Fort Calhoun, Neb. – This Labor Day weekend, plan to visit Fort Atkinson State Historical Park and enjoy a living history presentation scheduled for September 3-4.

Fort Atkinson, a reconstructed fort of the fur-trade era, is brought to life each summer by a dedicated cadre of more than 30 volunteers portraying soldiers and civilians who shared experiences on the westernmost outpost of the United States.

During the holiday weekend, the Lewis and Clark Drum and Fife Corp from St. Charles, Mo., will entertain visitors with performances at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day.

A visit to the fort should begin at the visitors center, where archaeological finds and other items from the early 19th century prepare visitors for a walk in the historical park and into the past. Interpretations by soldiers and crafts people, along with displays and reconstructed buildings, present visitors with a quality experience that can be found in only a handful of locations around the country.

On this weekend, a two-day adventure will unfold at the fort. The scenario is that the military is informed that the paymaster has arrived on a boat, and everyone will be paid. A second drama begins at Saturdays 1 p.m. roll call, when troops discover one soldier has deserted. Artillery will be fired to alert everybody of the circumstances. The action will conclude at about 3 p.m. on Sunday when the deserter is brought into the post. These two adventures, recreated by volunteer re-enactors, were common occurrences at the original fort.

Each days activities begin at 11 a.m. and conclude with retreat of the flag at 5 p.m. There is no entrance fee, but each vehicle is required to have a state park entry permit. Daily permits are sold at the visitors center for $3. For more information, e-mail the park at ftatkin@ngpc.state.ne.us or call 402 468-5611.

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