Soldiers Invade

Approximately 70 costumed reenactors from across Michigan will occupy Fort Mackinac the weekend of September 10 and 11 and will join forces with the Fort Mackinac staff to present military interactive programs.

The soldiers of the 16th Michigan Infantry and 102nd U.S. Colored Infantry will demonstrate marching drills, stage military skits, and present 1860s period clothing.

“With upward of 70 soldiers performing their military duties, Fort Mackinac really comes alive,” said Dennis Havlena, lead interpreter for Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Members of the Colored Infantry includes descendants of soldiers who served in the original unit, composed of more than 1,600 African-American soldiers from Michigan and Canada.

Both infantries will post guards, drill, and perform firing demonstrations for fort visitors. The civilians will picnic, and stroll the grounds, presenting first-person accounts of civilians who may have visited the Island during the Civil War.

The Saturday and Sunday events run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are included with Fort Mackinac admission of $9.50 adults, $6 youth ages 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and under.

Fort Mackinac is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until October 9.