The Civil War is coming to Cheney — or at least a pretty fair approximation of the four-year conflict that ended 154 years ago.
Called “The Battle of Cheney/Minnie Creek (depending upon which side wins), the Washington Civil War Association in partnership with the city of Cheney is presenting a re-enactment of the 1861-1865 conflict this weekend. The reenactment takes place Saturday — Monday at a forested field nestled along Anderson Road between the city’s Utility Building and the water reclamation plant as well as downtown Cheney.
Reenactment coordinator Mike Inman said the schedule of events, available on the association’s website, is “broad” and somewhat fluid, with the exception of a dance in downtown Cheney Saturday night, a “Lantern Tour” at the battlefield Sunday evening and the two daily engagements.
“Those are pretty much locked in,” Inman said.
Inman said between 200-300 reenactors representing the fictitious Army of the Columbia (Union) and Adams’ Legion (Confederate) are confirmed to begin arriving in Cheney Friday for the Memorial Day weekend gathering. There will also be civilian “refugees” accompanying the armies, with tents denoting buildings such as a saloon and general store of the fictitious town of “Cheney Springs” to be set up near the battlefield.
According to the nonprofit association’s mission statement, the objective “is to interpret and present the daily life of Confederate and Federal soldiers, and their families through living history, reenactments, first person characterizations and education.”
Reenactors do everything at reenactments in period-style, from what they wear to the gear they use to camp at the site to how they conduct the reenactments, which includes tactics used during the war. “Living history representatives” include Union and Confederate infantry, artillery (full-size cannons) cavalry, medical units, musicians and civilian refugees.
Gates open between 8:30 – 9 a.m. daily, with battles at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In between, spectators can wander through Cheney Springs and both army camps, along with a hospital area set up south of Anderson Road. Free parking is available at a meadow alongside the Union Pacific railroad tracks, with flatbed trucks available to transport people to the reenactment site for those not wishing to walk.
“As needed, we’ll use the backside of the Utility Building and alongside Anderson Road for any overflow,” Inman said.
Saturday night, the reenactment spills into downtown Cheney for a dance on F Street between 1st and 2nd streets, with reenactors appearing in period attire. The public is invited to attend, with period attire optional.
Sunday events include church services at both camps at 9 a.m. In the evening, a “Lantern Tour” will begin with a post-dusk display of artillery and musket fire, followed by a “peek at the somber nighttime camps of the armies.” Gates open for this at 8 p.m.
Admission for all of this is just $5 for adults (ages 6 and over) for the whole weekend, with children 5 and under free. Active military may bring one guest free of charge, and tickets for the Lantern Tour are also $5.
The reenactment concludes on Monday at noon after a battle at 10:30 a.m. A Memorial Day service follows the battle on the battlefield.
Tickets are available in advance at Marketplace Bakery & Eatery and Basin Feed and Supply. Tickets are also available at the reenactment gate.
Water and toilets will be onsite, with limited battlefield seating available. Inman said there will be food and snack vendors onsite as well, but the public is free to bring their own food and beverages — with alcohol prohibited.
More information is available at spokanecivilwar.com.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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