Rifle Firing Demonstrations and programs take place on the Parade Ground. Cannon Firing Demonstrations take place at the Upper Gun Platform.
9:30 a.m.
Morning Cannon Salute/Fort Mackinac Open for the Day
Here’s your chance to add your name to the record books!
10:00 a.m. – An America250 Event!
Rifle Firing Demonstration followed by Changing Face of Fort Mackinac Program
Learn about the changing technology of the US Army and find out why the army put an emphasis on marksmanship and changing tactics. Includes a live demonstration! Then, learn how Fort Mackinac has changed architecturally over from its founding during the American Revolution to its last year in 1895.
11:00 a.m.
Cannon Firing Demonstration, followed by Mackinac National Park Program
Experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon! Fort Mackinac was headquarters to the United States’ second national park, in existence 1875-1895. This program will introduce the rise of tourism on Mackinac Island and how the island and fort have been preserved.
12:00 p.m.
Changing of the Guard Program, followed by the People of Fort Mackinac Program
Learn how soldiers would conduct Guard Mount in the 1880s and watch as interpreters act out this complex military ceremony. Then, take a tour of Fort Mackinac while learning about the various people who called Fort Mackinac home.
1:00 p.m.
Cannon Firing Demonstration, followed by the Army of the 1880s Program
Experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon! Then, head with an interpreter for a deeper look at the army of the 1880s.
2:00 p.m.
Infantry Exercise and Rifle Firing Demonstration
Join the Fort Mackinac military interpreters in a light drill, as the soldiers did in the 1880s, and watch them conduct a rifle firing and skirmish drill.
3:00 p.m.
Cannon Firing Demonstration followed by Soldier’s Uniform and Equipment Program
Experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon! Then, learn about the equipment issued to soldiers in the 1880s and learn more about the Quartermasters’ Storehouse.
4:00 p.m.
Rifle Firing and Drill Demonstration
Dig deeper into the lives of the soldiers at Fort Mackinac by participating in this interactive program. Following the rifle firing demonstration, interpreters will guide you through one of several activities, changing daily, that soldiers did during the 1880s.
5:00 p.m.
Cannon Firing Demonstration, followed by the Women of Fort Mackinac Program
Experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon! Then, join an interpreter in exploring the role women played at Fort Mackinac in the 1880s.
6:00 p.m.
Rifle Firing Demonstration
Learn about the changing technology of the US Army and find out why the army put an emphasis on marksmanship and changing tactics. Includes a live demonstration!
6:30 p.m.
Cannon Firing Demonstration
Experience the boom of the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon!
7:00 p.m.
Fort Mackinac Closed for the Day
A downloadable version of the events schedule can be found by clicking here.
