Commemoration of the Burning of downtown Marietta

burningCommemoration of the Burning of Downtown Marietta

Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War  with a real-life experience of devastating Burning of the Historic Square  Saturday, November 8.

The City of Marietta will continue its commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War Battles of Marietta throughout the rest of the year, culminating with a real-life experience of General Sherman’s devastating Burning of the Historic Square and the City’s triumphant rebirth on Saturday, November 8.

Marietta effectively surrendered when Confederate General Joseph Johnston was forced to abandon the town on July 2, 1864. Even though the Union Army and federal troops had been occupying Marietta since July, Southern citizens who had remained saw no real activity until early November when trains began running at all hours of the day and night carrying wounded Union troops and various supplies. The trains’ only destination was North, and fast. The reason for the urgency was simple and harsh – once the last train had gone north, the railroad and City would be burned and destroyed by General Sherman.

In the days and weeks that followed, history would record the destruction of Downtown Marietta as one of the first steps towards General William Sherman’s March to the Sea.

Schedule of Events for November 7th and 8th

On Friday evening (Nov 7) there will be active rehearsals for the Burning of Marietta event. (Expect some booms and pops!)

The Farmer’s Market will be relocated to East Park. Artist Market will remain on Mill Street. East Park Square and North Park Square (streets) will be closed at 5:30am Saturday morning and remain closed all day for the event.

cannonCivil War Festival on the Square 10am-9pm

10am – 7pm There will be several activities going on such as re-enactors in Glover Park, carriage rides, children’s games, 2 inflatables, touch-a-truck, a dunk tank, pin the devil horns on Sherman, music, included are kids’ Games & Activities 12pm-5pm (Games include a Bucket Brigade, Sherman DunkTank, Civil War era games, and various other fun events, plus Marietta Fire Department’s Touch-A-Truck Event 12pm-5pm

Extra excuse to shop as Merchants are welcome to set up on the sidewalk to sell merchandise or refreshments like they do for the sidewalk sale that Karen Heard coordinates.

Burning, Rebirth & Live Battle Skirmish at 8pm  The “burning” show will begin at 8:00pm. It will include a performance by the Symphony on the Square and a re-enactment of what happened 150 years ago when Marietta burned. This will include special effects to replicate the burning and will occur on East Park on the County buildings.

Symphony on the Square

Re-enactor Camp on the Square

More information available at www.mariettacivilwar.com.