Historic battle reenactors gather at Muskingum Park for the Civil War Round Table of the Mid-Ohio Valley’s first annual History in the Park July 2024. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA – History in the Park will return for its third year at East Muskingum Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11.

Hosted by the Civil War Round Table of the Mid-Ohio Valley, the event is entirely free for the public to attend. Guests can expect vendors and historic exhibits from across multiple states.

Civil War Round Table President Nancy Arthur said the event continues to grow in attendance every year.

“We have over two dozen exhibits,” she said.

Arthur said there will be exhibits coming from Charleston, Steubenville, Columbus, Cleveland, “and everywhere in-between.”

There will be reenactors like President Abraham Lincoln, General William Sherman, and President Andrew Garfield. There will be tours of the First Congregational United Church of Christ available and students from Veritas Classical Academy will play classical music throughout the morning.

Guests can expect members from the Belpre Historical Society, Campus Martius Museum, Henderson Hall, and more.

Arthur said members of the America 250 commission for Ohio will be in attendance as part of the celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary this year.

“The first year I would say there were probably 200-300 people that walked through the park,” she said. “We have even more (exhibits) and I’m really expecting a good turnout this year.”

Arthur said the event is both free to the public and free for vendors and exhibits to attend.

Wilky’s will be present to provide food and beverages and Jeremiah’s Coffee House will be at the park with coffee and beverage options as well.

“Everytime someone calls and says they’re coming, I’m happy to hear that because the more there are, the better it gets,” said Arthur.

In the event of rain or storms, Arthur said there isn’t a rain date because of how many people are involved in the event. She said it would be too difficult to call everyone who’s attending to reschedule.

“Just pray for good weather,” she said. “I tell people they can bring a pop-up tent … plus there’s a lot of trees over there so we just get under the trees and find a shaded spot.”

Arthur has been on the round table for nearly 13 years and said History in the Park has been one of the largest events they host.

She said they’ve been recovering from Covid and have worked to build back up their audiences over the years.

“It takes time for people to know that we’re still doing all of this,” she said.

For more information about History in the Park and other events put on by Civil War Round Table, visit www.cwrtmov.org/

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com