Civil War battles on tap for Gardnerville event

A large-scale Civil War re-enactment will be the highlight of the final weekend celebration of Gardnerville's 125th birthday.

Three hundred members of the Nevada Civil War Volunteers will be on hand for Heritage Weekend, June 19-20, to perform four battles, complete with cannons, horses and black-powder rifles.

Along with the battles will be several living history demonstrations, including a field hospital, a gang of mountain men and several blacksmiths.

The 6-acre lot behind the west wing of Heritage Park, off Gilman Avenue, will be turned into a battlefield for the weekend. Union and Confederate soldiers will set up camp behind the pavilion.

The living history exhibits will help add flavor to the 1800s theme of the weekend. Several crafters are scheduled to sell home-spun, old-fashioned merchandise.

Organizers hope the community will come to the event dressed in attire from the era.

"We'd love it if people came in costume," said committee chair Anet Sewell.

The celebration kicks off April 5 at 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. John and Mary Gardner and Lawrence Gilman will be on hand for a re-enactment of the signing of the deed.

Gardnerville Town Manager Jim Park said the town board will read a proclamation and that he hopes to have proclamations from the county commission and Gov. Kenny Guinn.

On March 26, the Nevada State Museum will conduct the first stamping of the commemorative medallions to be sold in conjunction with the celebration. The minting is open to the public. Gardnerville Town Board members will dedicate Heritage Park on March 28.

The committee also said they are hoping some of the local service organizations will step up to help out with traffic control, park maintenance and clean-up, and public information during the three scheduled weekends of celebration.

Gardnerville Town Board will hear a presentation on the final schedule for the celebrations at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Contact Joey Crandall at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 212.