The Vicksburg National Military Park will host Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the U.S.S. Cairo Museum as part of a celebration of the 2009 National Park Week, which kicked off Sunday and will run through Saturday.

The Junior Ranger program encourages children to explore, protect and learn about America’s National Parks.

Activities will include ranger talks, hands-on activities, military drills for the kids, USS Cairo tours and Living History weapons demonstrations.

The event is aimed at children age 7 and older.

The entry fee is $8 per vehicle and is free for those who have a National Park pass or a yearly membership pass.

Light refreshments will be served and guests may bring lunch into the park.

The event’s schedule is as follows:

* 10 a.m. — drill and musket firing demonstration

* 10:30 a.m. — Civil War music demonstration

* 11 a.m. — drill and musket firing demonstration

* 11:30 a.m. — law enforcement ranger talk by Rangers Patty Montague and Amanda Baker

* 12 p.m. — Civil War uniforms and accoutrements talk by Ranger Ray Hamel

* 12:30 p.m. — law enforcement ranger talk by Rangers Patty Montague and Amanda Baker

* 1 p.m.  — interpretive talk by Ranger Beth Roberts-Hamel

* 1:30 p.m. —  drill and musket firing demonstration

* 2 p.m. — Civil War music demonstration

* 2:30 p.m. — drill and musket firing demonstration

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchanprasith@vicksburgpost.com