This city is world-famous for the National Military Park, and though we have many other fine attractions, the park stands above the rest.
On Saturday night, Shadows of the Past, an evening candlelight walking tour featuring historical personalities once again welcomed visitors to Vicksburg National Military Park.
Actors and many of the park’s rangers and employees played roles, and assisted with traffic, parking and directions. The tour is one of the few opportunities to legally visit the park after sunset.
The re-creations, staged for free, were part of the annual Shadows of the Past tours and serve to interest and excite “non-traditional” visitors who are not as familiar with the park’s story.
The event highlights the gem of our community that is the National Military Park. The park draws tourist the world over.
Tourism is our lifeblood, and Warren County simply can’t afford for Vicksburg National Military Park to remain closed.
In 2012, the park had more than half a million visitors from across the globe. It’s difficult to calculate the total number of visitors to the city, but tourism officials estimate that visitors spent more than $212 million here during fiscal year 2012.
It’s hard to imagine our community without the park. The two are so intertwined it’s no surprise that their fates also would be. The community desperately needs the park to showcase our city and its treasured history. Our park is like no other park and is truly an “art park”. The Shadows of the Past candlelight tours are yet another jewel in the crown of the park. If you haven’t been to one of the candlelight tours, be sure to attend the next one.