Friday, Aug 18, 2006
Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will once again celebrate peace as they gather on San Juan Island for the ninth annual Encampment scheduled August 26-27 on the English Camp parade ground.
The event is free. A golf cart is available to transport disabled persons from the parking to the parade ground and back. Call the park at 378-2902 or 378-2240 for more special access information.
Encampment 2006 commemorates the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island by British and American forces from 1859 to 1872, and final, peaceful settlement of the Northwest Boundary dispute. Throughout the joint occupation the garrisons exchanged visits to celebrate holidays that included Christmas, the Fourth of July and Queen Victoria’s birthday. Typically the men would participate in athletic contests, imbibe in spirits and other refreshments and usually host a dance to which the community was invited.
The Encampment tradition was renewed in 1998 on the occasion of the dedication of English Camp’s 80-foot flagpole, a gift to San Juan Island National Historical Park by the people of the United Kingdom.
More than 110 partner re-enactors from Fort Langley, Fort Rodd Hill, New Westminster, and Esquimalt, BC; and Fort Nisqually, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Vancouver. WA will join with San Juan Islanders in staging the two-day exhibition.
Activities include recreations of mid-19th century Royal Marine Light Infantry and U.S. Army camp life, demonstrations of music, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, sewing and cooperage and carpentry, along with the pageantry of period uniforms in scarlet and blue.
Highlight of the weekend is the Candlelight Ball, scheduled at 8 p.m., in the English Camp barracks. The public is invited to join in the dancing and refreshments that will include the traditional cake and punch. Music will be provided by the folk group Sugar on the Floor. The weekend kicks off with a performance of The Life and Times of General George Pickett at 8 p.m. Friday at the San Juan Community Theatre. Call the theatre box office at (360) 378-3210 for tickets.
For more information on Encampment 2006 and to view photos from last year’s event visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/sajh
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