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 is held in October on the Cedar Creek battlefield along U.S. 11 south of Middletown. Re-enactors recreate the Battle of Berryville and the Battle of Cedar Creek. 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. Several thousand re-enactors 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 are on site. Admission is charged.
Information: (540) 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, holds an annual re-enactment of the Battle of New Market in May. 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 include re-enactments, and living-history events. About 2,000 to 3,000 re-enactors typically show up at the event. Admission is charged. (540) 740-3101. www.vmi.edu/newmarket