Encampment coming to Mt. Prospect
The Mount Prospect Historical Society, in conjunction with the Mount Prospect Park District and the North West Territory Alliance, will hold a Revolutionary War encampment/re-enactment May 14-15 at Lions Park, 411 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect.
The two-day event, “Colony and Crown: A Revolutionary Experience,” will bring about 150 members of the Alliance, the premiere Revolutionary War re-enactment group in the Midwest, to Mount Prospect. They will be camping, cooking, fighting and working as those would have in the mid-1770s.
Participants come from as far away as Ohio and Minnesota to participate in the authentic encampment, battle demonstrations, tomahawk and bayonet contests, artillery demonstrations, colors ceremonies and more.
Authentic period merchants will peddle handmade Revolutionary-style items. Knowledgeable re-enactors, dressed in authentic period dress, will show visitors how our forefathers lived, dressed, worked and fought for our freedom.
“NWTA members are enthusiastic about adding this event to their yearly schedule of encampments,” said Greg Peerbolte, executive director of the Mount Prospect Historical Society.
“Re-enactments this close to major metropolitan areas are rare. Most are held in more rural areas,” Peerbolte said.
“So they are pleased to start their 2011 season with an encampment that members of the public can easily reach via either public transportation or private vehicle.”
Lions Park is two blocks from the Mount Prospect Metra station. Free parking will be available within a short walk of the encampment.
Admission to “Colony and Crown” is $10; $5 for children ages 3-12; and free for ages 2 and younger. Refreshments at the event will be sold by the Mount Prospect Park District, but many local restaurants are also available in nearby downtown Mount Prospect.
For more on “Colony and Crown,” visit mtphist.org.