Department of Parks
Experience the Civil War Era at Columbus-Belmont State Park Oct. 10-12

COLUMBUS, Ky. – Civil War buffs can experience live battle reenactments and other historical interpretations of this era at Columbus-Belmont State Park’s 18th annual Civil War Days Oct. 10-12, 2008.

The park on the Mississippi River in southwestern Kentucky will stage a wide variety of Civil War entertainment, including music, dancing, period costumes and refreshments starting Friday morning and continuing through Sunday afternoon. The weekend will include two battle reenactments, living history, and encampments.

Friday is "education day".  Schools, scouts, groups, and clubs are encouraged to schedule field trips.  Battles will be staged at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 
There will also be a Civil War ball on Saturday evening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday morning, a camp meeting will be staged at 8 a.m. for reenactors and the public, while a Memorial Service for the fallen will be held at Columbus Cemetery at 10 a.m.

Sutlers and food vendors will be on site to serve the needs of the reenactors and visiting guests.  Special music and other entertainment will be offered daily.

For more information, including a schedule of events, call the park office (270-677-2327) or email cindy.lynch@ky.gov.

Columbus-Belmont State Park is located at 350 Park Rd. in Columbus, Ky. Columbus is in Hickman County, on the Mississippi River in the southwestern tip of Kentucky that borders Missouri.

The park features a Civil War Museum, camping, hiking trails, mini-golf and picnic area, along with boat ramps to the Mississippi River. The site contains fortifications built by the Confederate army and later taken by Union forces, including a six ton anchor used to secure a great chain that stretched across the river.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.