HUNTINGTON BEACH
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Revolution
Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the start of the American Revolution!
​
7 & 8 March 2026
HUNTINGTON BEACH CENTRAL PARK
(Behind the Library)
​
​
On Gothard between Slater and Talbert​​​​
​
Camps open to the Public on Saturday and Sunday
Battle Times: Sat: 1PM & 4PM / Sun: 11AM & 2 PM
​
Always Free to the Public! ​
Schedules subject to change.
Living History
Southern California's Largest American Revolution Event​
​
7 & 8 March 2026 in Huntington Beach
​
The Huntington Beach Historical Society is proud to host this reenactment of the American Revolution in Huntington Beach Central Park, behind the library, on the site of our annual Civil War Days reenactment.
Come experience the founding of our nation with some of the country's finest living history presenters. We're here to tell stories, share new and unexpected perspectives, and to make history come alive in our community in a free, accessible, and inclusive way.
Event FAQs
Tickets & Entry - Entry to our event is always absolutely free. If you'd like to contribute to helping us bring history to life please consider donating to the HB Historical Society:
Parking - Public parking is available at the HB Central Library and paid parking is available at the HB Sports Center. Participants are also welcome to park in our reenactor parking lot at the NW corner of Ellis & Goldenwest St. - there will be a shuttle running between this lot and the event. Shuttle times vary.
​
Food - Food will be available at the HB Historical Society tent in the main Sutler Area. Hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, snacks, water and soft drinks, &c. Food is served until after the second battle each day.
​
Kids - This event is suitable for children of all ages. Pleased be advised there will be loud noises during our battle events.
​
Dogs - Due to the loud noise it is not recommended that you bring dogs to the event, however dogs are permitted in the HB Central Park.
​
How do I get involved? - if you'd like to volunteer with the HB Historical Society to support our event please email HBHistory@aol.com. If you'd like to get involved in living history and reenacting please scroll down to here.
​
Students - Students are encouraged to attend and ask questions - below is a sample activity sheet - teachers are welcome to use and distribute.
Schedule
of
Events
UPDATED -----
Subject to changes.
New programs on Native American Life, Politics, & History as well as Spain & France's pivotal role in American Independence.
Locations
✶Town Square ⚔ On Battlefield ✶✶✶ Washington's Headquarters
▲ British Camp ✠Spanish Camp ⚜ French Headquarters
ON SATURDAY
10AM - Raising of the Colours âš”
10:30AM – Artillery Demonstration âš”
10:45 AM - Sword Demonstration âš” -Fencing with Major Beaumont
11AM - How to Dress a Lady in the 18th Century â–²
11:15AM - The First Nations at War ✶ -Native Americans in the Revolution
11:30AM -The Manual of Arms âš”-Marching with the British Army
12PM – The Council of War ✶✶✶ - The Rebels Plan a Campaign
12:15PM - Spy for General Washington! ✶✶✶
Kids Activity with the Culper Spy Ring Begins
12:30PM -The Proclamation of Rebellion ✶ King George III's Response
1PM - FIRST BATTLE âš” - The Boston Campaign 1775
1:30PM - The Declaration of Independence with the Continental Congress
2PM - Soldados del Rey - Spain's Campaigns in North America âœ
2:30PM -Minuteman Drill Instruction ✶✶✶
Learn to march and fight like a Minuteman!
2:45PM - Sword Demonstration - The Master's Trial â–²
3PM - Amigos et frères - Spain & France in the Revolution âšœ
3:30 PM – His Majesty’s Generals ✶✶✶
General Howe & His Officers Plan to Supress the Rebellion
4PM - SECOND ENGAGEMENT âš” The Boston Campaign 1775
4:30PM - 18th Century Dancing ✶ with the New World Colonial Dancers
ON SUNDAY
9AM - Church Services (Open to Public) ✶
9:45AM - British Regimental Court Martial â–²
10AM - Amigos et frères - Spain & France in the Revolution âšœ
10:15 AM - How to Dress a Lady in the 18th Century â–²
10:30AM – The First Nations at War ✶ - Native Americans in the Revolution
11AM - FIRST BATTLEâš” - The Yorktown Campaign 1781
Featuring the Comte de Rochambeau & the French Army
11:30AM - Spy for General Washington! ✶✶✶
Kids Activity with the Culper Spy Ring
11:45AM - Gen. de Steuben's Drill Instruction ✶✶✶
Learn to march and fight like a Continental Soldier!
12PM – The Declaration of Independence with the Continental Congress
12:15PM - The Manual of Arms âš” Marching with the British Army
12:30PM - Soldados del Rey - Spain's Campaigns in North America âœ
12:45PM - Sword Demonstration âš” Fencing with Major Beaumont
1PM - The Council of War ✶✶✶ The Generals of the Continental Army
1:15PM - Artillery Demonstration âš”
1:30PM - 18th Century Dancing ✶ with the New World Colonial Dancers
2PM - SECOND BATTLE âš” - The Florida Campaign 1779 âš”
Featuring Don Bernardo de Galvez & the Spanish Army
A Revolution in Surf City?
California's American Revolution Connections -
​
Though we think of the American Revolution as being solely connected with the East Coast, the ensuing war was truly felt around the world. Even in California, then under the control of Spain, citizens were expected to contribute a 'donativo' and do what they could to support the war effort against Great Britain. To hear more about Alta California at the time of the Revolution - look for the Spanish flags at the headquarters of Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish Governor of Louisiana.
​
​
Our first Revolutionary War events began in the 1990s under the direction of the late Maureen Rivers, formerly of Lexington, Massachusetts, where the first shots of the American Revolution rang out in 1775. These HB living history events began around the same time as our famous Civil War Days events, and we are proud to continue on our long standing tradition of bringing history to life from many different perspectives.
Huntington Beach's Living History Tradition
Reenactor Updates
-
Setup begins on the morning of Friday, 6 March
-
Reenactor Swap Meet - 9AM Sat (Sutler Circle Picnic Tables) Please be prepared to remove vehicles by 9:45AM.
-
Camp Reservations - Units should coordinate with their respective chains of command. Individuals, civilians, and interested sutlers please email HBHistory@aol.com. ​
-
Absolutely no vehicle parking inside Central Park during the event. All vehicles must be in a designated parking lot or in our Reenactor Parking Lot. No overnight parking in Central Park.
-
Reenactor Parking Lot - ​ NW Corner of Ellis & Goldenwest
-
Contact
-
Event Director - Darrell Rivers, darrell.r.rivers@gmail.com
-
HB Historical Society - Kelly Rivers, kelyinc@aol.com
-
​Continental Army Commander - David Grace, captgrace@hotmail.com
-
Reenactor Liaison - Ryan Doezie, ryandoezie@sbcglobal.net
-
Crown Forces Commander - Jack Pritchard, captjackpritchard@gmail.com
-
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Reenactor Registration
Participants may register on the day of the event at the HBHS Registration Booth located here, or pre-register via the below options. Pre-registered reenactors may pick up their registration cards at the Registration Booth and will receive two raffle tickets for the Reenactor Raffle held on Sunday after the second battle.
​
All reenacting participants must register.
Please register only if you are currently a reenactor.
If you are interested in joining please see recruitment information below.
​
REGISTRATION BY MAIL
-
Mail the below signed release with the $5 fee to:
Rivers/HBHS
19651 Seawind Cir
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
-
Please make checks payable to 'HBHS'
ONLINE REGISTRATION
-
Scan the below release, sign, and email to HBCivilWarDays@gmail.com
-
Send $5 via Paypal.com to HBCivilWarDays@gmail.com or via Zelle to the Huntington Beach Historical Society at HBHistory@aol.com.
​
​
To Arms!
The Revolution hosts reenactors from all over the United States, each living historians with their own impressions of people whom lived in the 18th century. The vast majority of reenactors belong to individual units, portraying a particular historical group.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
​
Many of these units recruit members from the Southern California area - if you are interested in joining a reenacting unit please ask about joining a unit at the event or contact the email below.
​
For all inquiries please contact HBHistory@aol.com - your request will be forwarded through the appropriate channels. Please include your name, phone number, city, and your preference for the Continental Army (US), the British Army, the Spanish or French Armies, or something civilian.