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LIBERTY!

 

Greetings.

 

For many years the entire nation has been riveted by discussions over the intent of the Constitution, the nature of the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, the vision of the Founders and the role of government. These are serious matters. They beg the questions "What is Liberty? Who fought for it? Who worked for it? Who sacrificed for it? Why did they do so? Who did they do it for? What were they like and how did they live?"

 We Make History is filling this educational void by using creative, inspirational, engaging, nonpolitical and highly interactive living history to present those who fought and sacrificed for liberty and actually brought about the birth of the United States of America. Our family-friendly living history team portrays the soldiers and civilians of both sides of the American Revolution and creates a multi-dimensional program that is exciting, inspirational, thought provoking and suitable for all ages!

Inspirational education is what We Make History is all about.

WE DESIRE TO INSPIRE!

This year we are again offering both Phoenix and Tucson Liberty Festivals!

PHOENIX - Our 16th American Liberty Festival is being planned for February 10th & 11th 2022. The location will be Schnepf Farms of Queen Creek, AZ. This creative, inspirational, nonpolitical event will be a multi-dimensional immersion experience for all ages into the era of the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers as together we experience the birth of the United States through military encampments and training (both American and British!), period music, historic fashion displays, medical presentations, civilian demonstrations as per circa 1776, children's games and activities, battle reenactments, training with wooden muskets, "Chocolate Revolution", the Colonial Garden and meeting famous Americans such as General George Washington. A video of highlights from a past Liberty Festival may be viewed here. Open exclusively to homeschoolers and pre-registered school groups from 9:00AM-12:30PM. Space is limited. Please email here for info and specify whether you are a school teacher or homeschooler. Please note that we do not offer refunds.

TUCSON - Our 17th American Liberty Festival is planned for April 8th, 2022. The location is Silverbell Park at Cortaro & Silverbell in Marana. This creative, inspirational, nonpolitical event will be a multi-dimensional immersion experience for all ages into the era of the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers as together we experience the birth of the United States through military encampments and training (both American and British!), period music, historic fashion displays, medical presentations, civilian demonstrations as per circa 1776, children's games and activities, battle reenactments, training with wooden muskets, "Chocolate Revolution", the Colonial Garden and meeting famous Americans such as General George Washington. A video of highlights from a past Liberty Festival may be viewed here. Open exclusively to homeschoolers and pre-registered school groups from 9:00AM-12:30PM. Space is limited. Please email here for info and specify whether you are a school teacher or homeschooler. Please note that we do not offer refunds.

Each Day: Enjoy, learn and be inspired by Battle Reenactments, Historic Fashion Displays, Medical Demos, 18th Century Music, Learning Military Drill, a Colonial Garden, "Chocolate Revolution", 1776 Regimental Cook, Historic Children's Activities, Arts & Crafts, Domestic Life and interacting with the soldiers and civilians of circa 1776! All activities are clean, positive, family-friendly and educational for all ages. We desire to inspire! Pop, Bottled Water, Betsy Ross Flags, pre-packaged snacks and souvenirs will be available for purchase on site. :o)

The American Liberty Festivals (Phoenix Liberty Festival and Tucson Liberty Festival) are Arizona's only educational living history events devoted wholly to the American Revolution and showcases Arizona's own Revolutionary War Reenactors!

The American Liberty Festival is proudly brought to Phoenix and Tucson annually by We Make History and our Revolutionary War Team - the same people who bring you the annual American Heritage Festival in Queen Creek.

A video of highlights from a past Liberty Festival may be viewed here.

Covid & Behavior Notice: Our understanding is that as of March 2021 the state has lifted all covid restrictions. The Liberty Festivals are outdoor events but please be aware and take personal responsibility. Bringing your own sanitizer is recommended. Please do not attend if you are ill, have cold or flu like symptoms or have recently been exposed to such. The Liberty Festival events are positive, family-friendly, nonpolitical educational events designed for students and families. Grace and respect toward all is required. If anyone were to behave or communicate in a manner regarded by the event as unsafe, hostile, threatening, harassing or disrespectful; such a person would be banned from the event without refund.

A Few Rules & Standards: We are sorry but we cannot allow outside food or beverages into the event. Please leave pets at home. No firearms or other weapons may be brought in by attendees. For the safety and security of all, other than our living history team, adults may not enter in costume or historical attire. No distribution of flyers or other materials is allowed. Please ask first and do not touch display items without permission. The Liberty Festival events are positive, family-friendly, nonpolitical educational events designed for students and families. Grace and respect from all and toward all is required. If anyone were to behave or communicate in a manner regarded by the event as unsafe, hostile, threatening, harassing or disrespectful; such a person would be banned from the event without refund. Persons attending a Liberty Festival do so at their own risk.

To Attend, Learn & Enjoy:

If you are a teacher needing more information for a school field trip, please contact us here and let us know the school you teach at and the grade level.

If you are a homeschooler needing more information please contact us here.

If you are interested in being trained to be a Revolutionary War reenactor - Email Us Here.

For all other inquiries please - Email Us Here.

The Phoenix and Tucson Liberty Festivals are "rain or shine" events.

Please note that we do not offer refunds.

**Please note that by attending the Phoenix or Tucson Liberty Festival, you voluntarily assume all risks, including risks related to exposure to Covid-19. Persons attending do so at their own risk.**

 

Please also see...

Revolutionary War Reenacting

George Washington's Army

The Royal Welch Fusiliers

The American Heritage Festival

We Make History

Thank you.

Your friends at

WE MAKE HISTORY

 

Among the many highlights...

 Famous Persons
Meet General George Washington, Lord Cornwallis and other characters from history!
 

 Soldiers of 1776
 On the American side - The Continental Line, Continental Marines and Patriot Militia.
 
 On the British side - British Regulars (redcoats), Grenadiers, Hessians and Loyalists.
 
Your students will enjoy interacting with these young men who portray the brave soldiers of diverse backgrounds who fought in the American Revolution.

Medical Revolution
What was it like being a doctor or nurse? What tools, instruments and methods were used?
This popular display gives students a look at 18th century medical practices and the opportunity to watch an "amputation."
 
 Revolutionary Ladies & Children
 Ladies and children experienced the American Revolution too!
 They were creative and hard working. Most grew their own food and made their own clothes. A few served in very dramatic ways! Students will enjoy learning from the courageous women and children of the 1770s and will participate in games, crafts and activities enjoyed by children of the time.
 
  
 Revolutionary Fashion & Music
 Live music and fashion presentations will highlight these interesting dimensions of life circa 1776.
  

 Colonial Garden
 What herbs, flowers and vegetables were grown by American families in 1776?
 

Chocolate Revolution & Revolutionary Cookery
 This exhibit features the fascinating roles of Chocolate and Cookery in Colonial America and our War for Independence.

School Activities for Young Patriots
How did children write in the 1700s and what games did they play? You will experience the answers hands-on and first-hand!
 
 
 Wooden Musket Drill
 Your students will get a taste of what it was like to be a new recruit!
  
 
 Battle Reenactments
 Watch the soldiers of the British and American armies clash in combat using the tactics of the era.
 

A Few Quotes from Persons Attending

I took my girls to the American Liberty Festival Revolution reenactment and I have to tell you that hearing George Washington speak was extremely moving. I totally fell into the experience and being able to ask him what he would think of what is going on now was like going to your father for advice. I almost cried when it was over - I truly wish we had a George Washington to lead us now- we need him more than ever. I can see how he had such a loyal following. I wish we had politicians that wanted to contribute to their country like he did, instead of seeing what they can get from it. :( Thank you for all the hard work that you do. We hope to go to more events in the future. Here's to many more years! :D  Meredith  Gilbert, AZ

I have taught for 29 years and have never seen students so enthusiastic about a field trip!
 Tom
 Marana, AZ

Dear General Washington and the staff of We Make History,
 Many thanks to you and all the wonderful volunteers who breathe life into the history of our country.
 I took my 5th grade class to your event in Tucson. We had the privilege of meeting you, General Washington!
 My class was impressed with the soldiers - the Brits, Hessians and the Patriots, and they loved listening to Molly Pitcher and Ben Franklin. Doing the laundry, colonial style, was quite an experience! The class thought the battles were realistic and gave them a true idea of what it must have been like to stand on a colonial battlefield. The medical tent and surgeons gave us a graphic description of what the wounded soldiers experienced! 
 Without all of the dedicated volunteers of We Make History, none of this would have been possible. We thank you for all your time, preparation and authenticity! 
 This is the 4th year I have brought my class to this amazing event. I will continue to come as long as I am teaching, and you are presenting this 'slice of history" to the children!
 Thank you to everyone. And a special thanks to General George Washington! You set the tone for the whole amazing day!
 All the best,
 Debbie
 Tucson, AZ

Dear We Make History & Phoenix Liberty Festival:
Thank you for putting on this AMAZING event. It was everything we were hoping for and MORE! My 11-year-old has been asking to see a battle reenactment for over a year and was thrilled to get to see TWO. They were so well done. Now we are looking forward to the American Heritage Festival in November!
We would definitely be interested in hearing more information about volunteer opportunities, please let us know the details on that!
I made a little video of our highlights from the event in case you would like to see. Thank you again and we look forward to attending the next event!
Sincerely,
Cheri D.
Cave Creek, AZ

We went to the Phoenix Liberty Festival last week. We Make History put on a great event! It was even better than I expected it to be! The historic clothing and characters were very authentic and the kids loved asking questions and learning from the reenactors. The battles were definitely a highlight. I'm a bit of a history nerd, but I learned a few things too. It was a totally immersive learning experience that the kids are still talking about days later!
Katherine
Peoria, AZ

Thank you for putting on such a fabulous event. The volunteers are amazing and I loved watching their interaction with the kids. We felt so blessed to have the opportunity to attend!
Loree
Cortaro, AZ

Thank you so much for an amazing experience at the Phoenix Liberty Festival. We all learned so much!
 Sally
 Surprise, AZ

My school attended the American Liberty Festival in Tucson, AZ and it was an amazing experience.  It was professionally run, organized, and the participants were very knowledgeable as they were able to answer many questions.  Our 5th graders were able take the learning that had been taking place during the quarter and apply it to the artifacts, displays, and re-enactments that were presented.  It was a perfect field trip to wrap up our unit and make our learning memorable.  When returning to school, our students created collaborative presentations in the form of a talk show using pictures they took on the field trip demonstrating their learning and experience.  Their excitement at the field trip and their final products were phenomenal.   I am so looking forward to attending this field trip next year.  Thank you!
 Monica B.
 Marana, AZ

Hello! I teach 5th grade in Tucson and have come to your Tucson Liberty event for the last four years! From meeting General Washington, to watching the battle re-enactments, it is a memorable day of learning.
 Thank you for bringing history to life!
 All the best,
 D.B.  Tucson, AZ

Our kids loved our visit!  Thank you so much for having something that the West side schools can participate in. I was very excited and grateful to see the Phoenix Liberty Festival - it really made for a fantastic trip that completely tied into so many 5th grade Standards, and more importantly, brought history to life for my kids. Thanks again!
Tina 
Glendale, AZ

Thanks for another great Phoenix Liberty Festival! We all had an amazing time. Some of our students tried to stump a few of the soldiers with some very tricky questions, but the soldiers were so knowledgeable they couldn’t be stumped! Great job to your entire team! We will certainly be back next year. 
 Carrie
 Cave Creek, AZ

Hi. I really enjoyed the battle and the chocolate tent. I learned that the English language won by one vote over German to be the official language of the United States. Thank you for making this happen.
Caden
Cortaro, AZ

Thank you for a great event! We had a memorable time at the Phoenix Liberty Festival. Our kids (& I) learned a lot from the different tents—food tent, medical tent, music, arms, etc. The battle reenactment was great as well. With so many hands-on activities, you brought the colonial era to life. Thanks so much! We are looking forward to future events.
Kristen
Phoenix, AZ

Thank you for allowing my class to participate in the Liberty Festival! It was our best field trip this year! 
 Jodi
 Tucson, AZ

 
Sir, This is just a quick note to thank you for the privilege of participating in the American Liberty Festival last weekend. It was a wonderful experience and all of your associates were a joy and a delight to get to know. I can't remember having worked with a better group of dedicated people! Again, thanks so much for allowing me to participate in the fun last weekend.
Best Always,
Grif
Kingman, AZ

Thank you for the fun event.  My kids had a great time and my 11 year old son is excited about one day participating in a battle.
We homeschool. This year and next year we are studying American History. We just happened to be in the middle of the Revolutionary War during your wonderful event. 
Thank you again for all the hard work and bringing history alive.
Monique
Flagstaff, AZ

 

Enjoy a Gallery of pics from past American Liberty Festivals below!