Cannon and musket firings, food, games and more lured hundreds of people to Fort McAllister State Park Saturday when the Friends of Fort McAllister hosted the second annual Labor Day Family Festival.

Event coordinator Ryan Strickland said a lot of work went into planning the event and that the Friends of Fort McAllister wanted to provide a family-friendly Labor Day weekend activity.

“We wanted to provide a festival for the community that families can enjoy with young kids and even grandparents,” Strickland said.

Strickland said there were a lot of volunteers that helped get the day started and running, and was glad to see a good turnout on Saturday.

In addition to the food and games, children could also climb into bounce houses and slide down water slides while parents enjoyed picnics and the shade of the fort’s large oak trees. Civil war reenactors also provided cannon and musket firings and blacksmithing demonstrations.

The event brought out many locals, who all seemed to be anticipating the cannon and musket firings.

“My little boy is all about the reenactments,” Leeann Yarbrough said. “It’s a local activity and it’s good weather. We’re waiting for the cannon firing.”

Austin Heinisch of Richmond Hill said he lived only a few minutes away, and brought his family out for the Civil War demonstrations as well.

Richmond Hill resident Cathy Lewis said her son brought a flyer home from school and that he was also excited about the cannon firings.

“We came out to have something do to on Labor Day weekend,” Lewis said, noting they were enjoying the event.
Students from the Richmond Hill High School jazz ensemble were also there to entertain crowds, and student volunteers provided face painting and various craft activities for children.