Seven De Soto High School drama students participated in a re-enactment of the Hatfield and McCoy family feud at the 2016 De Soto Days festival on Sept. 3.

Students participated in various skits and interacted with festival goers while in character. The reenactment promoted the DHS drama department.

Students prepared for the event by researching the Hatfields and the McCoys.

“I didn’t really know much about the Hatfields and the McCoys, so I had to look it up and read about it so I knew what I was doing,” junior Kennedy Forshey said. “I also practiced a southern accent because that’s how we talked.”

Junior Johnny Meehan enjoyed the acting opportunity.

“It was a really unique experience, because it was the first time anyone had done this at De Soto Days. Overall, it was really fun dressing up in character,” Meehan said.

Students got to take advantage of the events at the festival while in character.

“My favorite part was the square dancing. They had different performances throughout the day, and towards the end of the day there was a guy doing square dancing lessons so all of us decided to go and learn,” Meehan said.

The reenactment presented the challenge of talking to strangers as historical figures.

“It was difficult going up to people and talking to them in character. We would go up and tell them ‘not to talk to the Mccoy’s’ or something like that,” Forshey said.

The students also had to deal with uncomfortable temperatures.

“I was wearing long sleeves and pants and I was outside for 10 hours so it got pretty hot,” Meehan said.

Despite the difficulties, Forshey enjoyed forming new friendships while performing.

“I liked getting to spend time with everyone. Throughout the day I got to know everyone and it was awesome,” Forshey said.