"We don't want to take it out of the city limits," Kuhn said. "The reenactment is good for businesses."
Crab Orchard supports the event with donations and ads sold for a booklet. The city needs a large site to accommodate the reenacted battle, campers and parking.
The increasingly popular event attracts reenactors and tourists from Kentucky and other states, such as Ohio, Indiana and Virginia.
Last year, the event drew 150 reenactors and 200 spectators. This year an estimated 300 to 400 reenactors were expected, Kuhn said.
Kuhn said that Crab Orchard hopes to get added to Kentucky's Civil War Heritage Trail.
Crab Orchard has benefited from the growing popularity of Civil War reenactments, as the 150th anniversary of the conflict is approaching.
"They're getting more popular every year," Kuhn said.
Both Union and Confederate forces occupied Crab Orchard at various times during the Civil War (1861-1865).
The opposing sides fought three skirmishes, maintained several camps and the Union had a railroad depot, she said. Crab Orchard's reenactment grew out of the city's July 4th homecoming. The city expects to have 5,000 to 6,000 people on hand for the 34th annual event this summer.
For more information, call Kuhn at (606) 355-2319 or e-mail threemonkies@hotmail.com.
