Community readies for Thunder in the Park

by Lissa Blake

The blood, the sweat, the smell of gun powder.
Picture men and women with rifles and cannons battling for the future of our great nation.
Come and experience all the excitement, entertainment and education about the Civil War era, June 7-9 during Thunder in the Park in Waukon.
The event is sponsored by many Waukon and Allamakee County businesses and nonprofit organizations.

U.S. Grant presents
Festivities begin Friday, June 7 at 6 p.m. with the acclaimed one-man play, “Unconditional Surrender, An Evening with President Grant,” performed by Waukon native Pete Grady. This play will take place at the Main Feature Theatre (38 West Main Street, Waukon). Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased from the Main Feature or the Visitor Center (101 West Main Street, Waukon). Food and beverages will also be available prior to and during the performance. Grady’s performance is being sponsored by Martin Funeral Home of Waukon.

Monument rededication
Following Grady’ performance, there will be a monument rededication ceremony at the Allamakee County Courthouse.
All are invited to attend this 30-minute service to honor Allamakee County’s civil war soldiers that perished during this difficult time in American history. The ceremony will include luminaries for each solider, Taps, reading of the solider names and a wreath laying. The ceremony will be held in front of the Allamakee County Courthouse (101 Allamakee Street, Waukon), a short walk from the Main Feature Theatre. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the ceremony.

Weekend events
All Saturday and Sunday events will take place at the Waukon City Park. Admission is free, but free-will donations will be accepted.
Events run Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Start with the Faire Wynds Traveling Medicine and Circus show, spectator drills or Civil War weapon demonstrations  (just to name a few). There also will be an opportunity for the public to dress up in their finest period clothing and be featured in a fashion show.
This event will also highlight civil war era children’s games, two battle reenactments, a dance with a grand march with the Western Home String Band, and Civil War camps – where the reenactors actually live just like their predecessors did.
“Can you imagine waiting six hours for your chicken and hardtack dinner to be ready?” asked Al Lyon, event co-organizer and reenactor.  
“The reenactors will be happy to answer any questions you may have about their uniforms, weapons, camp equipment and more.”
Two more highlighted performers include Bob Welch, a singer/songwriter who performs Civil War Era music and is also a legendary storyteller. Not to be outdone is Lance Mack, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator who will be presenting some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches as well as a great photo opportunity with the kids.

Special edition
A full schedule of events will be available in a special section of The Standard to be included in the May 29 edition. Programs also will be available at the City Park and online at the “Allamakee County Thunder in the Park” Facebook page and also at the Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism website: allamakeecounty.com.
For more information, visit allamakeecounty.com or call the Waukon Visitor Center at 563-568-4110.