Civil War Activities
Saturday, August 9
12:00 - 6:00 pm, Civil War Stage

American vs. American. North vs. South. Brother vs. brother. The Civil War touched the lives of Americans like nothing else. Visitors to this year’s Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival can get an up-close look at what life was like for the soldiers and their families during the Living History encampment Saturday, August 9, on the riverfront near Dan Emmett’s home.

Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Co. B, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and the Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil War will be on hand where there will be blanket talks, demonstrating the essentials a soldier carried with him in his knapsack; drills, where the soldiers marched and learned battlefield techniques under the watchful eye of their sergeant; and weapon firing demonstrations.

The groups will hold a flag raising ceremony on Saturday at 10:00 am. on Public Square. At 10:30 am., the re-enactors will lead a parade down South Main Street to the encampment and Dan Emmett’s boyhood home where a dedication ceremony will be held at 11:00 am The Union and Confederate camps will be open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. where visitors can learn about life in the 1860s.

Ball & Stahl will entertain the audience at 12:30 pm. followed by a cannon demonstration by the 1st Ohio Light Artillery at 1:00 pm. Members of the re-enactment group will explain the different positions of the six-man firing squads, demonstrating what each soldier is required to do, and then firing off the six-pound cannon. Abraham Lincoln, aka Gerry Payn, will speak at 2:00 pm., followed by a skirmish between the Union and Confederate soldiers at 2:30 pm.

Even with the war going on between the North and the South at the time, there were still plenty of opportunities for men and women to socialize. One of the best ways was a ball, complete with caller, dancing and, of course, socializing. Waltzes and reels were the order of the day, giving men a chance to court a woman in a social setting. A Civil War Period Ball will be held Friday night from 7:00 to 8:30 .m. in the First-Knox National Bank parking lot on the corner of South Main and Vine Streets. Re-enactors will be participating, but the public is welcome to join in on dances such as the Virginia Reel, the Grand March and the Pattycake Polka.

Friday’s Events

7:00-8:30 pm Civil War Era Ball
First-Knox Center Stage

Saturday’s Events
Activities at lawn in front of Dan Emmett's home (501 South Main Street) unless indicated

10:00 am — Flag Raising on Square by the Civil War Honor Guard
10:30 am — Civil War Parade to the Dan Emmett House, sponsored by the Mount Vernon News
11:00 am — Dan Emmett Dedication at the Dan Emmett House, sponsored by Ohio Cumberland Gas
12:00-6:00 pm — Civil War Camp open for visitors
12:30 pm — Ball & Stahl performance
1:00 pm —Cannon Firing Demonstration
2:00 pm — Gerry Payn as “Abraham Lincoln”
2:30 pm — Skirmish between Union & Confederate Soldiers

Note: All schedules and events are subject to change without notice. Please continue to check our website for all the latest updates.

For more information, call 740-392-FEST (3378) or e-mail: festival@danemmettfestival.org
or visit the Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.VisitKnoxOhio.org