MANSFIELD — A quiet May weekend will come alive with cannon fire at the 43rd Annual Ohio Civil War And WWI & II Show at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
The show is scheduled Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2, with show times from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second.
Admission is $7. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is included in the cost of admission.
The show is following Ohio regulations for social distancing and wearing facemasks. Facemasks will be required for everyone in attendance. Visitors will be required to wear a facemask inside each building and while outside if a 6-foot social distance cannot be met.
Hand sanitation stations will be available throughout the show buildings.
There are 380 exhibitors from 38 states scheduled to participate in the show, including 700 tables of military memorabilia from 1775 through 1945 for buy, sell, trade and display.
In addition, related items such as books, images, photographs, paper goods, Civil War prints and women’s apparel will be available to the public and collectors.
In conjunction with the show, the 28th annual artillery show will feature full size cannons, limbers, caisson and mortars.
This is the only artillery show of this kind in the country where visitors can view field guns, equipment and displays that relate to America’s wars from 1775 through 1945.
As an added feature, there will be live cannon firings demonstrations on Saturday at 11:30 am and 2 pm and on Sunday at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.
Enjoy a rare demonstration from the 36th U.S. Infantry Division and 100th Jäger German Unit on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
This year’s show will feature a 1776 Revolutionary War Living History Encampment, including drills, musket firing, colonial period camp cooking, and also showing and explaining various period military attire and other demonstrations.
Another feature of the show will be a Civil War Field Hospital Scenario with simulated limb amputations and medical practices of the Civil War. Along with this, there will several Living History Civil War Encampments depicting military life.
Other outdoor features include period music by harp/dulcimer, banjo/violins. A Sutler’s Row will have available reproduction items and apparel for both the military and civilian re-enactors.
The Marlboro Volunteer Traveling Museum will offer a spectacular display of our history from Revolutionary War up to current times including military vehicles.
There will be an outdoor church service for re-enactors, exhibitors and public on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the flagpole.
President Abe Lincoln will attend the show on both Saturday and Sunday, featuring his Gettysburg Address.
A most-requested feature for this year will be music performances by the Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps.
Visit the show website for more information at www.ohiocivilwarshow.com
