Preparations are officially underway for the 151st Anniversary Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment.
The three day event kicks off Friday morning, attracting thousands of people from all over the country.
“Of all places in America, the Battle of Gettysburg really anchored the freedom of America that we have today so to be in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the Fourth of July is where you need to be,” said Norris Flowers the President of Destination Gettysburg.
For some, attending the reenactment is a family tradition they look forward to every year.
“It’s very interesting. It’s natural living history that they get to witness so then when they go back and read it in text books it makes a lot more sense to them,” said Bart Heagy from Southern Chester County in Pennsylvania.
For others like Frank and Lucas Smith from Cleveland, Ohio, this is their first year coming to Gettysburg for Independence Day.
“I’m big into history,” 17-year-old Lucas said. “I just like to see what we’ve come through as a country and with the Gettysburg reenactment it’s going to be cool to watch.”
Robert Adams and his wife own Gettysburg Campgrounds. He says the patriotic weekend offers a huge boost to sales.
“We’re very busy. This evening we will fill up and be completely sold out,” Adams added.
The three day event kicks off Friday morning and will go through Sunday.