Paul Goldberg

Date: March 13, 2008

Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will celebrate peace as they gather for the 11th annual Encampment scheduled July 26-27 on the English Camp parade ground.

The event is free. Disabled persons should call the park at 378-2902 for special access information.

Encampment 2008 commemorates the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island by British and American forces from 1859 to 1872, and final, peaceful settlement of the Northwest Boundary dispute. Throughout the joint occupation the garrisons would exchange visits to celebrate holidays that included Christmas, the Fourth of July and Queen Victoria’s birthday. Typically the men would participate in athletic contests, imbibe in spirits and other refreshments and usually host a dance to which the community was invited. The Encampment tradition was renewed in 1998 on the occasion of the dedication of English Camp’s 80-foot flagpole, a gift to the park by the people of the United Kingdom.

The highlight of this year’s event will be black powder rifled musket demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days. While artillery was forbidden on the island during the joint occupation, the troops from both sides regularly practiced with small arms. The English Camp demonstrations will be done with blank cartridges on a controlled range under strict NPS safety standards.

More than 90 partner re-enactors from Fort Langley, Fort Rodd Hill, New Westminster, and Esquimalt, BC; and Fort Nisqually, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Vancouver will join with San Juan Islanders in staging the two-day exhibition.

Activities include recreations of mid-19th century Royal Marine Light Infantry and U.S. Army camp life, demonstrations of music, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, sewing and cooperage and carpentry, along with the pageantry of period uniforms in scarlet and blue.

Highlight of the weekend is the Candlelight Ball, scheduled at 8 p.m., in the English Camp barracks. The public is invited to join in the dancing and refreshments that will include the traditional cake and punch. Music will be provided by the folk group Sugar on the Floor.

The weekend kicks off with a performance of The Life and Times of General George Pickett at 8 p.m. Friday at the San Juan Juan Community Theatre and Art Centre. Call the theatre box office at (360) 378-3210 for tickets.

For more information on Encampment 2008 and to view photos from Encampments, visit the link on the right column of this page.