The Champion Heritage Foundation will commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of Champion Hill from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of Champion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, which was the site of the Champion House prior to the May 16, 1863 battle.

“The house was taken over by General U. S. Grant and used as Union headquarters and a field hospital before being destroyed,” historian and event organizer Rebecca Drake said.

Bertram Hayes-Davis, great-great grandson of President Jefferson Davis, whose home is now on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, will be the featured speaker for the free event.

“It’s always an honor to have Bertram and his lovely wife, Carol, to be a part of Champion Hill events. This year will mark the third year that he has addressed the crowd at Champion Hill, and it is the highlight of the day,” Drake said.

During the 150th anniversary, Drake said approximately 350 descendants of “soldiers who fought” came to be a part of the commemoration, and the Champion Heritage Foundation presented each descendant with a specially designed honorary Blue and Gray Medallion.

“Twenty-three states were represented —the second largest crowd in the history of Champion Hill,” she said.

The largest crowd was in 1890 when thousands of veterans, blue and gray, assembled to commemorate the 27th anniversary and to hear the former General Stephen D. Lee speak.

In addition to featured speaker, the anniversary event will also include exhibits, vendors, and book signings.

Hayes-Davis will speak at 10 a.m. and will sign books at the Vicksburg National Military Park tents afterwards.

Tractor-pulled wagon rides to historic sites and historic markers around the battlefield will be offered beginning at 11 a.m. with tours also at 1 and 3 p.m.

“Tour guides will be Sid Champion V and Charlie Carlisle,” Drake said.

A dinner on the grounds will be offered immediately following the opening ceremony and guest are welcome to enjoy a catfish or fried chicken lunch with trimmings.

The cost is $10. A hotdog plate will also be available for $5.

The Lewis Family Gospel Singers will perform at center stage during the afternoon.

“The Day on the Battlefield is not a reenactment but a day for everyone, young and old, to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Mississippi’s pristine battlefields,” Drake said.

For more information, call 601-953- 4755 or visit battleofchampionhill.org.