PERRYVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — This weekend marks 157 years since the Battle of Perryville was fought in the Civil War. Usually, the few days before, re-enactors would be setting up. But for the first time ever, the re-enactment has been cancelled because of dry weather.
The battle was fought on October 8th, 1862. For years, re-enactors have been commemorating the battle at the Historic Site in Perryville. But this year, is different because the re-enactment has been cancelled because of the county wide burn ban. "It's the site of the largest Civil War Battle in Kentucky, it is sacred ground and we're glad that we are able to preserve it. But we want to be safe with all of our guests and our neighbors," Gil Lawson, spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Parks, said.
Lawson said there was a lot to consider when making the decision; the safety of thousands of visitors for the event, the relentless hot, dry weather and the current burn ban. "Typically most of the commemoration weekends we'll have cannons firing. Sometimes guns firing, they put off sparks."
Despite the cancellation, the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site will still be open this weekend. "There will be a ceremony there at noon on Saturday. Commemorating the soldiers who died there. And then there will be some paranormal walks that evening," Lawson said.
And hopefully next year, the re-enactment will go on without a hitch.
