The 2011 Battle of Selma re-enactment could shape up to be one of the biggest since the April 1865 Society became the sponsor.

Already, April 1865 Society president James Hammonds reports the group has received a lot of interest from re-enactors and history buffs.

“It could be the biggest one we’ve seen in about three years,” he said. “I think a lot of it has to do with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War coming up. There are a lot of people that have an increased interest in the Civil War because of all the publicity.”

By the time the event begins, Hammonds said there could be as many as 640 participants. On paper, he said there could be more than 400 troops, 24 pieces of artillery and 42 horses. If everything goes according to plan, Hammonds said there could even be 575 re-enactors of all types.

The growing number is good for the battle, Hammonds said, but even better for the local economy.

“They way it has been figured, you get all those people coming into town and they spend $100 per day for three days, it can add up to $1.25 million that is put into the local economy,” he said. “The chamber figured the money spent turns over about seven times and there is about a $200,000 straight dollar impact.”

These figures, he said include participants. Numbers can grow even larger when tourists roll into town.

“Overall, it can have a very big economic impact,” Hammonds said.

So far, Hammonds said everything is coming together well at the battle site. Crews worked Saturday and will attempt to put the final touches on Monday and Tuesday.

For the first time, Hammonds said, the April 1865 Society is also partnering with ArtsRevive to host an author’s forum April 29 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Civil War authors Charles A. Misulia, Denise Weimer and William E. Lockridge will be available to the public in the ArtsRevive Building, 3 Church St.

“We feel like this can be a great partnership,” Hammonds said. “We are very excited about adding this to the week’s events.”