By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Everybody likes a good friend. For the Fort Larned National Historic Site, those friends are known as the Old Guard. The group supports Fort Larned primarily through fundraising to promote history and interpretation at the park, including the recent purchase of a pistol used by a soldier while stationed at the fort. But the Old Guard also knows how to party. The group will host its annual Mess & Muster meeting on Saturday, April 22.
"We're going to have several re-enactment groups," said Park Ranger Celeste Dixon. "We'll have drills, demonstrations, and special talks throughout the day. In the evening, there is a dinner that requires a reservation."
Programming throughout the day is free and begins at 9 a.m. The day will include several reenactments, special programs, and a military retreat ceremony. The dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. includes smoked brisket, potato salad, beans, rolls, cobbler, and tea. A free Victorian ball and celebration featuring the Kansas Brigade Band closes out the evening.
"You don't have to wear period clothes," Dixon said. "The soldiers and some of the volunteers who are attending will be in period clothes, but anybody is welcome to come. You don't have to dress up for that."
All events except the dinner are free to the public. Registration for the dinner is $25 per person, with registration due by April 14. Volunteers wanting to help with the reenactments or a host of other activities are always welcome and can sign up by calling the site at (620) 285-6911, or emailing [email protected].