Stories of Vicksburg after the Civil War will come alive Saturday during the Vicksburg National Military Park’s popular Shadows of the Past walking tour.

The tour will focus on stories from the 1870s through the 1940s, said VNMP ranger Jake Koch.

“We’re trying to come up with some ideas that are outside the box and different than what we usually do,” Koch said.

The program is free, but reservations are required for the tours that start every half hour from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the old superintendent’s headquarters on Pemberton Avenue inside the park, Koch said.

“There’s still quite a few left on all time slots,” Koch said.

The majority of spaces are in the 8 and 8:30 p.m. tours, he said.

Stories shared during the candlelight tour will include the Mississippi River flood of 1927 and the metal drive during World War II that claimed most of the park’s monuments.

One of the oldest stories will be of the Vicksburg Riots of 1874, during which at least 26 people were killed.

“That’s a lead-in for a bigger program we’re going to have in December for the 140th anniversary,” Koch said.

This program requires walking roughly a mile over paved and gravel portions of the park tour road and includes some hills.

Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather and arrive about 15 minutes before their scheduled tour in order to drive to the program location, park and check-in. Saturday is expected to be clear and cool with a low around 36.

To make reservations, call the park Visitors Center at 601-636-0583.