History comes alive Friday night as the Vicksburg National Military Park will be giving visitors a candlelit look at the past during its popular Shadows of the Past tour.

The tour will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, ranger Ray Hamel said. There is no admission charge for the tour, but reservations are required.

The program will feature four stops depicting Civil War-era life will be staged by park employees and local actors, featuring historical personalities. It will follow the same path as the first candlelight tour did in 2011, said ranger Tim Kavanaugh.

Beginning at the former superintendent’s building where the heritage garden is located and will follow the Pemberton surrender site road to the Old Jackson Road and wind toward the Illinois Memorial and Shirley House before stopping at Battery DeGolyer.

There visitors will experience cannon fire in the dark. At the battery, a Union cannon will fire in the dark, trying to disturb the rest of the rebels.

“The cannons are a big crowd pleaser, so we’re going to do that,” Kavanaugh said.

He said after witnessing the roar of the cannons visitors will end the tour back at the former superintendent’s building.

“This is a great opportunity to get out and find your park during the centennial of the National Park Service,” Hamel said in an email.

NPS recently adopted Find Your Park as its slogan during the 100th anniversary of the park service.

Tours will last approximately one hour and participants are urged to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring flashlights, and dress appropriately for weather on this mile-long walk along the park tour road, Hamel said.

Each tour is limited to 30 visitors. Tours will start at 7 p.m. and depart every half hour with the last tour leaving at 8:30 p.m. The walk is approximately a mile and a half and comfortable walking shoe are advised. Groups calling to reserve blocks are limited to 10 individuals. For reservations and directions, call 601-636-0583.

In the event of inclement weather, the tours will be held Saturday, May 16.