Reenactment captures Civil War down to smell of the gunpowder

Courtesy photo

During the 2007 Civil War Days in the Battle Born State, a Civil War reenactment, Don Ancell from California, portraying President Abraham Lincoln, surveys the Union troops at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

By Erin Dostal (contact)

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

What: Civil War Days
Where: Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, 6375 State Highway 159
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Park entry, $5 per car. Event entry, $5 adults, $3 children 6-17; free for 5 and younger

This weekend, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park will be a battlefield full of hundreds of warriors from Utah, Arizona, California and Nevada.

And, no, they won’t be fighting about health care.

The Southern Nevada Living History Association will be hosting its fourth-annual Civil War Days in the Battle Born State and Southwest Invitational Reenactment.

More than 200 “soldiers” from the Southwest will reenact Civil War battles and events.

“It’s always buzzing with activity,” said Lisa Coffey, a spokeswoman for the association.

Her husband, association President Jason Coffey, said the reenactment provides a glimpse into the past, from the smell of the gunpowder to the historically accurate uniforms.

“We show people what it would be like to be there,” he said. “We set up our camps the same way. We’re wearing uniforms made out of the same material” as those worn by the soldiers of the period.

Although the event features reenactments of generic Civil War battles, gore is kept to a minimum, Lisa Coffey said. Everything is “G” or “PG” rated, she said.

The weekend’s events will include a period baseball game, artillery and cavalry demonstrations, and two battles each day. On Saturday, the association will host a ladies tea, a period fashion show and a masquerade ball.

Battle times on Saturday are 11 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. On Sunday, battles will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The event is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.