Date: 07/21/11

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact:
Melanie Smith 
Assistant City Manager
(660) 627-1224

BATTLE OF KIRKSVILLE ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION TAKES PLACE IN DOWNTOWN KIRKSVILLE 

(Kirksville, Mo.) – This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. In commemoration, there will be a Battle of Kirksville weekend celebration August 5, 6 and 7 on Kirksville’s downtown square.

Both adults and children will find entertainment throughout the weekend event, which is free to the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for their leisure.

Friday evening will feature a Civil War-themed “Friday Night on the Square.” Saturday entertainment will include music, games, competitions, and education about the Civil War era and the Battle of Kirksville. Sunday afternoon there will be a community church service at Rotary Park.

The Battle of Kirksville took place August 6-9, 1862 in Adair County. Confederate troops had hidden themselves near Kirksville but were defeated when Yankee troops took over the town of Kirksville. This battle helped secure the Union’s influence in northeastern Missouri.

Please see below for a complete schedule of events, or visit  http://mocivilwar150.com/event/627

Battle of Kirksville 150th Anniversary Commemoration Schedule of Events:

Friday, August 5th:
7pm        Friday Night on the Square-- Courthouse Lawn
                Period Piece music
                DAV: handout flags
                Flag Display
                Table of information on activities

Saturday, August 6th:
3pm        Adair County Historical Society Open (tours, battle diorama) 
                Flag ceremony with Veterans at Courthouse (begins at 3:45pm) 
Courthouse Lawn:
4pm        Scavenger Hunt Begins 
                Medical Tent Opens 
                Children’s Games begin 
                NEMO Country Dance Club: Virginia Reel
4-6pm    Historic Photos—“Have your historic civil war photos taken by Missouri Moments (Photos printed in sepia tones)* fee will be charged for photos”
5pm        Period Piece Music and Costume Contest 
                Last scavenger hunt given out
6pm        Explanation of Flag Display 
                Begin vignettes (Done at the beginning and end)

Sunday, August 7th:
2pm         Kirksville Community Church service at Rotary Park