[StBernard] Battle of New Orleans Troops, Civilians Return To Chalmette Battlefield January 7-8 for anniversary events

[Westley Annis]

Battle of New Orleans Troops, Civilians Return To Chalmette Battlefield In
January

 

Chalmette Battlefield, one of six sites of Jean Lafiitte National Historical
Park and Preserve, will welcome over 100 living history experts in period
dress for the 196th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. The
battlefield, site of the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, is
located at 8606 West St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. All events listed are
free and open to the public. More information is available at 504-589-2636
ext. 1; maps and complete event schedules are available at www.nps.gov/jela.
Visitors may bring picnic lunches; no food is available at the battlefield
but bottled water will be on sale.

 

Friday, January 7

*	196th anniversary commemoration at the battlefield, 9:00 a.m.-3:30
p.m. Living history experts dressed as civilians and soldiers from 1815 will
share their stories, fire cannons and muskets, and explain the importance of
the battle in American history. Visitors can also explore the new
battlefield visitor center. Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Government
Complex (see below); free shuttles begin running at 8:45 a.m.

.        Reenactment at de La Ronde Oaks, 7:00 p.m. St. Bernard Parish
sponsors a re-creation of the December 23, 1814, night skirmish at historic
de la Ronde Oaks in Chalmette, just downriver from Chalmette Battlefield.
Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex (see below); free
shuttles begin running at 6:30 p.m.

 

Saturday, January 8

*	196th anniversary commemoration at the battlefield, 9:00 a.m.-3:30
p.m. Living history experts dressed as civilians and soldiers from 1815 will
share their stories, fire cannons and muskets, and explain the importance of
the battle in American history. Visitors can also explore the new
battlefield visitor center (on Saturday visitor center will open after
wreath-laying ceremony). Parking is at the St. Bernard Parish Government
Complex (see below); free shuttles begin running at 8:30 a.m.
*	Grand opening of new visitor center, 9:15 a.m. Ribbon-cutting and
grand opening ceremony.
*	Wreath-laying ceremony at Chalmette Monument, 10:00 a.m. Pay tribute
to the men who fought at the Battle of New Orleans.
*	Kids Camp, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Kid-sized uniforms to try on, games,
crafts, and more!

 

Parking for all events: only school buses on registered field trips,
official battlefield shuttles, and vehicles with handicapped tags will be
allowed on the battlefield grounds. School buses will be allowed to unload
and load only. All other parking for all events is at the St. Bernard Parish
Government Complex, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette. Restrooms and a
Hospitality and Welcome Center sponsored by the St. Bernard Tourist
Commission will be available at the complex. The center will offer
complimentary coffee, lemonade, and cookies; bottled water will be on sale.
The center will also provide art and historical exhibits and tourist
information.

  

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