"Cabin Fever Jubilee" March 31 at Apple River Fort

ELIZABETH - Dust off the cobwebs and chase away the winter blahs during "Cabin Fever Jubilee" to be held Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Apple River Fort State Historic Site in Elizabeth, Illinois.

 

Costumed interpreters will portray the settlers of Apple River Fort as they embrace spring following the long winter.  Settlers will tap trees for maple sugaring, till the ground and sow seeds for spring planting, and make soap to prepare for spring cleaning.  Sheep shearing will begin at 11 a.m.  Other period activities will also be demonstrated, and visitors should be prepared to join in the fun. 

 

A Spring Militia Muster will take place that day.  Interpreters will portray Captain Clack Stone's Company, 27th Regiment Illinois Militia that was called into service of the United States by the Governor's Orders dated May 15th, 1832 for the Black Hawk War.  Re-enactors will muster into service and make preparations for the defense of the fort.  They will practice firing from the blockhouse and stockade walls, holding inspection of weapons, making lead bullets, sending out pickets, and changing the guard mount.

 

"Cabin Fever Jubilee" is free and open to the public.      

 

The Apple River Fort State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is a reconstruction of the 1830s civilian fort that was the site of a battle between Black Hawk's Sauk warriors and Apple River settlers during the Black Hawk War.  It is located along U.S. Route 20 in Elizabeth, Illinois, and is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours.  The site will be open seven days per week April 16 - September 3, 2007.