Fort Frederick State Park to Host 18th Century Market Fair April 22-25, 2004. Thousands to Attend Historic French and Indian War Fort in Washington County, Maryland

18th Century Market Fair Comes to Life at Washington County's Fort Frederick State Park, located in Western Maryland. Thousands expected to 10th Annual Event.

Big Pool, MD (PRWEB) April 9, 2004 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources State Forest and Park Service and The Friends of Fort Frederick State Park will hold the 10th Annual 18th Century Market Fair April 22-25.

Visitors to the park will witness the best 18th century artisans, craftsmen and sutlers amidst an historical 1730-1790 encampment. Authentic period entertainers will perform on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the event.

"We chose an earlier time frame this year in that we are highlighting what the fort would have been like between 1730 and 1790," said Steve Roberston, Fort Frederick State Park Historian. "These were the first sixty years that settlers inhabited the area and so the encampment will have very exciting and energetic feeling of what was then a new venture."

Nearly 100 sutlers from all over the United States will be demonstrating and selling their crafts including blacksmiths, tinsmiths, coppersmiths, potters, clothiers and gunsmiths. Food will be available for purchase from the Clear Spring District Historic Association and Captain Wort's Sutlery will feature gift and souvenir items. Magic, music, balancing, juggling, story-telling, and fire-eating will also delight the public.

Volunteer interpreters will present continuous living history programs within the historic fort walls on April 24 and 25. These programs will include cannon and musket firing, and demonstrations of drilling and military life.

Times for the Market Fair each day are:
Thursday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Service charges for the event are $4 per adult and children under 6 are free. Proceeds benefit The Friends of Fort Frederick State Park, Inc.

Fort Frederick State Park is located in Washington County near Clear Spring and Big Pool, and is the home of Fort Frederick, Maryland's premier stone fort. It was built by the colony of Maryland in 1756 to protect its western boundaries and as a base to attack French claims to the Ohio River Valley. In 1922, the fort became the FIRST State Park in Maryland. Currently Fort Frederick is an educational center for the study of the French and Indian War. Historians say that Fort Frederick is the only remaining original French and Indian War stone fort in the United States. According to Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Tom Riford, "This will be an exciting four day event at Fort Frederick. To see this authentic 18th Century Market Fair will be a treat for the whole family."

Fort Frederick is located off of MD Rt. 70 exit 12 at State Route 56, Big Pool. For more information about the Muster or other Fort Frederick activities, please call the park at 301-842-2155 during the office hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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