Civil War Show will be educational and entertaining May 6 and May 7
Soldiers armed with munitions ranging from flintlock muskets to machine guns are preparing to capture the Richland County Fairgrounds for the 45th time since our nation was formed.
Their marching orders are to apprehend the attention of families the weekend of May 6 and 7, explained Wayne Williams, a commander of the Ohio Civil War Show.
"It's a fun event for families," Williams said. "Just a perfect event to to teach your kids about history."
The show will feature cannon-firing demonstrations, memorabilia dealers and reenactors covering every conflict from the Revolutionary War to World War II.
Gates will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7.
'The most-attended Civil War show in the country'
Williams' father, Don, first organized the event in 1977. He held it in the armory in Ashland for two years, then moved to the larger convocation area at what was then Ashland College. The show doubled in size each of the first several years.
"We had so many people wanting to rent tables and come to the show that he decided to move it to Richland County Fairgrounds where we could spread out," Wayne Williams said. "We've been at the fairgrounds 30 years now."
He runs the show with his twin sister, Teresa Drushel, along with their older brother, Greg Williams.
This year would have been the 46th Civil War Show had the 2020 event not been canceled because of COVID-19.
Despite the year off, the show has not missed a step and has actually continued to grow.
"I hear gossip that we probably have the most-attended Civil War show in the country," Williams said. "We draw between 4,000 and 5,000 spectators through the gate in two days, and that's probably double some of the other shows that I attend."
The show has grown to include reenactments, memorabilia and munitions dated anywhere between 1775 and 1945.
'We have eight Civil War cannons'
Programs will be available for spectators throughout both days of the event.
The most popular activity over the years has been the Civil War cannon-firing demonstration that will take place four times: 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 6, then 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 7.
"This year we have eight Civil War cannons registered to be on the firing line," Williams said. "That's the highlight for the crowd to see the cannon firing."
The cannon-firing display includes infantry demonstrations of troops depicting tactics from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
A number of other artillery that saw combat in various wars and conflicts will be fired throughout the weekend.
"We have different artillery outfits coming," Williams said.
A one-time WWII reenactment will depict a standoff between a U.S. Infantry Division and a German special forces unit at 4:30 p.m. May 6.
Medical air evacuations will take place 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 6, then 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 7.
Fife and drum corps and regiment bands will play on both days. The Gettysburg Address will be delivered at noon each day. A church service will be held 10 a.m. May 7.
'Hard to see everything in a day'
Seven buildings across the fairgrounds will feature 750 tables from 450 vendors filled with military memorabilia from 1775 to 1945. The items will be for sale, trade and display. It's billed as the largest exhibition of its type in the country.
In addition to guns, swords and other battle paraphernalia, items available to the public and collectors will include books, photographs, paper goods and apparel.
"It's hard to see everything in a day," Williams said. "It's busy outside and it's busy inside."
The cafeteria at the fairgrounds will be open the entire weekend, and four food trucks will be parked outside.
"There's plenty of access to food," Williams said.
Admission is $7. Children 11 and younger are free. Parking is free.
For more information, visit the show online at ohiocivilwarshow.com.
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Twitter: @zachtuggle
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Civil War Show will be educational and entertaining May 6 and May 7
