Thunder in the Park returns to Waukon City Park this weekend


The "Thunder in the Park" Civil War re-enactment event is scheduled to take place throughout the Waukon City Park this Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15. A brief description of events taking place during this weekend's full slate of activity appears to the left, with a full schedule, a map and further details about this year's re-enactment events being available in a special publication inserted in last week's (June 4) issue of The Standard and available for pick-up at the "Thunder in the Park" entrance location throughout the weekend. Photo by Bob Beach.

"Thunder in the Park,” a Civil War battle re-enactment, returns to Allamakee County this year after a successful debut in 2013, providing an opportunity to enjoy a fun and entertaining family weekend while experiencing a bit of American history. The event is being held in the Waukon City Park Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and June 15.
Saturday and Sunday admission is free to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Freewill donations will be accepted and applied to expenses of future events. This event is sponsored by many Waukon and Allamakee County businesses and non-profit organizations.
“Thunder in the Park” events actually kick off at 7 p.m. Friday evening, June 13 with a performance of the acclaimed play Unconditional Surrender: An Evening With President Grant at the Waukon High School auditorium. Written, produced and performed by Waukon native Pete Grady, it is said that “Ulysses S. Grant comes to life in this informative, humorous and touching portrayal.” Tickets are now available at the Waukon Visitors Center in downtown Waukon, and will be available Friday evening at the door of the event at Waukon High School. Grady’s performance is being sponsored by Dave Martin of Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Over the weekend, the “Thunder” will be produced by the cannons on the battlefield, as battles of the Civil War are replayed for today’s observers. There will be educational and entertaining programs scheduled all weekend to give one a taste of how life was lived in those times.
There will be opportunities to watch military drills and medical demonstrations and learn about how the soldiers lived during the war. The soldier re-enactors will be happy to answer any questions about their uniforms, weapons, camp equipment and more. Re-enactors will also portray important historical figures, such as General Grant, President Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and Civil War nurse Cordelia Harvey, to provide perspective from those times.
Some events, such as kid’s games, a quilt and local Civil War history display, and Civil War era weapons displays and demonstrations will be ongoing all day Saturday and Sunday. Other events include the “Songs and Stories of the Civil War” as presented by Bob Welch, and a Civil War Era Fashion Show presented by Carolyn Richards, who will tell the story of “Women in the Civil War.”
Also, don’t miss "Professor Chalmers Bodkin-Childs Amazing Patent Medicine and Magic Show”  presented by Faire Wynds Entertainment. Saturday night, plan to dance to the music of the Western Home String Band, and experience the sights and sounds of the cannon night fire exercise.
For more information about this year's event call the Waukon Chamber of Commerce at 563-568-4110 or check Facebook for “Allamakee County Thunder in the Park.”