The Battle of Selma is upon us and we encourage everyone to take some time this weekend and check out the different events and programs associated with the commemoration.

Unlike the voting rights movement 50 years ago, there is no one living that remembers the Civil War first-hand. There is no footage of the battle to be played on television or soldiers to speak with about their experience.

All people have to go by are the stories and photographs that have been passed down through many generations.

But like the voting rights movement, the history is still as important today as it was then and people need to hear about the struggles and triumphs of Selma’s past.

History is a vital part of any community, and Selma definitely has a past worth learning about. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma.

That’s why this weeks events are so important to the youth in the community and their ability to not only learn history from a textbook, but to see it re-enacted first-hand and to have a better understanding of what happened here 150 years ago.

We are happy to see the April 1865 Society and Wallace Community College team up to offer the living history school tours again this year and provide students with hands-on instruction and fun activities all while learning about the history of the Queen City.

It’s great to see people in the community doing what they can to further a child’s education and provide them with opportunities that not all students are provided.

This year’s battle is set to be the largest re-enactment yet with more than 1,300 re-enactors, 100 horses, four horse-drawn cannons and 100 cannons.

It’s sure to please and entertain everyone who attends and we hope to see a lot of people there.

The living history school tours will kick the weekend off Thursday at Riverside Park.

Later in the evening, a free Civil War writer forum will be held at ArtsRevive at 5:30 p.m.

The celebration continues Friday with the sights and sounds of Civil War era artillery at 7:30 p.m. and the re-enactor’s camp dance at 8 p.m. at Riverside Park.

The gates to the event will open at 9 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Park. A Civil War infantry, cavalry and artillery tactics event will be held at 2 p.m. at the park with a $7 admission fee. Saturday night, the annual Battle of Selma Grand Military Ball for re-enactors and society members in period dress will be from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. at Sturdivant Hall.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, there will be a Civil War Memorial Service and history tour at historic Old Live Oak Cemetery.

The main attraction – the re-enactment of the Battle of Selma – will be Sunday at Riverside Park and admission is $7. At 9 a.m., the gates will open and a period worship service will be held. The battle will begin at 2 p.m. and guests are asked to arrive in plenty of time before the event begins.

We hope everyone in the community can make it out to some of the events to support the April 1865 Society and all they have worked for this year’s commemoration.

We commend them for their efforts and we are excited to see what all is in store.