METROPOLIS, IL – The 44th Annual Fort Massac Encampment 2017 was a great success once again at Fort Massac State Park in beautiful Metropolis, IL.

Period reenactors representing American, French, British and Native Americans from the 18th Century came to Fort Massac from all over the US and as far as Canada. They all came with period clothing, tools, weapons and makeshift homes that transformed the park into a wondrous old-time village.

The village provided food, entertainment and hands on history lessons taught by re-enactors. The mock battles were held in the valley that included the French and Indian War and The American Revolution.

Oct 21, 2017 - French Solder fires musket at 43rd Annual Fort Massac Encampment 2017/photonews247.com
Oct 21, 2017 – French Soldier fires musket at 44th Annual Fort Massac Encampment 2017/photonews247.com

You could see fire shooting out of the muskets after the commanding officers yelled, ‘FIRE.’ The cannons were earth shaking and created billows of smoke that hid the soldiers from the enemies crosshairs for a short time, enough time to reload maybe.

All this excitement came to end around 4:30 Sunday afternoon with a Military Retreat Closing Ceremony. It started to rain a bit before and during the Ceremony but everything went as planned.

The only thing the rain seemed to hindered was the canon fire. For example, the canon next to the Rogers Clark statue was limited to one shot instead of its scheduled two.

This particular canon featured on the page was fired by the Rock Ridge Militia Artillery. I wanted to thank Jay and the rest of the members for their hospitality and allowing me to get up close for the shots.

CANNON FIRE MUSIC VIDEO Fort Massac

When the cannon fired, it literally shook the ground. Our bodies were pounded by the percussion of the enormous blast. The combining shock wave in concert with the flash made my knees buckle a bit. It was awesome! Soon after the smell of gunpowder filled the air; it had sweetness to it.

The members of the Rock Ridge Militia Artillery group do not take firing their cannons lightly. Quit the opposite, I have never seen such discipline. They have fixed protocols that are followed in military fashion ensuring everyone’s safety.

They all have individual jobs. One places the pound bag of gun powder in the canon. Another one packs the gun powder. Another soldier lights the fuse and so on.

It takes a team to fire these canons just right and the Rock Ridge Militia Artillery did not disappoint; It was spectacular.

I’m older and did not have this on my bucket list but I should have. If you have a bucket list, you may want to add this to your list of things to do. You won’t be disappointed.

Saturday, Oct. 21
10:00 am: Posting of Colours at Old Fort Area
10:30 am: 42nd Royal Highlanders Bagpipe Band at main event arena
10:30 am – 4 pm: Storytellers, Puppet Show & Magic Show, at children’s area by museum
11:00 am – 3 pm: Music of 18th Century by various entertainers
11:30 am: Voyageurs canoe landing at riverfront
12:30 p.m.: Children’s activities at main event area
1:00 pm: Fashion Show at small stage
3:00 pm: Mock Battle and Military Tactical Demonstration,
5:00 pm: Military Retreat Closing Ceremony at Forts

Sunday, Oct. 22
9:00 am: Church Service
10:00 am: Posting of Colours at forts
10:30 am: 42nd Royal Highlanders Bagpipe Band at parade grounds
10:30 am – 4 pm: Storytellers, Face Painting and Magic Show at children’s area by museum
11:00 am – 3 pm: Music of 18th Century performed by various entertainers
11:30 am: Voyageurs canoe landing at riverfront
12:30 p.m.: Children’s activities at main event area
1:00 pm: Fashion Show, at small stage
3:00 pm: Mock Battle and Military Tactical Demonstration, at battlefield
4:30 pm: Military Retreat Closing Ceremony at old fort area
Parking and shuttle service will be offered in the open field area next to the park’s Trout Pond on 5th Street across from Sonic.

Fort Massac State Park
1308 E. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL
Phone: 618-524-4712
Site: stateparks.com/fort_massac_state_park_in_illinois.html
Social: facebook.com/Friends-of-Fort-Massac

Photos from the 44th Annual Fort Massac Encampment 2017. These photos are for everyone to share and to enjoy without any worries.

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3 Comments

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  1. Wonderful depictions. . .wish I would have gone. . .Thomas Hughes, my relative was active around Fort Massac during the time he fought with General George Rogers Clark and he was killed near the Fort in 1782 or so.

    Peggy Fitzpatrick

  2. As a senior 1s’t. time visitor from Ind. on sat. morning, I was very impressed. I really enjoyed conversing with all the participants (they were wonderful). By afternoon the crowd was too overwhelming for me & the temp. a bit warm for my over-dressed comfort. I missed the 3 pm battle due to confusion of location & the massive crowd (a big disappointment to me). No event map was available at the gates. I would like for the exhibitors to have been a bit more spread out (too crammed together). The food area should be farther away (if possible) & no dogs should be allowed (especially in the food court). Overall the event has great potential but the organization is pitiful & unprepared for the massive crowd as was on sat. afternoon. I suppose the exceptional warm weather contributed to the massive crowd. More scattered bales of straw to provide seating would help tremendously!

  3. Visiting the Maccac Park Encampment was a thrill to see. The whole park was like stepping into the past. The camps were strict and kept everything modern from the visitors eyes to make it authentic.