Witness a battle on Frankenmuth’s historic Covered Bridge, learn about military dress in the 18^th century or have a conversation with Ben Franklin during the Cass River Colonial Encampment the weekend of July 16 and 17.

The two-day free event is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 S. Main St. in Frankenmuth. It includes more than 300 reenactors portraying British, French and American soldiers taking part in tactical battle reenactments from the Revolutionary and French and Indian wars.

Other actors will depict voyagers who explored the 18^th century American wilderness and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin.

The Cass River Colonial Encampment is a unique experience in the Great Lakes Bay Region, said Michael Keller Zehnder, vice president of Bavarian Inn, Inc., which owns and operates River Place Shops.

“For the past 15 years, families have enjoyed a free and fun learning experience through the event,” Zehnder said. “It is great to see parents and their children diving into history together, and exploring the past while making family memories that last a lifetime.”

Over the years, thousands of visitors have traveled from out of state and the country to visit the Cass River Colonial Encampment and take part in family-friendly activities like flag-raising ceremonies and period musical concerts. This year’s musical entertainment features Drum and Fife Concerts.

Other activities include weapons demonstrations, daily fashion shows, colonial-inspired vendors and tours of authentic campsites set up by reenactors on the east side of River Place Shops and the area near the Covered Bridge.

Each day kicks off with a flag ceremony and march from the Pedestrian Bridge between River Place Shops and the Covered Bridge Shop, and features a tactical battle reenactment at either the River Place Shops or the historic Covered Bridge located between the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and the Lodge.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops: An authentic re-creation of a German-themed village, located just minutes from the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Lodge. The outdoor mall features more than 40 unique shops and attractions at one location. Visitors enjoy architecture, floral gardens, streams and waterfalls and, of course, great shopping opportunities. River Place Shops hosts a full year of festival and events, learn more at http://frankenmuthriverplace.com

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