The Roaring Run Watershed Association will host what they believe is the area’s first Civil War reenactment Aug. 13 and 14 at the Roaring Run Trail in Kiski Township.
The program, “A Walk Through History,” will feature Civil War reenactment stations along the first half-mile of the trail from the Canal Road trailhead to the rustic-covered bridge.
“We wanted to try it because there’s a lot of history on the trail,” said Ken Kaminski, president of the watershed association’s board.
Events and demonstrations include women in the Civil War, a meet-and-greet with Civil War Gen. Samuel Jackson, a live cannon demonstration, Civil War cooking, a battle reenactment and a kids’ battle.
The trail parking lot at the Canal Road trailhead will be closed as will the kayak launch. Event patrons and visitors to the trail will need to park in Apollo and take a free shuttle at 310 Clifford Ave.
Apollo’s canal system, the remnants of which still are visible on the Roaring Run Trail, played an instrumental role in transporting residents on their way to train for the Civil War, said Chris Troup, 46, of Saltsburg, who is a Civil War reenactor.
Troup and his sons will be among a group of volunteers. Troup is the coordinator of the event and first sergeant of the 40th Pennsylvania 11th Reserves Company C.
“We will have impersonators of Civil War characters along the trail, staging different scenes,” he said.
Home school events will be offered on-site Friday, Aug. 12, for two sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at the pavilion at the Roaring Run Trail. The fee is $15 per child and includes lunch. The home school is open to all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult during the program.
Most events are free.
For more information on the event, visit the Roaring Run Facebook page. For more information on the home school event, email lindseyrichardson822@gmail.com.