The American Civil War Society 1st Annual Grand Benefit Fair & World Exposition

American Civil War Society, Inc.

American Civil War Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of our history for future generations.

Information, Directions & Schedule (Coming Soon):
Historic 1st Annual ACWS Grand Benefit Fair & World Exposition
November 9 & 10, 2002

Check back soon as this page continues to be updated
(Updated 7-8-02)

HISTORIC FIRST ANNUAL AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOCIETY
GRAND BENEFIT FAIR AND WORLD EXPOSITION

Site Layout, Military Activities, Who & What Will Be There

The Fair Site.

The ACWS Historic 1st Annual Grand Benefit Fair and World Exposition will be held in the City of La Mirada, CA, at the William Neff Historic Park. This park is the old headquarters for the Andrew McNally Windermere Ranch, established in 1890. It was a center for olive and citrus production in the early 1900's. There are three remaining buildings from those early days. A large white two-story house used by ranch manager, a Queen Anne Victorian used by the foreman, and a large packing barn.

The park grounds themselves are around 10 acres of lush green grass, some of it flat and some gently rolling. The entire park is full of large shade trees from around the world to create a mini-arboretum at the ranch. The park is completely encircled by fencing to block out all modern views, except one side, which is a school, where we will park our vehicles. Neff Park is situated in the middle of an older, well-established, neighborhood, but easily accessible, as it is only about 1 1/2 miles off the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5).

Military Activities At The Fair

We are hoping that most military men will choose a civilian role to portray for the Fair and Exposition; but will still need a good number to set-up both Union and Confederate encampments. These camps will be campaign style and at opposite ends of "our town". NO BATTLES WILL BE FOUGHT at this event, but there will be opportunities for drill, camp scenarios such as pay call, company punishment, mail call, camp brawls, sick call, etc. Soldiers will also be given leave to attend the Fair.

Those who choose to portray soldiers, however, will have some official duties. There will be both Rebel and Yankee recruiting tables to be manned, sentries to be posted guarding their respective camps during public hours, and each Brigade will establish a guard mount covering its' half of "our town" overnight on Saturday. The only other duty will be a Grand Parade each day, accompanied by our Fife and Drum Corps.

As either civilian or military, please come out and have a hand in making this ACWS event, the first of its' kind in the West, a roaring success. If you miss it, you'll be sorry.

Who and What Will Be At The Fair (as of 7-8-02)

Music: Brass Band, Fife & Drum, Occasional Strings, Cottonwood Strings	Food: Devon Riley's Chuckwagon	Fashion Show: "Shopping For A Trosseua"
Temperance Group	English High Tea	Farmer's Marketplace and varmit petting zoo
Town Characters	Pony Rides	Quilting
Battlefield Illustrator	Tulles Wild Rose and Bert the Camel	Acrobats: The Flying Smirnoff Bros.
Middle Eastern Ambassadors of Dance	Spencer & Jackson Theatrical Troupe	Indians, 49'ers and Mountain Men
Church Services	Confederate Parade	Union Parade
The Cock & Pullet Saloon	The Widow Kavich	Mary McAlister
Clara Barton	Museum of Armaments & War Trophies	Dance in the P.M.
Information Booths: American Civil War Society, Sons of Union Veterans, Sons of Confederate Veterans	American Civil War Roundtable: "Civil War Medicine"	40 Exotic Trees
Meet The Generals	Town Crier	Independent Thinkers Oration Box
More To Come	More To Come	More To Come

Directions:

Get to the Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) and go North or South towards La Mirada

Exit on Valley View Avenue. Then go North to Stage Road and turn right.

Turn left on Biola Avenue, left on San Cristobal Drive, then left on San Esteban Drive to Neff Park.

Schedule of Activities (Coming Soon)

Hope to see you there!!

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