Fort Pulaski to Host a Thanksgiving Field Day
Fort Pulaski National Monument will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Grand Thanksgiving Fete and Festival of 1862 on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The event will recreate the field day offered by the 48th New York Infantry to celebrate their first Thanksgiving in Fort Pulaski.
The original event, held in 1862, gave the Union garrison of Fort Pulaski a respite from the constant vigilance which they maintained throughout their year-long residence on Cockspur Island. Of the day's events, one soldier commented, "The day was a memorable one, contrasting as it did so severely with the events which placed us there and continued to disturb the country."
Everyone is encouraged to participate in foot races, sack races, and wheelbarrow races. Amusements of the day will include guided tours of the fort and historic weapons demonstrations.
The event will also be an opportunity to try on clothing of the Civil War era. All are encouraged to participate in the "burlesque dress parade". There will be clothing for men, women, and children, as well as accessories for the proper period look.
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012
10:00 Guided Fort Tour
11:00 Foot Race (public competition)
11:15 Sack Race (public competition)
11:45 Wheelbarrow Race (public competition)
12:30 Cannon Firing Demonstration
1:00 Guided Fort Tour
2:00 Foot Race (public competition)
2:15 Sack Race (public competition)
2:45 Wheelbarrow Race (public competition)
3:30 Musket Firing Demonstration
11:00 - 3:00 Burlesque Dress Parade Dress in the fort's Civil War garb.
Fort Pulaski National Monument is on U.S. Hwy 80, 15 miles east of Savannah. An entrance fee of $5 per person is charged; ages 15 and under are free. For more information, please visit the website of Fort Pulaski National Monument at www.nps.gov/fopu or call (912) 786-5787. You can also follow the park on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FortPulaskiNPS or like the official Fort Pulaski National Monument Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortPulaskiNPS.
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
