Camp Floyd State Park does something a little different for Memorial Day weekend — it’s got a Civil War encampment.
“It’s a family-friendly event,” said Chuck Mood, park ranger at Camp Floyd, at 18035 W. 1540 North in Fairfield.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, there will be period games to play, uniforms for kids to try and drills for kids with toy guns, he said. There will be hamburgers for sale, an earthen oven to demonstrate how people of the period baked bread, flags on all the headstones in the park cemetery in honor of Memorial Day and stagecoach rides will be available on Monday.
“Some re-enactors will fire volleys on occasion and explain about the Civil War,” he said.
But it isn’t quite a Civil War encampment, because there were no Civil War battles in Utah and Camp Floyd was closed at the start of the Civil War, Mood said. “It’s basically the period of Johnston’s Army.”
Camp Floyd was occupied from 1858 to 1861, and the inn at the park, the Stagecoach Inn, operated from 1858 to 1947. The museum and inn will be open during the encampment.
The encampment is free, but stagecoach rides, food and entrance to the museum do have a fee. The encampment is also open on Saturday, May 28, at the same time, but there will be no stagecoach rides. For more information about the park, go to stateparks.utah.gov/parks/camp-floyd.
Or try one of these other events happening around Utah Valley on Memorial Day:
Alpine
Alpine City invites all veterans, families of veterans and friends of veterans to attend the Alpine City Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 7:30 a.m. at the Alpine City Cemetery, 400 Grove Drive.
A military Honor Guard will conduct the raising of the flag and remembrance. Honors of Alpine’s deceased veterans will be conducted by the playing of “Taps” and we will honor Alpine’s living veterans by playing a medley of the military service songs. A short and meaningful address will be given by a military member.
Veterans are invited to come in uniform; however, if you don’t have one or can’t fit into it, please wear items that will help the city to recognize you as a veteran.
Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.
American Fork
Memorial Day in American Fork starts with the annual breakfast sponsored by the American Fork Fire Department, from 6-10 a.m. at the fire station, 96 N. Center St. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for kids; veterans eat free.
Then the American Fork Children’s Choir will perform at the annual Memorial Day Program starting at 11 a.m. at the Alpine Tabernacle, 110 E. Main St.
Eagle Mountain
Eagle Mountain will host its Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Pony Express Memorial Cemetery, 4647 N. Eagle Mountain Blvd. While the city is only 20 years old, it wants to commemorate the new Pony Express Memorial Cemetery, which now has 13 people laid to rest there. The program includes five speakers, posting of the colors by Unified Fire Authority Honor Guard and bagpiper Aaron Asay playing “Amazing Grace.”
Lehi
There will be a Memorial Day program at the Lehi Cemetery, 1100 N. 400 East, at 10 a.m., organized by the Post 19 American Legion, Lehi City Arts and Lehi City.
Lindon
Lindon will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Lindon City Cemetery, 550 N. 200 East.
Each year, the Lindon City Police Department, with the support of the mayor and city council, spearheads the effort to collect and authenticate the names of those who have done so much to preserve our freedoms. This effort culminates each Memorial Day with a one-hour program, which includes a special message from an honored veteran, patriotic music by a Lindon Youth Choir, the reading of the role of honor, a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of “Taps” and the solemn placing of a traditional wreath upon the monument by an honored guest.
Mapleton
Mapleton will host is annual Flag-Raising Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Mapleton City Park, on the corner of Main St. and Maple St. There will be a pancake breakfast in the pavilion after the ceremony.
The Maple Mountain High School Band, under the direction of Chris Wilson, will provide the music. Retired Korean War Veteran Richard Howell will be the featured speaker. To ensure a seat for the service, those attending may want to bring a lawn chair.
Orem
The Orem Heritage Commission invites you to the annual Memorial Day Program on May 30th at the Orem Cemetery at 9 a.m.
This year the featured speakers are living legends who both served in World War II.
There also will be a vintage airplane flyover, musical performances and a silent drill by BYU ROTC. Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us by attending this event.
Pleasant Grove
Pleasant Grove‘s annual Memorial Day event will start at 9 a.m. at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, 500 N. Main St. The event will feature Pleasant Grove resident and Air Force and Army veteran Jay Fidel and police Chief Michael Smith.
Provo
Provo City’s annual Memorial Day Service will begin at 10 a.m. at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 S. State St., in honor of all the servicemen and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country.
The service will include musical numbers by the Timpview High School Band, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Miss Provo, and the National Anthem performed by the Timpview Madrigal Choir. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony lead by Mayor John Curtis, accompanied by representatives of the American Legion and DAV.
The youth speaker will be Katie Fietkau and Michael Kipp, a past member of Seal Team 1, will give the keynote address. The program will conclude with a 21-gun salute by Metro SWAT and the “Taps” bugle call by Timpview High School Band. Active duty and veterans are encouraged to wear uniforms.
The event, which was planned by the Provo City Veterans Council and America’s Freedom Festival, is free of charge and open to the public. In the case of inclement weather, the service will move to the Covey Center for the Arts, 425 W. Center St.
Spanish Fork
The annual Spanish Fork Memorial Day Program will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 S. 400 East.