Living History June 2002

FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN

Bratwurst, fresh pastries, pretzels and German beer are just a few of the goodies you’ll enjoy at the Annual Bavarian Festival. If you need more incentive to attend than just great food, come for the cultural activities. Visit Heritage Park June 6-9, and celebrate Bavarian-style. Polka bands and other traditional Bavarian musicians will provide the music for you to bust a move. Saturday is Kinderfest, or Children’s Day, so bring the kids for the youth parade. And on Sunday don’t miss the culminating event of the festival — the German-Polish Picnic and Grand Parade. Marching bands and entertainers perform, and the Bavarian princess is crowned. Call (800) FUNTOWN or visit <www.frankenmuth.org>.

WEST LIBERTY, OHIO

Brush up on your history lessons while you learn about the diverse residents who lived in the Mac-O-Chee Valley from 1760 to 1814. A Call to Liberty re-creates Colonial and Native American life in the valley in a fun and entertaining setting. The re-enactment makes its debut June 7-9 at West Liberty Lions Park. Bring the family and take in a weekend of music, craft demonstrations, fashion, tomahawk throwing, rifle and cannon demonstrations, bonfire dances, storytelling and singing. Call (937) 465-9540 or visit <westliberty.com>.

STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA

Visit the site where Gen. George Armstrong Custer once led the 7th Cavalry. The 5th Annual Sturgis-Fort Meade Cavalry Days Celebration highlights the time period during the 19th century when the fort was a frontier cavalry post. From June 7-9 you can participate in historical tours, a parade, the cowboy stew cook-off or the children’s fishing derby at nearby Barry Stadium. Mountain men, fur traders and Native American historians will be on hand to inform visitors. Re-enactments include the Great Sturgis Bank Robbery, an encampment of the Frontier Army of the Dakotas and a military ball. Call (605) 347-2556 or visit <www.sturgis-sd.org>.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Catch Abraham Lincoln conducting a press conference or Clara Barton making an appearance at the annual Civil War Camp Day. Arrive at Fort Ward Historic Site on June 22 to partake in Civil War-era, day-to-day leisure activities. Interpreters will demonstrate what life was like in the Army for the North and South. Observe old-fashioned drilling, cooking and weapons maintenance. Bring your children, and they can meet the school marm. Suggested admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Call (800) 388-9119 or visit <www.funside.com>.