Saturday, April 25, 2015

Battle Reenactments, Living History Displays, Period Vehicles and Ceremonies to Honor WWII Vets all Part of WWII Weekend at Graeme Park

On May 2-3 the grounds of Graeme Park will be transformed into a World War II arena as reenactors set up living history displays and camps representing the WWII European Theater and stage battles between American and German troops on the property. 







The large event tent will be transformed into a venue for U.S.O. style entertainment including The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show



(See a short clip of the classic "Who's on First" from Fun-n-Sun, Lakeland, FL, March 2012)

the West Chester SwingKings performing favorites from the 1940s, 



(See a clip of their performance of Jump, Jive and Wail at Twin Brook Winery)


swing dance lessons, and a concert of Patriotic music.



Additionally there will be weapons demonstrations, period vehicles (military and non-military) on display, 









a simulation air craft brought in by the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum



Allied and German camps, represented by the following reenactment groups:


Allied Units
35th Infantry Division Recon
45th Infantry Division
101st Airbourne 506th C E
5th Rangers
103rd Infantry Division
78th Infantry Division 309th Regiment
4th Infantry Division
88th Infantry Division
British Paratroopers
4th Armored Division
28th Infantry Division 109th Company L
30th Infantry Division MPs
1st Marine Division 5th Marines



German Units
45th Infanterie Division
352nd Pioneers
5th Fallschirmjagers





vendors, including:




Carl Koslo Productions
Charms
Classic Designs, Inc.
GI Kenny
The Knife Guy
Picacho Peak Collectibles
Susquehanna Trading Company




veterans’ non-profits, World War II veterans, and a luminary ceremony and gun salute to honor the vets. State Representatives Tom Murt and Todd Stephens will be speaking at these honor ceremonies, along with Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker and Horsham Township Council Members Mark McCouch, President, Deborah Tustin, Vice President, and Gregory Nesbitt, Member.




This program is being presented by the Friends of Graeme Park, with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Sponsors for the event include PECOEnergyVerizon, Black Horse Auto Body Shop, Babylon Business Campus, and ClassicPistol.

The cost is $12/day; $5/kids 13-17; free/veterans and kids 12 and under. A special household rate of $30/day is also available for two adults and accompanying children. Call 215-343-0965 for details. Directions are available on our website at www.graemepark.org 

SATURDAY, MAY 2

9:30 a.m. – Gates Open

Periodically throughout day – Tours of the Historic Keith House

9:30 - 4:00—Vendors & Displays—Visitors can tour Allied and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, meet and talk to WWII veterans, shop with vendors and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations and the services they offer.

10:00 a.m. – Flag Raising & Singing of the National Anthem—Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by Mimi Drummond

10:15 a.m. – Weapons DemonstrationMembers of the American and German reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks. 

11:00 a.m.  – Camp Tours—Guided golf cart tours through the camps for those with difficulty walking the property.

12:00 noon – Battle ReenactmentJoin us in the field behind the tent for a battle reenactment between American and German troops. Limited bleacher seating is first-come-first-served with some seats reserved for WWII Vets and handicapped/elderly.

12:45 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute ShowBill Riley and Joe Ziegler transform themselves into Bud Abbott and Lou Costello through vintage dress and an authentic recreation of the team’s mannerisms and vocal stylings. They perform many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines made famous by Bud and Lou on stage, screen, radio and television, including the classic baseball routine, “Who’s On First?”. 

1:30 p.m. – Swing Dance LessonsVince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, PA, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience.

2:15 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show 

2:45 p.m. – Honoring of VeteransState Representatives Tom Murt will speak briefly and honor the veterans and those for whom luminaries have been purchased by reading their names. Following the dedication and lighting of the luminaries, a gun salute will honor our veterans.

3:15 p.m. – Battle Reenactment

3:45 p.m. – USO Dance and Swing Concert featuring the West Chester Swing KingsNow that you know how to swing, put your feet in motion to the West Chester Swing Kings as they play hits from the 1940s through today, including favorites from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.


SUNDAY, MAY 3
9:30 a.m. – Gates Open

Periodically throughout day – Tours of the Historic Keith House

9:30 - 4:00—Vendors & Displays—Visitors can tour Allied and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, meet and talk to WWII veterans, shop with vendors and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations and the services they offer.

9:30 a.m. – Church Service Reenactment—Reenactors will participate in a period battlefield church service.

10:00 a.m. – Flag Raising & Singing of the National AnthemJoin us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by Mickey Goldhaber.

10:15 a.m. – Weapons DemonstrationMembers of the American and German reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks. 

11:00 a.m. – Camp Tours—Guided golf cart tours through the camps for those with difficulty walking the property.

11:00 a.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute ShowBill Riley and Joe Ziegler transform themselves into Bud Abbott and Lou Costello through vintage dress and an authentic recreation of the team’s mannerisms and vocal stylings. They perform many of the vaudeville and burlesque routines made famous by Bud and Lou on stage, screen, radio and television, including the classic baseball routine, “Who’s On First?”. 

11:30 a.m. – Live Patriotic MusicA spirited concert of patriotic and military favorites by Mickey and Stanley Goldhaber.

12:30 p.m. – Swing Dance LessonsVince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, PA, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience.

1:30 p.m. – Military Honor Guard—State Representative Todd Stephens, Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker and Horsham Township Council Members Mark McCouch, President, Deborah Tustin, Vice President, and Gregory Nesbitt, Member will speak briefly, followed by a Military Honor Guard ceremony.

2:00 p.m. – Battle Reenactment—Join us in the field behind the tent for a battle reenactment between American and German troops. Limited bleacher seating is first-come-first-served with some seats reserved for WWII Vets and handicapped/elderly.

2:45 p.m. – The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show













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