Meramec Caverns Offers Discounts, Special Events for Franklin County Day

Meramec Caverns near Stanton will offer Franklin County residents special events and discounted admission rates during Franklin County Day Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

That day, Meramec Caverns will celebrate its Franklin County heritage with half-price admission on cave tours, Meramec River boat rides and the Caveman Zip Line adventure. Complimentary popcorn and soft drinks will be served.

This year’s activities focus on Civil War history. A Civil War campground featuring living history classes will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Civil War re-enactors will fire cannons and artillery on the hour from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Civil War-era food, including brisket, ham and beans, pea soup, corn bread and apple butter, apple cobbler and other items will be available for lunch in the campground pavilion from 11:30 a.m. through 1 p.m.

A special Ladies Tea, harkening back to the 1860s, will be served at 2 p.m. by women dressed in period costume. The servers will discuss the elaborate etiquette of formal teas of the Civil War time period. Complimentary tea, lemonade and cakes will be served.

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Jeremiah Slankard, will give the Gettysburg Address and will meet and greet guests throughout the day.

Live musical entertainment is scheduled on multiple stages. Performers will include the Buckhannon Brothers, aka Cousin Curtis and the Cash Rebates, who feature old-time fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass numbers; Native American flutist David Little Eagle and the hammered dulcimer-influenced sounds of Home Folks.

For details, directions and more, people should visit www.americascave.com or call 1-636-451-5400.