Host Preservation Fundraiser Sept. 30
Tunbridge Fairground
TUNBRIDGE, Vt.

A torchlight parade led by Civil War reenactors will return by popular demand at Vermont's 4th annual fundraiser for Civil War battlefield preservation on Sept. 30.

A Civil War encampment, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, period music, displays, cavalry drills and talks on Vermonters' roles during the war will be featured.

The event is organized by the 18th Vermont Regiment Inc., volunteers for the preservation of Vermont history. More than $15,000 raised at the previous fundraisers went directly to the Civil War Preservation Trust earmarked for land acquisition where Vermonters fought.

The Tunbridge Fairgrounds will open to the public at 11 a.m. with cannon fire as the signal to begin a full day of activities culminating in the torchlight parade through Tunbridge village at dusk.

The Vermont Civil War Hemlocks, who are known for their authentic re-creations of camp life, parade drills and firing demonstrations, will do musket drill and artillery firing. They will be joined by the Civil War Medical Coalition, other infantry units and a cavalry unit.

Artifacts from private and historical society collections will be shown. Historians Jeffery Marshall, Paul Zeller and others will detail Vermont's numerous contributions during the war in brief talks held at scheduled times throughout the day.

The traditional raffle offers many items including Dale Gallon's "A Good Shot" print and Ken Burns's "Civil War" video series. Raffle tickets will be available at the event and at the Tunbridge World's Fair in mid-September, as well as other locations around the state prior to Sept. 30.

An entrance fee of $10 dollars for adults and $2 dollars for children under age 15 will be charged.

For information call (802) 889-3458.