Grand Thanksgiving Fete & Festival @ Fort Pulaski (tours, sack races, wheelbarrow races, cannon firings), Savannah
Thanksgiving Field Day 2013 @ Fort Pulaski, Savannah
11/30/2013
10AM to 3:30 PM
Fee: $5 Entrance Fee
Contact Name: Gloria Lee (912) 786-5787 ext 104
Fort Pulaski will commemorate the 151st anniversary of the Grand Thanksgiving Fete and Festival of 1862. 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.
Schedule of Events
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 Cannon Firing Demonstration
11:00 – 3:00 Burlesque Dress Parade
Dress in the fort’s Civil War garb.
JUNIOR PARK RANGERS
When you take kids to tour national parks, you never know how much they are getting out of the visit. Especially for those of us moms who aren’t exactly history experts.
Which is why you need to pick up the Junior Ranger booklets at the visitor centers of national parks you visit. The Junior Ranger program kids engage more during the visits.
Junior Ranger booklets have activities about the national parks for ages 5-12. Junior ranger books are free to any visitor and usually are available at the visitors’ centers. Often, similar programs with more advanced activities are also available for older kids. Just ask at the site’s visitor center.
While doing the activities, children enjoy earning a badge and a certificate.
Various national parks that have Junior Ranger programs include:
*Fort Pulaski National Monument, on U.S. 80 en route to Tybee Island. Info on the Fort Pulaski Junior Program here.
*Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.
*Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.
Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on U.S. Highway 80, 15 miles east of Savannah. Learn more at www.nps.gov/fopu and visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/