
A Look at the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival
Since 1978, cavalry troops and infantry units have converged on the grounds of Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in northeastern South Dakota for the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival each June. Muzzleloaders, riflemen and crack-shots meet amid a tipi encampment with dozens of lodges and traders, historical figures, an art and craft show, melodrama stage show and music from the Civil War.
The Travel South Dakota Stories
Episode 7: Marching Back in Time
As soon as we arrive at Fort Sisseton, we're handed Civil War-era muskets. That's because we've enlisted in the Army — the Union Army! Join us at the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival, where we take part in marching drills, sleep in a haunted hospital and step on toes at the Military Ball, all while learning about the fort's place in American history.
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