Thunder in the Park features much more than just Civil War battles within its activities for all ages

The Allamakee County “Thunder in the Park,” program for June 14 and 15 is, first and foremost, a reenactment of specific Civil War battles, and each day will feature a battle which visitors can observe and experience the feeling of being there in the midst of battle. Cannons will provide the thunder, and cavalry and infantry soldiers will engage in battle. It is an opportunity to see a bit of history, as it happened 150 years ago.
But the battles are only part of the entire program. There is much, much more to learn, see and do during this busy family-oriented event being held at the Waukon City Park.
Re-enactors in both the North and South camps live the weekend as the Civil War soldiers lived. They know the history and traditions and they are quite willing to share that knowledge with those who have an interest. Whether it be food or firearms, or any other topics, there is history to be learned. Attendees may visit the camps during scheduled hours and have a conversation with the soldiers who are living there, and take advantage of the opportunity to observe military drills and medical demonstrations. Camp areas will be off limits to the visiting public during the battles.
Throughout both days, there is a full schedule of events. Some events will continue all day, and those would include games and crafts for the kids, a quilt and local history exhibition, and a Civil War era weapons display.
Kids games and crafts will include games popular with children in the Civil War era. There will be three-legged races and jump rope with rhyming games. There will also be games of “quoits” (like horseshoes with rings and pegs), and “graces” (a skill of touching and tossing a ring with two sticks). Crafts will include the making of rag dolls and corn husk dolls.
In the gazebo, there will be a quilting and local history display, including the Civil War Memorial quilt that lists the names of all the Allamakee County soldiers killed in the Civil War. There will also be a list of all the Allamakee County soldiers who fought in the Civil War and brief histories of some of the units.
The weapons display will be provided by Shane Christen, who considers himself an historian. He has thoroughly researched infantry weapons of the Civil War. He talks about the firearms and the evolution of firearms technology, and dispenses little known facts, e.g. some soldiers of the Civil War went into combat using weapons used in the Revolutionary War 100 years earlier. Christen will have a display that includes almost every infantry firearm used by Iowa and Minnesota soldiers. The display also includes all the tools used to maintain the firearms. Almost all of the firearms on display are authentic, original weapons.
Saturday night visitors can dance to the music of the Western Home String Band. Also Saturday night, there will be a night fire exercise for the cannons. One might say, thunder and lightning.
Saturday and Sunday events are free. Freewill donations will be gratefully accepted. Additional events will be featured in future articles.