Experience living history at Lombard's Civil War re-enactment

It's not often a family of four can find a weekend outing that totals only $20, but the Lombard Historical Society's Civil War Re-enactment will do just that when it returns to the village Saturday and Sunday.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at Four Seasons Park near the intersection of Finley Road and 16th Street. It will feature loud cannons, women in hoop skirts and ballgowns, men dressed as Confederate and Union soldiers, and lots of props to give visitors a real-life glimpse at an 1860s war camp.

"There are so many things to see and do and we only ask for a $5 donation per person," Lombard Historical Society Executive Director Sarah Richardt said.

The weekend's activities will begin with a new Friday night event being held in conjunction with the Helen Plum Library. In recent years, a Civil War movie was screened in the park the night before the event began, but organizers decided to host a free "Civil War and More" trivia event instead at 7 p.m. Friday.

"If you're a big Civil War buff, there are going to be some challenging questions. But if you're not a Civil War buff, it's still going to be a lot of fun," Richardt said, adding that the winners will get a chance to shoot a cannon on Saturday or Sunday.

The 1st Brigade Band will make an appearance at the event for the first time Saturday, to perform a 90-minute concert at noon on historic brass instruments and drums. There are rumors, Richardt said, that they might even play "1812 Overture" with live cannons as an accompaniment.

"They are unbelievable," she said.

Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln impersonators Max and Donna Daniels will make an appearance that day, too. Military drills and demonstrations - on foot, in boats and atop horses - will be ongoing both days.

The host unit, Stanford's Battery, portrays a Confederate unit from Mississippi. The actors will take part in four skirmishes between the North and South at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day.

"I always look forward to the battles," Richardt said. "It's a pyrotechnic amazement, the things that they do that make this look realistic. It's amazing to see, and it's so much fun."

Other highlights include music from the Plank Road Folk Music Society, tents set up with information about period clothing and goods, medical care and embalming and a ballroom dance lesson at noon on Sunday.

For a full list of activities and more information, visit lombardscivilwar.weebly.com.