Council is expected to vote on the amended ordinance next month after the draft has been published. The amendment, drafted by Chris Houston, a Carlisle lawyer and re-enactor organizing the event for the 250th committee, would make an exception to the gun ban for antique firearms used for activities approved by the Carlisle police chief and Parks and Recreation director. And firing the weapons would be allowed following inspections of the firearms and only during activities abiding by safety regulations established by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Live rounds would continue to be banned. The weekend encampment and battle will begin with the appearance in Carlisle of Ralph Archibold, a Benjamin Franklin re-enactor, who will portray the famous founding father's trip to Carlisle to speak with Indians.
Admission is free.
An offering to benefit a local charity will be collected. Cast members Alan Rishel, Jenni Aungst and Judy and Scott A. Small, who also directs the production, use minimalist props and costumes to bring Biblical figures to life by setting them in modern times and giving them mannerisms and accents of recognizable characters. Pilate is portrayed as an army general, the Gentile woman as a waitress and Herod as a Mafioso. Drama is a regular feature of Second Presbyterian's Sunday evening Night Light contemporary worship service, which began about 18 months ago. The program started after a group of people interested in contemporary worship investigated what others churches have done with this format.