Galesburg Heritage Days turns 31 this year, running Friday through Sunday, Aug. 14-16, at Lake Storey Park in Galesburg. Organizers Dave Bernhart and Mark Ebner joined Galesburg’s Morning News on Thursday to preview the free, family-friendly event. Nearly 1,000 reenactors and about 50 merchants are expected across two side-by-side venues — a pre-1840 Rendezvous and a Civil War encampment.
They talked about:
- Why running two separate living-history venues on the same weekend is so rare
- How this year’s event ties into the 250th anniversary of the United States
- A descendant of Civil War nurse Mary Bickerdyke traveling from Florida to trace his family history in Galesburg
- Highlights at both the Civil War camp and the Rendezvous, including a “chat” with General Robert E. Lee and the candy cannon
- Hours, parking and how to get around between the two venues
- Visit the Galesburg Heritage Days website.
Related story: Nearly 1,000 reenactors head to Galesburg for Heritage Days’ 31st year
🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg’s Morning News on Apple Podcasts and Spotify