A Punch and Judy puppet show was one of the historical entertainments at Battle Days.

The past came to life in Point Pleasant during the annual Battle Days event, which was held this year on October 2 – 4 at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. Commemorating the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant, the event features living history depictions of life during the colonial period, as well as presentations by reenactors portraying historical figures such as Chief Cornstalk, Ann Bailey, Pucksinwah, George Washington, and Lord Dunmore.

Children could learn how to play colonial era games, as well as watch a Punch and Judy puppet show. This traditional British performance art dates back to the 17th Century, and has its origins in Italian commedia dell’arte. The two main characters, Punch and Judy, are husband and wife, and performances feature outrageous plots and slapstick humor.

A new event at this year’s Battle Days was a miniature recreation of the Battle of Point Pleasant hosted by Gamers of Ashland, Kentucky. Jeffery Cavender taught visitors about the battle through demonstrations of miniature wargaming. Game pieces – each representing 20 men – were arranged on a large wargame layout which depicted the Tu-Endie-Wei area in autumn. Anyone could pick up the dice and play a turn or two.

Other Battle Days events included a 5K run, a lantern tour, a parade down Main Street, a colonial-style ball, a church service, and memorial service.

Considered by many historians to be the first battle of the American Revolution, the Battle of Point Pleasant was fought on October 10, 1774, at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. The combatants were Virginia militiamen under Colonel Andrew Lewis and Shawnee and Mingo warriors under Chief Cornstalk. The battle ended when the Shawnee forces withdrew across the Ohio River.