FORT LARNED — The Fort Larned National Historic Site will come to life Labor Day weekend.
Experience the excitement of a working frontier fort as Fort Larned National Historic Site hosts Labor Day Weekend activities Sept. 1 to 3. Living history demonstrations and activities will be held all three days of the event from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is free.  
This year’s event will also feature music by Chris Day and Janet Armsted at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the park theater. Their music specializes in not only great songs but also funny little sayings from the 1860s and 1870s.
“Everyone will not only enjoy the music, but find yourself laughing at the way it is performed,’ said  Fort Larned Superintendent Kevin McMurry
McMurry said the Fort Larned National Historic Site features something unique for every age group. Park Rangers Roy Hargadine, Karl Grover, Mike Seymour and Ellen Jones will deliver feature presentations.
“Special events like this allow our visitors to connect with history on a higher level,” said McMurry.  “Seeing the fort come to life can be a memorable experience for the whole family.”
Fort Larned will be abuzz with activity as park staff and volunteers portray the living fort as it was in the 1860s and 1870s. Volunteers generally participate from a four-state area.
You will be able to watch soldiers perform rifle and cannon demonstrations, blacksmiths working raw metal into finished products, cooks preparing meals for the troops.  Interact with living history interpreters throughout the site including ladies of the post wearing elaborate Victorian dresses and soldiers in historic uniforms.
Each day will be special demonstrations and talks.
Fort Larned National Historic Site is six miles west of Larned on K-156. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fort Larned was Kansas’ first U.S. National Park site, established in 1964. Information on visiting Fort Larned is on the internet at www.nps.gov/fols, or by calling (620) 285-6911, or email to fols_superintendent@nps.gov.

Labor Day Schedule
Saturday
11 a.m. — Artillery and small arms program
1 p.m. — Music, Janet Armsted and Chris Day
2 p.m. — Preserving the Past, Park Ranger Roy Hargadine
3 p.m. — Music, Janet Armsted and Chris Day
4:30 p.m. — Flag Retreat program
Sunday
11 a.m. — Artillery and small arms program
1 p.m. — Music by Janet Armsted and Chris Day
2 p.m. — Military Uniforms of Fort Larned, Park Ranger Karl Grover
3 p.m. — Music, Janet Armsted and Chris Day
4:30 p.m. — Flag Retreat program
Monday
11 a.m. — Artillery and small arms program
1 p.m. — Weapons through the Years, Park Ranger Mike Seymour
2 p.m. — History and Making your own Corn Husk Doll, Park Ranger Ellen Jones
3 p.m. — Life and Death of the Bison, Park Ranger Roy Hargadine
4:30 p.m. — Flag Retreat program