Friday, September 5, 2003

6 pm  - Tri-Tip Barbeque at River Lodge.
$10 general admission.  The public is encouraged to attend to this pre-event  Tri Tip Barbeque.  The dinner is a fundraiser for the Fortuna High School Music Department.  Meet some of the Reenactors before they take the field of battle.

Of special note for 2003:

A balloonist will be on site both days reenacting the work of "aeronauts" in the Mechanicsville battle and other Civil War battles..
The American Civil War was the first conflict to use balloons extensively for reconnaissance. The Union army had the first real use of "air power" starting in 1861. See the event program for more information or visit here .

Saturday, September 6, 2003
Saturday and Sunday,  $5 admission for adults,
$1 for children 5 to 13. Children under 5 are free.
(Unaccompanied children pay adult prices.)

10:00 a.m. Camps open for public view.  Witness life as it would have been in the civilian and military camps.

12 Noon First Battle.  View the reenacted battles from grandstands on a berm facing the battlefield.  Spectators wishing to can also watch the battles from above in grandstands on an overlooking hill or from the Eel River levee.

After the Battle: Reenactors will address the crowd on what they have seen and circumstances surrounding the days events.

1:30 p.m. Scotia Band plays in the "town hall" tent.  The band has arranged several brass band pieces from the 1860's especially for the event

Between Battles: Spectators are encouraged to tour the camps, visit hospital sites at both the Union and Confederate camps, see the artillery up close and talk with the soldiers and townspeople.

3 pm Second Battle.  View the reenacted battles from grandstands on a berm facing the battlefield.  Spectators wishing to can also watch the battles from above in grandstands on an overlooking hill or from the Eel River levee.

After the Battle: Reenactors will address the crowd on what they have seen and circumstances surrounding the days' events.
Spectators are encouraged to tour the camps, visit hospital sites at both the Union and Confederate camps, see the artillery up close and talk with the soldiers and townspeople.    Settlers shops in the "town" are open to spectators.  Food vendors are available outside the reenactment site for meals and refreshments.

5:00 p.m. Camps Close to the public

7 to 11 pm. Blue and Gray Ball- pricing to be announce. Tickets limited, to reserve tickets call 707-725-9261 or email fbid@sunnyfortuna.com

 the Blue and Gray Ball at the historic Fortuna Veteran's Hall in Downtown Fortuna.
Late 1800's music by "Good Company", along with a no-host bar serving modern and period drinks. Dance instruction available by Loene Gossett.

Free Shuttle from and to the Reenactment site.

Come in costume! Details here. Uniform/period costume encouraged but not required.

Sunday, September 7, 2003
Saturday and Sunday,  $5 admission for adults,
$1 for children 5 to 13. Children under 5 are free.
(Unaccompanied children pay adult prices.)

9:00 a.m. Civil War Era Church Service at Refugee Camp, open to the public.  Camps also open to the public.

11 am  First Battle.  View the reenacted battles from grandstands on a berm facing the battlefield.  Spectators wishing to can also watch the battles from above in grandstands on an overlooking hill or from the Eel River levee.

Between Battles: Spectators are encouraged to tour the camps, visit hospital sites at both the Union and Confederate camps, see the artillery up close and talk with the soldiers and townspeople.  Settlers shops in the "town" are open to spectators.  Food vendors are available outside the reenactment site for meals and refreshments.

2 pm Second Battle.  View the reenacted battles from grandstands on a berm facing the battlefield.  Spectators may also watch the battles from above in grandstands on a hill overlooking  the reenactment site or from the Eel River levee.

After the Battle: Reenactors will address the crowd on what they have seen and circumstances surrounding the days' events.
Spectators are encouraged to tour the camps, visit hospital sites at both the Union and Confederate camps, see the artillery up close and talk with the soldiers and townspeople.    Settlers shops in the "town" are open to spectators.  Food vendors are available outside the reenactment site for meals and refreshments.

3:00 p.m. Camps Close to the public 

Directions to the Event Site:
Fortuna is located on the redwood coast of California.  The weather here is generally pleasant, and our best days are in September and October.
Days at this time of year can get up around 70, with cool foggy mornings and crisp nights.  As always on the northern California coast, dress in layers and you'll almost always be comfortable.
Fortuna is located about 5 1/2 hours north of San Francisco, 2 1/2 hours west of Redding, and 2 hours south of the Oregon border.

MAP

Coming to Fortuna, California.   On Highway 101, take the Kenmar Road exit and turn West.  The event site will be on your left.
Free Parking is available at the River Lodge Conference Center and in the lot behind Best Western/across from Holiday Inn Express, a short walk from the event.  We are happy to make accommodations for those with more limited mobility or that may have a hard time with the terrain of the natural setting.  Please ask event volunteers on site.  You may also contact event volunteers in advance through the Chamber of Commerce or this website and we will make special accommodations for you or your group.
Reenactor Only parking is available on the berm above the event site. Reenactor parking will be far enough back to keep "farb" to a minimum.  There will be no Reenactor parking on the event site itself.