Civil War Heritage Days to Re-create Key West’s Past Feb. 6-8

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — History fans can experience a battle between land and sea forces, the staged court trial of a blockade runner and living history encampments of Civil War re-enactors Friday through Sunday, Feb. 6-8, at Key West’s Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

The festival re-creates the Civil War era when Key West was the only Deep South port to remain in Union hands. Fort Taylor, located on the island’s Atlantic Ocean shore, played a major role in the Union blockade of Confederate shipping. Presented by the staff and volunteers of Fort Zachary Taylor, the festival is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Events take place in the fort, the surrounding state park and the waters bordering the park.During the family-friendly festival, scores of re-enactors in period costume are to depict Union and Confederate military personnel, merchants, craftsmen, musicians and civilians of the era. Both Union and Confederate camps will be established on the grounds of the fort and park.

Planned highlights are to include a parade down Key West’s Duval Street to the historic fort, a battle between land forces and schooners portraying blockade runners at sea and the staged trial of a blockade runner based on an 1862 court case.

Festival visitors can learn what soldiers’ lives were like at the fort in the 1860s, experience living history and artillery demonstrations, watch land skirmishes and tour the campsites.

The fort and park can be accessed from an entrance on Southard Street past Thomas Street. Daily entrance fees, which include a pass allowing visitors to leave and return, are $2.50 per person on foot or bicycle, $4.50 for a single-occupant motorized vehicle and $7 for a vehicle carrying two people with a 50-cent charge for each additional passenger. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Friday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Event information: www.floridastateparks.org/forttaylor/, 305-292-6713 or 305-292-6850