Candlelight Tours Special Event

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News Release Date: September 3, 2008
Contact: Frank Torres, 505-425-8025

Imagine being on the prairie at night under a blanket of stars, hearing the whistling of the wind and the howl of the coyote. Now imagine that it’s back in the mid 1800’s! Fort Union National Monument, a unit of the National Park Service, announces its annual “Candlelight Tour” on August 23rd. The program begins at dusk and small groups will be guided through the ruins where vignettes of long ago will be presented through-out the park, weather permitting. As the visitors walk through the dark they will come upon different scenes that illustrate life of the mid 19th century whether it be soldier, laundress, commander or civilian worker. Each vignette will be lit by candle lanterns to add authenticity. The tours take approximately 1/2 hour each and all tours will be guided by a member of the park staff.

"We are pleased to present this special event again which was a huge success last year and in the past,” states Superintendent Marie Sauter. “Park staff and volunteers are excited to participate in the unusual evening program. Each vignette or story will provide visitors an opportunity to view Fort Union as it might have been."

Reservations are required and will be made on a first-come-first-serve basis. Tours will begin at 8:30 p.m. and run every half hour. Entrance fees are $3.00 for adults. Children 16 and under are free. Fee receipts are also honored at Pecos National Historical Park for 7 days. To reserve a spot on a tour, call Fort Union National Monument at 505-425-8025.

Folks wanting to take the tours areed to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a light jacket. No flashlights or cameras are allowed on the tour. In case of bad weather, please call the park to confirm that the event will still take place.

Fort Union (1851-1891) was the largest frontier military post and supply center of the southwest. The National Park Service preserves and protects the Fort Union adobe ruins and the ruts of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. For further information contact the park at [phone] or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/foun.

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