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'Battle' highlights Fort Cooper Days
The re-enactment revisits an 1836 clash between Seminole Indians and U.S. Army soldiers.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published March 18, 2005
A re-enactment of an authentic Seminole Indian battle takes place this weekend during Fort Cooper Days, held at Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 Old Floral City Road, Inverness.
The battle re-enactments will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Re-enactors play the part of Seminole Indian warriors, who lay siege to a medical base camp staffed by U.S. Army soldiers circa 1836.
The re-enactment takes place at the site of the fort, which is on the far side of the lake at Fort Cooper. For those who don't mind a walk of approximately a half-mile round trip, a sandy foot trail provides for a hike. Handicap transportation is provided by the park. The transportation is a flat-bed trailer outfitted with bus seats and can accommodate wheelchairs. Park officials recommend arriving at least one hour before the re-enactment times.
The battle pits re-enactors portraying Seminole Indians wearing authentic outfits and weapons. The Seminoles attack by filtering in through the oaks, taking potshots at the soldiers. The soldiers respond with cavalry charges and blasts from a small cannon.
In addition to the re-enactments, Fort Cooper Days includes both period and modern crafts, live music by Jesse Watson and Dave Edwards and food vendors. A new food feature this year will be a fried bread concession by the Red Eagle Lodge.
The period crafts feature soapmaking, weaving and spinning, coopers (pots and pans), a bladesmith and trappers. The Seminole and U.S. Army camps are also open to the public.
Modern craft displays include metal, woodworking, leather, scrollworking and quilts.
Offsite parking will be implemented after the park's lot is full. The offsite lot is across Old Floral City Road, approximately a quarter mile from the main gate. Shuttle buses will take people from the offsite lots to the festival site.
Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children 6-17 years old; children younger than 6 are admitted free. For more information, call the park at 726-0315.
[Last modified March 18, 2005, 00:42:17]
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