MASSENA – It's been almost 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War, yet the Blue and the Gray will continue to fight out their differences at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association's 9th Annual Civil War Reenactment Weekend in Massena.

Robert Moses State Park will be the stage this Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25 for watching Civil War battles and learning of the war's impact on St. Lawrence County.

The annual Civil War Reenactment Weekend gives spectators a chance to see what life was like for the soldiers who were engaged in this bloody chapter of American history, and an opportunity to speak to women and children re-enactors and learn of the effects of this terrible war on families.

The schedule of events (subject to change) for the Civil War Reenactment Weekend at Robert Moses State Park in Massena is:

• Saturday, July 24: 10 a.m., Camps Open to the Public; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Drilling, Demonstrations, Camp Life; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Displays & Children's Activities; 10:15 a.m., "My Life" with Mary Todd Lincoln; 11:15 a.m., Masonry and the Civil War; 12:15 p.m., Major General Isaac Trimble; 1:15 p.m., Fashion Show - The Many Layers of a 19th Century Woman; 2:15 p.m., 19th century Rules of Etiquette for Ladies and Gentlemen; 3 p.m., Battle; 4 p.m., Basket Auction; 4:45 p.m., 1863 Press Conference with the Medical Staff; 7 p.m., Camps Closed.

• Sunday, July 25: 10 a.m., Camps Open to the Public; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Drilling, Demonstrations, Camp Life; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Displays & Children's Activities; 10:15 a.m., A Conversation with Abraham Lincoln; 11:15 a.m., Major General Isaac Trimble; 12:15 p.m., "My Life" with Mary Todd Lincoln; 1 p.m., Battle and Closing Ceremonies.

As part of Saturday's Fashion Show - The Many Layers of a 19th Century Woman, a woman will be dressed layer by layer so that spectators can see all of the many articles of clothing and how they were worn by a 19th century woman.

The 1863 Press Conference with the Medical Staff will occur shortly after the Saturday battle, so visitors can ask the medical staff about their treatment of casualties from the skirmish.

Union and Confederate re-enactors will stage mock battles, perform military drills, talk about camp life, and demonstrate such skills as coffin-making, cooking, cannon firing, and medical practices.

There will be a basket auction, historical displays and period music.

Re-enactors from New York, Vermont, Ohio, Ontario and Quebec, Canada, are expected to attend, as well as sutlers (vendors of period goods and clothing).

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association presents the weekend, which is hosted by the 2nd Michigan, Co. E Reenactment Unit.

Admission is $4 per person per day/maximum of $15 per vehicle, and free for children 6 and under.

The military camps are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Mock battles will be at 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Closing ceremonies will follow the Sunday battle.

The Marine Corps League St. Lawrence County Detachment 408 provides a food concession both days.

For more information, call the SLCHA at 386-8133 or e-mail info@slcha.org.

Visit the SLCHA's website, www.slcha.org for more information on St. Lawrence County history.