Join the 1856 Family Party this 4th of July
Fort Tejon May Close After Celebration

By Patric Hedlund

We all love things that go ‘boom!’ on the 4th of July, but in the Los Padres Forest it is illegal to use fireworks of any kind.

So for many years, the best Independence Day Celebration on the mountain has been the great family fun offered by Fort Tejon State Historic Park in Lebec, just north on the Interstate 5, easy to find, with its own freeway exit.

If you’ve never been before, come this year. Costumed pioneers and soldiers reenact what life was like in an 1856-era frontier party.

You and your family are invited to join in the fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7, those 6-12 are $3 and those under 6 are free. You will be invited to learn about life of the period and to play the games of 155 years ago.

There are also gracious shade trees and lawns where you can spread a blanket and tables perfect for an old-fashioned family picnic (bring your own lunch and beverages, the old-fashioned way, there are no concessions at the park).

The cannons roar at noon. The dragoons roll out the Howitzers to fire 31 salutes, one to each of the states of the union in 1856. It may be the last time you can hear them. Unless something changes quickly, state budget-cutters say they will be closing Fort Tejon this year.

This is part of the July 01, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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