Cannon Fire, Lookalikes Mark 150th Civil War Anniversary

Fairfax City isn't alone in celebrating its 150th birthday this year. History buffs and families dropped by Blenheim Saturday to mark the Civil War's Sesquicentennial with cannon fire and song.

The city's Sesquicentennial Committee planned this and other scheduled Civil War events with help from the Fairfax County Sesquicentennial Committee, Historic Fairfax City, Inc., and the 17th Virginia Infantry Fairfax Rifles.

Other related events in the area:

• June 1: A historical presentation about the Skirmish at Fairfax preceded by wreath layings and dedication of a new Civil War Trails marker for the historic Fairfax County courthouse.
• June 4: A reenactment of the Skirmish. Reenactors will portray infantry and cavalry from both sides, at the exact location on downtown streets where events occurred 150 years ago.
• July 21: National Park Service will commemorate the First Manassas/Bull Run battle at the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

These reenactments welcome a crowd. A Confederate victory, Dr. Elizabeth Crowell, co-chair of the county's Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, said many people came to watch the Bull Run battle, arriving in their horse-drawn carriages from Washington, D.C. 

Click the thumbnail to watch the video.