Antietam Anniversary Weekend to Include Appearance by Artist Jeff Fioravanti

Release provides information pertaining to the 142nd Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of Antietam. The focus of the weekend and the appearance by the artist is to make people aware of the history, ecological and recreational benefits of the national park.

Sharpsburg, MD (PRWEB) August 16, 2004 -- artist Jeff Fioravanti announced today that he will be appearing at Antietam National Battlefield, September 17 & 18, from 10:00 AM -- 2:00 PM, in the visitor center as part of the annual anniversary weekend" commemoration. The appearance by the artist will be part of a collection of activities slated for the park September 16 -- 19, 2004. His appearance will also help kick off the recently announced (July 9, 2004) partnership between Fioravanti and the Western Maryland Interpretive Association (WMIA) an organization that serves as the nonprofit cooperating association for Antietam and Monocacy National Battlefields

The events scheduled at Antietam will this year mark the 142nd anniversary of the Confederacys first attempt at bringing the war to the doorstep of the northern people. The battle, which began in the early of hours of September 17, 1862, would come to be known, once the smoke had cleared, as the bloodiest day in Americas history, as more than 23,000 fathers, sons, and brothers would find themselves wounded, killed or listed as missing by days end.

The annual park sponsored anniversary weekend commemorates the 1862 event with several days of activities beginning with, Prelude to Battle" on September 16th, followed by Anniversary Hikes" on September 17th and a commemorative ceremony, at the Dunker Church, one of the most contested areas of the battle, at 6:00 PM, also on September 17th. In addition, Real Time Hikes" led by the Park Rangers will occur on September 18 & 19. A complete schedule of the weekends events is available by calling the park at 301/432-5124, or by visiting their web site at http://www.nps.gov/anti.

Jeff Fioravanti is an award-winning artist, who belongs to several preservation groups and prestigious art organizations throughout the United States, and is included in Whos Who in America. To learn more about the artist, and to see a sampling of his artwork, please visit http://www.fioravanti-fineart.com, or contact the artist at 781/595-5961 or via email jfiorava@concentric.net.