Shadows of the
Blue and Gray

City County Park ● Princeton, Illinois

October
10-11, 2026

School Day
October 9th
(By Appointment)

Visit beautiful City–County Park in Princeton, IL, as Shadows of the Blue and Gray proudly presents our 30th year of family-friendly Civil War Living History.

This event is open to the public for a nominal fee of $5 per person. Children 3 years old and under are admitted free.

Stroll through the camps and talk with our knowledgeable reenactors about daily camp life during the Civil War. All reenactors are eager to share their experiences and answer questions. Children can also participate in a scavenger hunt and earn a prize upon completion.

A narrated mock battle will be presented both Saturday and Sunday, featuring Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery demonstrations. Throughout the day, visitors may also encounter pop-up skirmishes across the grounds.

We are pleased to once again offer a free School Day on Friday. All local private, public, and homeschool groups are encouraged to attend. Please use the phone number listed in the Contacts tab to schedule your group’s visit.

Plan to arrive early and stay for the day. Food options will be available on site, or you are welcome to bring your own and relax in our dining area.

Be sure to visit our Civilian Reenactors as they bring 1860s life to the present and share what daily life was like during the Civil War era.

Registration

Each Artillery piece that is PRE-REGISTERED and TAKES THE FIELD will receive powder and bounty.

The first 10 horses on each side that is PRE-REGISTERED and TAKES THE FIELD will also receive a bounty.

Saturday night we are offering a free dinner to all our reenactor friends that register.

As always straw/hay, firewood and water will be available.

We humbly ask that you clean up your camp site before you leave.