for “Allamakee County Thunder in the Park.”
