For those of you that missed Saturday’s skirmish, it’s not too late to get in on the fun.

Re-enactors filled Riverside Park Saturday afternoon as Union and Confederate forces battled for control of Selma while hundreds of spectators watched the skirmish unfold. The sun shone brightly on battle participants as gunfire and cannon shot crashed across the field.

Don’t worry if you didn’t get a chance to see it. The main battle is today.

The 17th annual re-enactment of the Battle of Selma begins today at 2 p.m. If yesterday’s weather was any indication, conditions for this year’s battle promise to be perfect.

We encourage everyone to come out this year and watch a piece of living history.

The Battle of Selma, which was originally created by the Selma Kiwani’s Club, is a major tourist draw. Other re-enactments across the country may only bring in participants. Selma’s draws re-enactors and their families because of the Battle of Selma Ball at Sturdivant Hall and Selma’s historic district.

The battle fills our hotels, restaurants and stores. It brings those interested in history to Selma’s doorstep. When the battle began in 1986, about 200 re-enactors visited Selma. Now, around 1,200 come each year.

And with the hospitality and history we have to offer, we hope they continue to come back.