The sound of cannon fire and muskets will be echoing throughout the Vicksburg National Military Park during the summer, but park rangers need volunteers’ to bring the demonstrations to life.

The military park will be hosting an information session for people interested in participating in living history reenactments Saturday at 9 a.m. in the conference room of the maintenance building.

“We are bringing back our musket and cannon demonstrations throughout the summer,” park ranger Lela White said. “We will also be doing special regular living history programs with no cannon involved. We also are trying to recruit volunteers to staff the Shirley House so it will be open more frequently.”

The maintenance building can be reached by driving through the Memorial arch and then taking the first left down the service road. White said they will accept volunteers of all ages, but participants on the artillery lines or firing the black powder muskets must be at least 16 and some positions require participants to be at least 18.

The demonstrations will be held every weekend from June through August as well as an extended demonstration in the days leading up to July 4, the anniversary of the Siege of Vicksburg officially ending.

White said they are also looking for volunteers to do period demonstrations such as cooking, sewing or playing music, even if they are only available to come out once during the summer.

“Having these demonstrations allows visitors to experience what the daily life for both sides was as well as experience the fact that it was very similar for both sides,” White said.