Vicksburg National Military Park is seeking volunteers to help slap a fresh coat of paint on some of the battlefield’s historic cannons.

Volunteer sign-up will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the parking lot of the USS Cairo, next to Vicksburg National Cemetery, ranger Ray Hamell said. Those who plan to participate should use the park entrance on Fort Hill Drive, he said.

“You can give back to your country, get out of the house, and honor your heritage all at once,” Hamell said in an email.

The event is part of the Civil War Trust’s 19th annual Park Day.

Volunteers are also needed for a Park Day cleanup event beginning at 9 a.m. at Raymond Battlefield Park at the intersection of Old Port Gibson Street and Mississippi 18 in Raymond. Work in Raymond will involve litter pickup, removing undergrowth, painting cannons and site work on a parking pullover at the Confederate artillery line.

Volunteers at both events should come dressed for outdoor work.

“Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and paint-stained,” Hamel said.

At noon a pizza lunch will be offered in the USS Cairo picnic area and will include a presentation provided by the park’s interpretive staff. Raymond officials also plan to provide lunch, according to the Civil War Trust.

In 2014, nearly 9,000 volunteers converged on 104 sites across the country, where they donated more than 35,000 service hours during Park Day.

For more information on Vicksburg National Military Park’s project, call 601-636-0583. For more information on the Raymond event, visit friendsofraymond.org.