LEBEC, CA (Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 4 p.m.)—Those who love Fort Tejon Historic State Park and the wonderful living history events, including the Civil War Reenactment, are planning to be there on Sunday, May 20 for what could be the last Civil War event, according to Sara Fuess, daughter of longtime Fort Tejon Living History participant John Fuess.

According to the Fort Tejon Historical Association website, Sunday battles are at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. (approximately 30-45 minutes each). Guided tours of the Union and Confederate camps are offered between the battles.

Over at Lilac Festival in Pine Mountain this weekend, Sara Fuess was in a Fort Tejon Historic Park booth asking residents to send letters to their elected officials, pleading that the beautiful historic park be kept open. California budget problems have left our historic state parks at risk. Fort Tejon is one of over 50 slated for closing this summer.

In May 2011 originally 70 of California’s treasured state parks were placed on the closure list. Temporary reprieves have been granted to 12 so far.

For business people and the Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce, this may also be a wake-up call, as the park attracts (according to counts by former living history interpretor Sean Malis) up to 75,000 people a year to our area. That is a wonderful opportunity to invite them to explore further west, and to learn about all the other exciting recreational ecotourism opportunities of our area.

There is a facebook page —www.facebook.com/GarrisonFortTejon —you can check for updates and to see how you may be able to help. Remember, Sunday, May 20, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., are your opportunities to see the Civil War battle reenactment. If you haven’t seen one before, here is your chance.

This is part of the May 18, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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