The Selma Times-Journal

The Battle of Selma will be fought again this year, and organizers say it will be one of the biggest battles ever.

The 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Selma Civil War Re-enactment will be held April 12 through April 14, providing four days of living history that the whole family will enjoy.

“This should be one of the biggest battles they’ve had,” said Chuck Yeargan, chairman of the event. “There will be more horses and more cannons.”

Tri-County has furnished equipment to help with renovations and modifications to the 1860s-style fortifications and buildings.

Volunteers have been working on Saturdays to get the battlefield ready for this year’s event.

“A lot of people from Selma have come out to help,” Yeargan said.

Among the other improvements are camp sites, roadways, pyrotechnics, the night-time artillery demonstration and period music. There will also be merchant’s tents, jewelry, children’s toys and more.

Gates open on Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Living history school tours are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Advanced scheduling is required. Call 875-1960.

Ticket cost on Thursday and Friday is $5 each day.

On Friday, at 7 p.m., the artillery will be unleashed. At 8 p.m., join in the fun at the re-enactor’s camp dance. Both events are free to the public.

On Saturday, April 14, gates open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Events include tours of Confederate, Union and Civilian camps, a troops drill, and the Skirmish, reliving the events of April 1, 1865.

On Saturday night at 7 p.m., the Battle of Selma Grand Military Ball will be held at Sturdivant Hall. Tickets for the ball are $15.

For ticket information, contact the Sturdivant Hall Museum at 872-5626 Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Sunday, April 15, gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events include a 9 a.m. period worship service. At 10:30 a.m., a Civil War memorial service will be held at Old Live Oak Cemetery.

At 2 p.m., the Battle of Selma Re-enactment begins.

The battle is sponsored by the Battle of Selma Authority, hosted by the 33rd Alabama Infantry Regiment.