French, Indian encampment comes to town

By John Bojarski Eagle Staff Writer

July 16, 2014 Last Updated: July 16, 2014 10:15 AM Local News

Re-enactment this weekend

MUDDY CREEK TWP — The Portersville Steam Show grounds are about to be taken over.

The F and I Grand Encampment will be coming to the grounds off Route 19 this weekend. The encampment features people re-enacting the French and Indian War and events leading to it.

“The French and Indian War is something that usually gets a paragraph or two in a textbook,” said Daniel Nehrer of Harmony, military coordinator. “But it really sets the stage for the American Revolution.”

The event will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and feature several battle and military engagement re-enactments, focusing on Western Pennsylvania from 1753 to 1754.

The main event on Friday will be a small skirmish of French and natives against English settlers.

Saturday afternoon, there will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Great Meadows taking place at a replica of Fort Necessity. The original battle took place in Fayette County.

On Sunday, the main event will be a tactical demonstration on the differences between European and North American military fighting.

In addition to the battles, the event will offer a “merchant's row,” featuring historians, blacksmithing, pottery and woodwork.

“There will be plenty of ongoing demonstrations,” Nehrer said.

He said between 250 and 300 re-enactors will participate, with some coming from Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, New England, Ontario and Quebec.

“It's 24/7. Everyone stays in the 18th century,” Nehrer said.

Re-enactors will wear period dress and not use modern technology. Additionally, the French and English will be separated.

Behind the main show grounds, the encampment will be in two cleared areas, each 20 acres, with a wooded area in the middle separating the French and the English.

“It takes up some real estate,” Nehrer said.

Nehrer and Mark Wiley of Portersville even built a smaller recreation of Fort Necessity. Nehrer said it took a couple of days.

“We were amazed ourselves by how quickly we could build that fort,” he said.

It has been about four years since the last encampment.

This year, Nehrer, Wylie and Jennifer Black of Portersville worked to organize it.

This is the first time the encampment will be in the area. Past encampments have been in New York and Michigan.

Nehrer said he is not sure what the public turnout will be but hopes for more than 1,000 visitors. Admission is $10 per car load.

For more information and a full schedule, visit www.grandencampment.org.