Milford's Central Park featuring Civil War event June 25-26

Visitors to Milford’s Central Park will be sent back in time on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 as part of the Huron Valley Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration in remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

“I hope people take from this more of an understanding of the Civil War and how it affected people in our small communities,” said Linda Dagenhardt, a member of the Commemoration Board of Directors. “Michigan was part of the war with all of the people taken away from the state. I think we’ve lost sight of that.”

During both days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the park will come alive with activities including storytellers for children and a baking contest. There will also be demonstrations and displays along with Civil War enlistments and drills.

Festivities will kick off on June 25 at 11 a.m. with an opening ceremony that will include appearances by the 5th Michigan Regimental Band and re-enactors portraying President Abraham Lincoln and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, General George Custer and other Civil War soldiers.

The highlights of the weekend celebration will include an actual wedding on June 25 at 4 p.m. with a local couple wearing clothing from the Civil War era.

An ice cream social will also be held on June 25 at the Mary Jackson House on Canal Street, with tickets costing $5.

A Civil War era ball will also take place on June 25 at 7 p.m. at Milford’s American Legion Hall and will include a performance by The Doworth Saxhorn Band. Tickets for the ball are $15.

Events on June 26 include the Milford Fire Hall Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon, with tickets costing $5.

The Oak Grove, Highland and West Highland cemeteries will also be hosting remembrances from noon to 4 p.m. on both days.

For more information visit huronvalleycivilwar.webs.com or call 248-807-1204.