PERRYVILLE, Ky. – The 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville will be commemorated Oct. 6-7 and will feature several new experiences for visitors at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site in Boyle County.

The commemoration weekend will include a Civil War concert by the 2nd South Carolina String Band on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. The 2^nd South Carolina String Band is considered among the premier Civil War string bands in the country and regularly performs at Gettysburg. For more information, visit http://www.civilwarband.com

Another new feature this year is a chance to be drilled and marched like Civil War soldiers. The “In the Line of Battle” program will be offered to guests 13 and older at 10 a.m. on Sunday for $4 a person. Participants will become members of the Union Army on the battlefield and will be drilled, marched and treated as if they are soldiers.

Battle re-enactments will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is $5 per car/minivan, $10 per cargo van and $25 per bus. Battlefield tours will be offered on both days for $4. There will historical presentations given throughout the weekend and food will be available. A film about the battle will be shown several times throughout the weekend. Guests can also visit the military camps.

Gates open to the public at 9 a.m. both days. The area is hilly and guests should be prepared to walk on hilly ground.

The 1862 battle was the largest Civil War conflict in Kentucky, leaving more than 7,600 casualties. The park includes a museum, gift shop, cemetery and markers that explain the battle and history of the area.

For information, call the park at 859-332-8631. Perryville Battlefield is 45 miles southwest of Lexington. Take U.S. 68 west to U.S. 150 west.