If the Civil War museums and other historic sites don't give you a good enough picture of what the war between the states was like, then two annual events in the Northern Shenandoah Valley surely will.

• The 18th annual Cedar Creek Re-enactment and Living History Weekend will be held Oct. 18 and 19 on the Cedar Creek battlefield along U.S. 11 south of Middletown. Re-enactors will recreate the Battle of Berryville on Saturday and the Battle of Cedar Creek on Sunday. The Cedar Creek battle took place on Oct. 19, 1864 and was the last battle of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The Battle of Berryville occurred a month earlier on Sept. 4. Some 5,000 re-enactors will set up camp for the weekend festivities. In addition to the battle re-enactments, activities are scheduled all day long including artillery, cavalry and medical practices demonstrations and drill instructions for children. Spectators can visit living-history military camps and enjoy Civil War concerts and special speakers. Food vendors and about 50 period merchants will be on site.
Adult tickets are $20 for a two-day pass and $10 for a one-day pass. Students, active military and members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation pay $10 for a two-day pass and $7 for a one-day pass. Children under age 5 and Cedar Creek Brigade members are free. Parking is free. 869-2064. www.cedarcreekbattlefield.org
• The New Market Battlefield State Historical Park at 8895 George Collins Parkway in New Market, off Interstate 81 at Exit 264, will celebrate the 145th anniversary of the Battle of New Market on May 15-17, 2009, with its annual re-enactment on the original battlefield. The re-enactment of the Battle of New Market is the oldest battle re-enactment in the nation. The Battle of New Market took place on May 15, 1864. Boy soldiers from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington helped the Confederate army win. Ten of the boy soldiers died or were mortally wounded. The weekend festivities will include re-enactments, living-history events and a concert by the Stonewall Brigade Band. About 2,000 to 3,000 re-enactors are anticipated for the event. Because of the anniversary year, activities will likely be held on Friday as well. Admission is charged. 740-3101. www.vmi.edu/newmarket