In an effort to recognize and commemorate the sesquicentennial of The Civil War, Bonaparte Main Street is changing and expanding The Taste of History to a weekend event to be held downtown Bonaparte on June 11 and 12, 2011.
 
Board members and interested citizens met to brainstorm ideas and discuss entertainments that might be available to the community to center around the annual dinner theater. 
 
The Bonaparte City Council approved the use of Riverfront Park and Lions’ Park for Union and Confederate re-enactors.  These groups will set up for the weekend exhibiting camp life, skirmishes, and demonstrations.
 
Other entertainments and vendors are being contacted for commitments as well as collectors of period memorabilia who might be interested in displaying downtown.  Any one that would like to design a vignette of their personal family Civil War history should contact Rhea Huddleston, Business Improvement, about displaying in one of our downtown buildings.    
 
Gianna Barrow is sponsoring a doll dressing contest providing dolls to be dressed in 1860’s period costumes that will be voted upon by the general public leading up to the event.  These dolls will then be sold at silent auction during the Scenic Drive the following October with proceeds going back into the event.  Anyone wishing to sponsor a similar era appropriate activity can contact Dana Mabe, Promotion Chair, to discuss ideas and possibilities. 
 
The February 1861 issued thirty-four star flags and Rebel flags have been purchased to hang on the historic street lights during the two day event.  Main Street is asking for sponsorships of the flags at a cost of $20 each.  The flags will be marked to identify the sponsor and, if applicable, to whom it’s in memory of.  Anyone interested in sponsoring a flag, please contact Connie Meek, Treasurer.
 
A logo has been designed by Carol Gunn and JMJ Screen Printing for use on merchandise and in promotions of the event.  T-shirts have been ordered and will be available at Waterfront Place in the near future.  We hope to have the logo applied to denim shirts, sweatshirts, hats and canvas bags this fall.
 
We are also looking for your family Civil War stories to include in The Taste of History over the next five years.  Be aware that your ancestors’ stories can be told even if they never came to southeast Iowa.  You, living in Van Buren County, are the local connection and we want to tell your family history.  If you don’t know a great deal about a military company, many of their activities are posted on-line and can be incorporated into a script.  If you are interested, we invite you to tell your story as your ancestor, but it’s not required.  Contact Gianna Barrow, Organization Chair, to share your histories.