Re-enactors portray 1600s through Civil War with living history demonstrations, history hikes
information provided by the Forest Preserves of Cook County
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (November 21, 2019) – Through stories told by living history demonstrations, encampments, performances, and other interactive activities, visitors to Sand Ridge Nature Center can experience the history of our country during the 47th Annual Settlers’ Day on Sunday, November 24.
Costumed re-enactors will represent and interpret Native Americans and French Voyageurs, the Revolutionary War, and pioneer and settler times through the periods of the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. Activities and interpretation during the event also include pioneer-era cooking demonstrations, mock interactive wagon train trips from Ohio to Illinois in 1821, history hikes, period crafts, and more.
Settlers’ Day is Sand Ridge Nature Center’s largest annual festival and one of the largest annual events put on by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The event will take place from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and will kick off with a formal flag-raising ceremony and period-specific Honor Guard.
Settlers’ Day is free to the public, though non-perishable food and cash donations will be accepted on site to benefit local food pantries.
Sand Ridge Nature Center, located at 15891 Paxton Avenue in South Holland, is one of six nature centers operated by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and offers a variety of educational events and festivals throughout the year. Overflow parking for this event will be at Camp Shabbona Woods (adjacent to Sand Ridge Nature Center with connecting trail), 15810 S. Torrence Avenue, Calumet City, IL 60409.
For more information on the 47th Annual Settlers’ Day, call the Nature Center directly at 708-868-0606. A complete listing of all programs is posted to the Forest Preserves’ events website at fpdcc.com with seasonal guides that can be downloaded.
