FILE PHOTO: People visit the field of field Pickett's Charge, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, in Gettysburg.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Civil War reenactment organization says no event in Gettysburg next year
It says reenactment as a hobby is declining due to the age demographic of the participants.
-
Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
FILE PHOTO: People visit the field of field Pickett's Charge, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, in Gettysburg.
(Gettysburg) — The organization that’s been putting on Gettysburg’s largest annual Civil War reenactment for 25 years says it won’t host the event next summer.
The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee said the events have drawn over 100,000 reenactors and 500,000 visitors to the area.
But organizers say reenactment as a hobby is declining due to the age demographic of the participants.
Norris Flowers, president of the tourism agency Destination Gettysburg, said visitors still have a lot of options to experience Gettysburg National Military Park.
“You can discover the battlefield on a segway or on horseback or what we call a GettyPed, which is a little three-wheeled car, so there are still a lot of things to do,” he said.
The National Park Service offers year-round programming, including reenactments of the Civil War battle and World War II at the nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Flowers says many visitors to Gettysburg are also looking for activities outside the park, like exploring the growing food scene, apple-picking, and wine and spirit tours.
The Purple Buck Newsletter
Get insights into WITF’s newsroom and an invitation to join in the pursuit of trustworthy journalism.
