Visitors to Fort Boonesborough State Park have the opportunity to step back in time this weekend as they observe what life was like for settlers living in the region in 1778.

Park Manager Rob Minerich said the event is a commemoration of when the fort was seized by Shawnee and British soldiers. He added it is put on entirely through volunteers.

“This is a great example of a public park being assisted by the private sector,” Minerich said.

The fort will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event is free with regular fort admission, which is $8 per adult, $5 per child 6-12 and free for children 6 and younger.

Battle re-enactments will happen at 2 p.m. both days, with an additional “night battle” happening around 7 p.m. Sunday.

“This is a very important part in our history in central Kentucky,” Minerich said.

Boonesborough is considered one of the first pioneer settlements in the commonwealth. Minerich said the park has been doing historically-correct re-enactments at the fort for the past 16 years.

When open, the fort will feature live demonstrations from costumed re-enactors doing things like basket weaving, smithing, making soap, gardening, dyeing fabric, bee keeping, cooking and more.

“We encourage folks to come out early and visit with the pioneer merchants and encampments,” Minerich said. “We plan to start the event promptly at 2 p.m.”

Also at the fort will be a reproduction 18th century copper whisky still, a charcoal, iron and blacksmith exhibit and the Frank T Barnes Iron Collection.

Parking for the event will be available in front of the fort with additional overflow parking nearby. Minerich said trolley service will be available to bring people to and from the fort. Additionally, a half-mile walking trail connects the lot with the fort.

The Fort Boonesborough Foundation will sell lunch both days.

Contact Seth Littrell at seth.littrell@winchestersun.com.