Reenactors prepare lanterns for the Candlelight Tour at Celebrate Commemorate

Meet key people from the Civil War and hear their stories during the Candlelight Tour at Celebrate Commemorate, a new event this year.

The tour, by members of the Celebrate Commemorate Living History Committee will begin following the Illumination and Remembrance at the American Civil War Memorial on Friday, May 23rd at 8:45pm. It will commence at the check-in point on Oak Island’s Pavilion #1. The cost of the tour is $5.00. Tickets are available in advance at Nugent Hardware, 5 W. Main Street, Waterloo, NY. Tickets also will be available at the Pavilion the night of the tour.

“We hope this unique experience will help people better understand our nation’s bloodiest conflict by hearing stories of the people who lived through it.” said Living History Committee chair Caren Cleaveland.

Participants will walk around Oak Island, visiting six stations for about 10 minutes each. They will hear stories from historical figures of the Civil War era including Bell Boyd, a known Southern Spy who will visit with a friend. Harriet Tubman will share her experiences and stories of the Colored Troops during battles of the war. Our great President Abraham Lincoln will be stationed at the Cavalry’s Camp and will talk of his trials. Teddy Roosevelt and Union soldiers also will tell stories of the conflict.