Fort siege reenactment part of full weekend

Published 9:00 am Friday, September 22, 2017

There will be no shortage of things to do this weekend in Winchester.

Between 60 and 80 re-enactors are expected this weekend for two days of events at the fort at Fort Boonesborough State Park.

Park Manager Rob Minerich said the actual siege lasted nine days in September 1778.

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About 400 Shawnee tribe along with some British and French soldiers lay siege to the fort for nine days, beginning Sept. 7, 1778, he said.

“There were only 40 or fewer at the fort,” he said. “The Shawnee tried to burn the fort at one point and the rain put it out.”

After nine days, the Native Americans ended the siege and walked away.

This weekend, there will be two reenactments at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday near the fort. There will also be a night battle at dusk Saturday.

The park is offering a shuttle from the main park (and overflow parking) to the fort for the battles.

“We encourage people to come early,” he said. “Once the reenactment starts, we can’t get you back to where it is.”

The reenactments usually last around 30 minutes. Elsewhere in the fort will be demonstrations, merchants and reenactors portraying settlers, and children’s activities.

Admission to the fort is $8 for adults and $5 for children, which includes the reenactments.

Tonight is the annual Boots and BBQ fundraiser for Rose Mary C. Brooks Place. Tickets are $60 per person, which includes music, food, dancing and beer. The Classics will also perform.

In downtown, there will be a Rally4Recovery remembrance walk, which includes a worship service and several speakers who will share their stories of recovery from addiction. The Cairn will also offer a spaghetti supper beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday morning, there will be a Run4Recovery road race beginning at 8:45 a.m., with registration opening at 7:30. Awards will be presented at 10 a.m. and there will be activities for children.

Sunday afternoon, there will be a self-guided tour of lofts and other spaces in downtown Winchester. A total of 25 buildings will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. throughout downtown. Main Street Winchester Director Rachel Alexander said the spaces will range from finished living spaces to those that are used for storage now. While some spaces are on upper floors, there will be some on the ground level, she said.

Maps will be available at Leeds Center for the Arts on Main Street.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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