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For Immediate Release
March to a Military Beat "Drums Along the Maumee" at Fort Meigs
(COLUMBUS, OH July 10, 2008) – The sound of fife and drum music fills the air as Fort Meigs hosts “Drums Along the Maumee” Saturday and Sunday, July 26 - 27. See and hear fife and drum corps from across the Midwest play military music from the 1750s through the American Civil War.
Performances feature The 1st Michigan Fife and Drum Corps, The Voyageur Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, The Belletre Fifre et Tambour, US Field Musik 1812, and Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps.
Music was important to the military for communication, structure, and entertainment. The musicians perform with authentic wooden fifes and rope tension drums. They play tunes from the actual military field music manuals of the time period.
The units will march and perform starting around 10:00 AM each day. All five corps will perform as a massed band at 4:00 PM each afternoon. In addition, re-enactors portraying soldiers and camp followers of the War of 1812 will provide demonstrations of weapons, camp life, and provide hands-on activities for kids. A tent will be provided to house the corps and visitors in the event of rain.
Returning this year is dancing from the Early American period. The public is encouraged to participate. No experience, costuming or partner is required. Our experienced callers will guide you through the dances. Just bring your interest and enthusiasm.
Fort Meigs is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. both days of the event. Admission to the event is adults-$8, students-$4, OHS Members- $1 and children five and under are free.
Fort Meigs, one of 58 sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society, is one mile west of downtown Perrysburg on State Route 65. Call 800-283-8916 or visit on-line at www.fortmeigs.org or www.ohiohistory.org for more information.
Media contact: Rick Finch: 419-874-4121 or rfinch@ohiohistory.org
Media contact: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
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