The event speaker will feature Bertram Hayes-Davis, great-great grandson of President Jefferson Davis, whose home is now on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Bertram, accompanied by his wife Carol, first visited Champion Hill in May of 2013 to speak at the 150th Anniversary. Approximately 350 descendants of “soldiers who fought” came to be a part of the commemoration. The Champion Heritage Foundation honored each descendant with a specially designed honorary Blue & Gray Medallion. Twenty-three states were represented in what can only be described as the second largest crowd in the history of Champion Hill’s battlefield. In 1890, a crowd of thousands gathered on the hill to commemorate the 27th Anniversary and hear the former Confederate general, Stephen D. Lee, speak.

The gates to the battlefield will open at 8:00 AM to give everyone a chance to visit the exhibits, vendors, and book signings. Bertram Davis will speak from Center Stage at 10:00 AM and will be available to sign books at the Vicksburg National Military Park tent afterwards.

Dinner on the grounds will take place immediately following the opening ceremony. Plan to enjoy a catfish or fried chicken lunch with trimmings prepared & served by the Lewis Family Singers. Catfish/chicken plate lunches will be $10.00 and a hot dog plate $5.00. The Lewis Family Gospel Singers and other groups will perform at Center Stage during the afternoon.

Also, beginning at 11:00 A.M. will be tractor-pulled wagon rides to historic sites around the battlefield. There will be three tours, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Tour guides will be Sid Champion V and Charlie Carlisle. Don’t miss this exciting chance to view portions of the battlefield otherwise not open to the public.