Most students come from the fourth and fifth grades, to create a living scene from their American history lessons. They come not only from Baltimore City Public Schools but also from the surrounding county public systems. Additionally, private, parochial and home schooled children attend and participate. Since school bus transportation is required for the children, entertainment is provided as approximately 90 yellow buses arrive throughout the morning. Entertainment is provided by local school groups performing synchronized drills, choral arrangements and dramatic presentations.
Professional entertainment ranges from a bagpiper and military bands to choral groups.
Historic characters, portrayed by actors and impersonators, interact with the students. Background information about each character is sent in advance to attending schools and the students learn important facts about each character. Many students prepare questions to discuss with a specific character. Both students and impersonators have found the experience very rewarding. Historic characters attending have included Francis Scott Key and his wife, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Pickersgill, Dolley Madison, Francis Bellamy, Harriet Tubman, Uncle Sam, Frederick Douglass and Mary Banneker.