Southport under ‘attack’

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Re-enactors from The Forces of Montcalm and Wolfe will stage the French and Indian War at Southport Park on Saturday and Saturday. A presentation on Friday will be geared toward fourth-graders.

Soldiers are prepared to battle the Indians.

American history will come to life Friday, Saturday and Sunday as The Forces of Montcalm and Wolfe from Danville re-enact the French and Indian War at Southport Park, 6901 Derbyshire Road.
Friday’s program runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will be attended by fourth-graders from Perry Township Schools.

The event will give pupils the opportunity to ask questions about history, said Southport Mayor Jesse Testruth. “Schools only have a certain amount of time to teach history. Southport can reintroduce history by doing these re-enactments.” 

The weekend programs start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Activities will include drill and fashion shows, performances by drum corps, storytelling, canon demonstrations, tomahawk throwing contests and period music. 

In between events, spectators will be encouraged to complete a scavenger hunt. There will also be period games and vendors. More details and a timetable of events are listed at www.southportevents.org.
Skilled at what they do, the re-enactors share their love of the past by taking part in living history events at sites throughout North America. In addition, many members are involved in research.
 
The re-enactors will camp at the park in period-style while cooking over open fires and remaining in character.
“These folks are just going to literally be living in the park,” said parks Director Marylynne Winslow. “It’s something different to be in our city and a way for people to learn about history. I’m really looking forward to the whole weekend. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It will bring in people from all over the state, not just our city.”

The French and Indian War ran from 1756-63 and was also known as the Seven-year War. The conflict involved the American colonies, Austria, England, France, Great Britain, Prussia and Sweden. The war played out around the world, with the English and French battling for colonial domination in North America.