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Ruth Richardson

Historical reenactment to take the streets in eastern Skagit County


The town of Marblemount will travel back in time as a Civil War reenactment takes to the streets this weekend.

Members of the Washington Civil War Association will partake in a weekend-long demonstration of military drills, battles and daily life of the Civil War era.

The association is a nonprofit that honors the nation’s ancestors who fought or lived during the war by sponsoring battle reenactments, living history encampments and school programs throughout the state.

The reenactments are a lot of fun, especially for people who like American history, said Frank L. “Rusty” Starr III, a long-time member of the American Civil War Association. Starr has participated in reenactments since 1972.

“It takes you back in time,” he said. “It’s a moment when you feel like you’re really there.”

The weekend event is something Marblemount can call its own as other cities like Mount Vernon have the Highland Days and Tulip Festival, said Marshall Cooper, North Cascades Business Association chairman.

The free event will take place Saturday and Sunday. Reenactment battles will be held on State Route 20 at 1 p.m. both days. When not in battle, troops will be drilling on the baseball field adjacent to the North Cascades Business Association building from about 10 a.m. to noon.

In addition, an encampment will be open to the public both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. where guests can experience life during the American Civil War. In the encampments, participants take on the roles of their characters as it adds flavor to the experience, Starr said.

“It’s theater,” he said. “We try to present it as historically correct as possible.”

Members of the Washington Civil War Association have held reenactments in Marblemount for several years, Cooper said. But the event has grown each year since it started, he said.

It’s a fun event with all of the guns, smoke and everyone dressed up in uniform, he said.