'They're educating them': Civil War Show offers history lessons this weekend in Mansfield
Columns of soldiers will march through the Richland County Fairgrounds this coming weekend with orders to engage all who dare approach.
The 46th annual Ohio Civil War Show will take place Saturday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The event will feature cannon-firing demonstrations, nearly1,200 memorabilia dealers and reenactors who will cover every conflict from the Revolutionary War to World War II.
More than 5,000 people travel to Mansfield from across the United States to attend every year, according to Teresa Drushel, the show's longtime co-manager.
Admission is $7. Children 11 and younger are admitted for free. Parking is free.
Food will be available for purchase all weekend.
2023: Richland County Fairgrounds holds annual Civil War Show
Eight cannons will be fired both days of the Civil War Show
The most popular display of the event will likely be the eight Civil War cannons that will be fired throughout the weekend.
The cannons will be fired Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., then again Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
"It's impressive seeing eight of these guns on the line and and how they fired in different volleys all at once," Drushel said. "It's great to see the commands and how it was done. Boy, does it draw the crowd. People swarm up to that line to watch that."
So much black powder will explode during each artillery shot that the volleys will be heard several miles away in downtown Mansfield and Ontario.
"And you realize that's not even a full round of gunpowder," Drushel said. "It’s hard to imagine being on the firing line with the guns that close together when you're fighting to save your life."
The cannon-firing display includes infantry demonstrations of troops depicting tactics from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
'They're educating them'
A number of other artillery that saw combat in various wars and conflicts also will be fired throughout the weekend.
A U.S. infantry division and a German special forces unit will fire several fully automatic World War II weapons Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
A medical air evacuation squadron from World War II will host demonstrations Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Musical demonstrations will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. as well as Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
A Gettysburg Address presentation takes place each day at noon.
A church service will be open to the public Sunday at 10 a.m.
All of the reenactors will have their living quarters set up throughout the fairgrounds so families can see what life was like for soldiers during each of our nation's wars.
"I like to see the interest when the kids ask the questions," Drushel said. "They're educating them. They let them do a hands-on and let them sit down and see what it's all about."
'Nothing is quite like our event'
The show began in Ashland in 1977. It quickly became one of the premiere shows of its type nationwide.
"Nothing is quite like our event because we have the outside attractions," Drushel said. "That's what really brings the people."
The show has grown to include reenactments, memorabilia and munitions dated anywhere between 1775 and 1945.
"There's still interest in our history and our past," Drushel said. "It's not just for collectors, it's for interested people who want come and see what it’s all about."
To learn more, visit ohiocivilwarshow.com.
ztuggle@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio Civil War show brings reenactors, vendors nationwide to Mansfield
