With spring just on the horizon, our WWII committee is in high gear planning the 6th annual WWII Weekend at Graeme Park, in Horsham, PA. As in previous years, we'll have living history camp displays, battle reenactments and demonstrations, WWII veterans and honor ceremonies, swing dance lessons, a big band concert with the West Chester Swing Kings, and the comedic antics of the Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show. Look for more details in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here is the schedule we have tentatively planned.
Tentative Schedule - Subject to Change
SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH
Periodically throughout the day - Tours of the historic Keith House
9:30 AM - Gates Open
10:00 AM - Flag Raising and Singing of the National Anthem with Mimi Drummond
10:15 AM - Weapons and Equipment Demonstration
11:00 AM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
12:00 NOON - Battle Reenactment
1:00 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
2:00 PM - Rosie the Riveter (Mae Krier)
2:30 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
3:00 PM - Battle Reenactment
3:45 PM - Swing Dance Lessons
5:00 PM - USO Dance with the West Chester Swing Kings
SUNDAY, MAY 1ST
Periodically throughout the day - Tours of the historic Keith House
8:30 AM - WWII Field Church Service
9:30 AM - Gates Open
9:30 AM - WWII Field Church Service
10:00 AM - Flag Raising and Singing of the National Anthem with Mimi Drummond
10:15 AM - Weapons and Equipment Demonstration
11:00 AM - Rosie the Riveter (Mae Krier)
11:45 AM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
12:30 PM - Swing Dance Lessons
1:30 PM - Honor Guard with State Representatives Todd Stephens, Kate Harper, and Tom Murt, Twp. Mgr. Bill Walter, and Horsham Twp. Counsel Members; Honoring of Veterans and Lighting of Luminary Bags with Rep. Tom Murt
2:30 PM - Battle Reenactment
3:15 PM - The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show
4:00 PM - Close of Event
Showing posts with label WWII Reenactment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWII Reenactment. Show all posts
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Friday, April 24, 2015
A Big "Thank You" to our WWII Sponsors and Supporters
We're just about a week out from our big WWII Weekend, to be held on the grounds of Graeme Park on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. We'll have a separate post on all that is included in the weekend coming up soon, but we did want to take a moment to thank all those supporters who help to make the weekend possible.
Classic Pistol (www.classicpistol.com)
World War II Weekend Sponsor
PECO (www.peco.com)
Pearl Harbor Sponsor
Verizon (www.verizon.com)
Battle of the Bulge Sponsor
Black Horse Auto Body Shop (www.blackhorseautobody.com)
Iwo Jima Sponsors
Babylon Business Campus (www.babyloncampus.com)
Classic Pistol (www.classicpistol.com)
In addition to the above sponsors, the following businesses have supported us with advertising in the WWII Program:
CEMI Automotive
Joseph Doyle Machine Tool Sales Inc.
The following businesses have provided us with in-kind donations or discounts on products and services for the weekend:
Friday, May 16, 2014
World War II Weekend at Graeme Park
We have a little catching up to do as things get busier here during the spring. Before we start in on wedding season, I wanted to do a quick re-cap (with a TON of photos) of our World War II Weekend, held May 3-4th. While Graeme Park's historical significance and interpretation centers around Colonial America and the Revolutionary War, we've been presenting a World War II Weekend for the last several years - the fact is, Graeme Park, which historically included the Penrose-Strawbridge House and caretaker's cottage, has been inhabited pretty much since the Keith House was built in 1722, and Welsh Strawbridge, who owned the property from 1920 through his death in 1969, was required to register for the draft (at age 63 no less!).
We are also neighbors to the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, which was a small airfield started in 1926 by Harold Pitcairn and purchased by the Federal government after the start of WWII under the threat of eminent domain. It was fear that the government would exercise the same rights here at Graeme Park when they wanted to expand the base, that lead the Strawbridges to donate the 42-acre parcel containing the Keith House to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1968.
So now that we've covered a little bit of "why" we have a WWII Weekend, the real fun lies in the "who" and the "what".
First and foremost, we should start with a shout-out to our wonderful sponsors. Without them this would be a much less successful event for us as their support covered the cost of most of the entertainment and allowed us to keep admission prices reasonable.
World War II Weekend Sponsor
PECO (www.peco.com)
Musical Entertainment Sponsor
Black Horse Auto Body Shop (www.blackhorseautobody.com)
Iwo Jima Sponsor
Babylon Business Campus (www.babyloncampus.com)
Normandy Beach Sponsors
Classic Pistol (www.classicpistol.com)
County Line Fence (www.countylinefence.com)
Battle of Midway Sponsors
Hanson Mechanical Restorations (www.hansonmechanical.com)
Susquehanna Bank (www.susquehanna.net)
Other Supporters
McDonalds, Hatboro/Horsham
Our next round of appreciation goes to the volunteers who served on the organizing committee, figuring out the logistics of the battle, contracting the reenactors, soliciting the sponsors and advertisers, and thinking of every detail to make the weekend run smoothly;
the volunteers who showed up with a can-do attitude the day of the event to pitch in and do what they were assigned - whether they were selling hot dog tickets, parking cars, giving tours of the Keith House, or greeting visitors, they did so with a smile;
the World War II veterans who made themselves available to speak with visitors about their experiences and with whom it was an honor and a privilege to spend the weekend;
and lastly, the various reenactors and reenactment units who staged the battle, and set up wonderful displays of period collections, tents and vehicles, dressed in period uniforms, suits and dresses, and participated in the swing dance lessons, their attention to detail gave everything an authentic feel.
In addition to a battle reenactment both days (the Germans won on Saturday, the Americans on Sunday),
we had performances by the Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show throughout the weekend;
a big band concert on Saturday and some patriotic music on Sunday; swing dance lessons;
weapons demonstrations; tours of the historic Keith House; displays of period cars,
an honoring of veterans (those present and those passed on, represented by luminaries) by Representatives Tom Murt and Todd Stephens, and vendors selling military items.
We're planning to do it all over again next year, so make sure to mark your calendars for May 2-3, 2015. There truly is something for everyone.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
2014 WWII Weekend at Graeme Park
Even though spring seems far away and it feels like we may never see the grass again, our committee has been hard at work planning the 2014 WWII Weekend at Graeme Park, which will take place on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. Once again, we have a ton of great entertainment, interesting period displays, and of course the battle reenactment in store for you.
Reenactors representing troops from America, Germany, Great Britain and Poland are all on board again this year so you can see the differences in camp set-ups, equipment, vehicles, and battle tactics. WWII veterans will be on hand so we can honor them during a special ceremony and many have stories, books, photos, and displays to share. We're also adding the Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show this year and bringing back the Society Music Makers for a swing band concert. Please review the schedule for an action packed weekend and plan to spend the day (or the whole weekend) with us.
Saturday, May 3
Vendors & Displays - 10:00 - 4:00
Flag Raising & National Anthem - 10:30
Tours of Keith House & Kitchen: every 30 minutes between 11:00 and 2:00
Weapons Demonstration - 11:30
Abbott & Costello Show - 12:15, 2:00, 4:45
Swing Dance Demo & Lesson - 1:15
Battle Reenactment - 3:00
Honoring of Veterans - 4:15
Swing Concert & Dance with the Society Music Makers - 5:30
Sunday, May 4
Vendors & Displays - 10:00 - 3:00
Flag Raising & National Anthem - 10:30
Tours of Keith House & Kitchen: 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 2:00, 2:30
Weapons Demonstration - 11:00
Live Patriotic Music - 11:45
Abbott & Costello Show - 12:30, 4:15
Battle Reenactment - 1:30
Honoring of Veterans - 2:45
Swing Dance Demo & Lesson - 3:30
Saturday, April 13, 2013
WWII Weekend Participants and a Few Small Schedule Changes
With the World War II Weekend upon us (it is next weekend, April 20-21/raindate 4/27-28) things have been pretty busy here on the organizing end. Our team, lead by Beth MacCausland and Marie Cherry, has put together a weekend stuffed full of things to see and do. We published the schedule back in February and things have remained more or less the same with just a few small changes: the flag raising ceremony on both days will be at 10:30 instead of right when we open at 10, and on Sunday, the U.S. Army Band was not able to make it, so in their time slot at 1:30 we'll be featuring Mickey and Stanley Goldfarber, who will be serenading you with favorite Patriotic and military tunes.
Central to the event are of course the reenactment units and historians. These guys (and some gals) have made a hobby out of collecting period uniforms and other militaria, as well as background information on the period and their units, so they can dress and act the part of WWII soldiers, sailors, other military personnel and 1940s civilians. You'll see men in American and German uniforms with appropriate camp set-ups, vehicles, and other accoutrements, and portrayals of British and Russians too. Some of these guys will fight in a mock-battle, including bringing in a tank, and others will be doing living history demonstrations of camp life and setting up a military hospital.
So far we've confirmed the following units will be participating, and there may be more:
WWII Reenactment Units—Americans
35th Infantry Division Recon (host unit)
1st Infantry Division
4th Armored Division
5th Rangers
9th Infantry WWII Historical Preservation Society
101st Airborne E. Company
103rd Infantry Division
Red Ball Express
110th Medical Battalion
517th PRCT
WWII Reenactment Units—Germans
5th S.S.
9th S.S.
35th Infantry Division
45th Infanterie Division
WWII Reenactment Units—Others
British Paratroopers
135th Rifles Regiment
193rd Red Army Rifle Division
In addition to the reenactment going on, there will be tons of displays and other interactive activities:
Aces Museum, located in Philadelphia, houses the restored Parker Hall, which was a functional USO for Black Soldiers and their Families in the 1940s. They get their name from the “Spades” of the era, but honor all Veterans. They are a Veterans' Service Organization and site of the National Associate of Black Veterans, Philadelphia (NABVET). They'll be putting on a puppet show and letting people know about the work they do.
Other Veterans' organizations that will be on hand include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with information on health care and other benefits for vets, Honor Flight, who provide free tours to veterans to visit and reflect at their memorials in Washington, DC, and the Liberty USO of Pennsyvlania and Southern New Jersey, who provide comfort, care and support to the troops and their families.
John Alosi, Jr. author of War Birds: A History of the 282nd Signal Pigeon Company will be on hand to sell and sign his books and will have a period pigeon trailer, complete with pigeons, for visitors to see as they learn about the role carrier pigeons played in WWII. The Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum will also have an interactive display, in the form of partial WWII-era plane that visitors can tour. The ladies from Historical Military Impressions will be running a recruitment stand, and pin-up models will be greeting visitors and circulating in the crowd. We'll also have various car collectors and enthusiasts with their 1940s era military and civilian vehicles.
The musical entertainment we have lined up includes the Society Music Makers on Saturday playing swing favorites from the 1940s, and Mickey and Stanley Goldfarber on Sunday with Patrotic and military songs. Before Saturday's swing concert, Vince Masciarelli, a dance instructor from Glenside, will be showing you the moves to get you out on the dance floor. Both days will begin with a flag raising and singing of the National Anthem by Jenny Pappas.
If you're coming, the event runs from 10-5 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday. The cost for adults is $10/day or $15 for the weekend. The cost for teens 13-17 and seniors 65+ is $5/day and the event is free for children 12 and under, veterans and current service personnel.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
World War II Weekend - 2013
While the promise of spring may still seem to be in the distant future, our committee has been hard at work for months now planning the World War II Weekend to be held on the grounds of Graeme Park and the Penrose-Strawbridge House on April 20-21 (raindate April 27-28). In addition to organizing the various vendors, non-profits, WWII veterans, and reenactment groups, some of whom will be traveling from neighboring states to spend the weekend camping on the grounds and sharing their history and displays with our visitors, we've finalized our preliminary schedule and have an action packed weekend planned. Please note that times are approximate and subject to change but this should give you a general idea of what we're offering and when.
Displays Open - 10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.
Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 10:30, 11:00 am, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.
Weapons Demonstration - 11:30 am - 12:00 noon - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.
Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means.
Battle Reenactment - 12:30 - 1:30 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 1:00 pm - a great time to grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 1:00.
Luminaries & Gun Salute - 1:45 pm - State RepresentativesTom Murt and Todd Stephens will speak briefly and honor the veterans 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.
Swing Dance Lesson and Demonstration - 2:00 - 2:45 pm - Get out your dance shoes and get ready to swing. Vince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, Pennsylvania, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience and demonstrating some fancier footsteps with his partner.
USO Dance/Swing Band Concert - 3:00 - 4:45 pm - Now that you know how to swing, put your feet in motion to the Society Music Makers as they play hits from the 1940s through today, including favorites from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and more.
Displays Open - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.
Weapons Demonstration - 11:00 - 11:30 am - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.
Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 11:00, 11:30 am, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.
Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means. .
Battle Reenactment - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 12:30 pm - a great time to enjoy the flag folding demonstration, grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 12:30.
Dedication of Monument by the Honor Guard and Gun Salute - 1:15 pm - We'll be placing a new monument out by the flag pole dedicated to our military vets past and present with a presentation by the honor guard and a gun salute.
US Army Band - 1:30 - 2:30 pm - Join us in the event tent for a spirited concert by the US Army Band, featuring patriotic tunes and favorites from the 1940s. Break out your dance shoes if you wish, or just tap your toe and hum along.
The general admission cost is $10/day ($15/both days); $5/seniors 65+; free/veterans & kids 12 and under. A special household admission price for two adults and accompanying children is also available for $25/day or $40/weekend.
WWII Schedule - Saturday, April 20
Flag Raising Ceremony & National Anthem - 10:00 am - Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by a professional singer.Displays Open - 10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.
Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 10:30, 11:00 am, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.
Weapons Demonstration - 11:30 am - 12:00 noon - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.
Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means.
Battle Reenactment - 12:30 - 1:30 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 1:00 pm - a great time to grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 1:00.
Luminaries & Gun Salute - 1:45 pm - State RepresentativesTom Murt and Todd Stephens will speak briefly and honor the veterans 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.
Swing Dance Lesson and Demonstration - 2:00 - 2:45 pm - Get out your dance shoes and get ready to swing. Vince Masciarelli, a professional dance instructor from Glenside, Pennsylvania, will be teaching some basic dance moves to the audience and demonstrating some fancier footsteps with his partner.
USO Dance/Swing Band Concert - 3:00 - 4:45 pm - Now that you know how to swing, put your feet in motion to the Society Music Makers as they play hits from the 1940s through today, including favorites from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and more.
WWII Schedule – Sunday, April 21
Flag Raising Ceremony & National Anthem - 10:00 am - Join us at the flag pole for the raising of the American flag and singing of the National Anthem, led by a professional singer.Displays Open - 10:00 am – 3:00 pm - Visitors can tour American and German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicle displays, see a WWII pigeon trailer and learn about the role pigeons played during wartime, step inside the Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Museum's airplane simulation cockpit, meet author John Alosi, Jr. who will be signing his book War Birds, meet and talk to WWII veterans, including a member of the Tuskegee Airman, shop with various vendors selling WWII era military equipment, t-shirts, and reproduction PX items, and learn about various non-profit veterans organizations, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and Honor Flight, and the services they offer.
Weapons Demonstration - 11:00 - 11:30 am - Members of the reenactment groups will demonstrate how their WWII weapons work and fire off a few blanks.
Tours of the Keith House and Summer Kitchen - 11:00, 11:30 am, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 pm - The Keith House, the 18th-century mansion at the core of Graeme Park, is a National Historic Landmark and the reason we do what we do. The Keith House was built c. 1722 for Sir William Keith, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and showcases well preserved, and largely untouched, architectural features and an interesting cast of former inhabitants. Brief tours will take visitors through the first two floors and touch on the lives of Keith, Dr. and Mrs. Graeme, and their daughter, the writer Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson. Elizabeth occupied Graeme Park during a different war, the Revolution, and its impact greatly altered the course of her life.
Flag Folding Demonstration - 12:00 noon - Learn about how and why the flag is folded for ceremonial and presentation purposes and what each fold means. .
Battle Reenactment - 12:00 - 1:00 pm - The first half hour or so of the battle is warm-up and staging for the reenactors and while visitors may be able to hear the gunfire, viewing will not be optimal until about 12:30 pm - a great time to enjoy the flag folding demonstration, grab a quick lunch, use the facilities and make your way up to the Penrose-Strawbridge House (our "French village" for the day) for when the real battle action begins at 12:30.
Dedication of Monument by the Honor Guard and Gun Salute - 1:15 pm - We'll be placing a new monument out by the flag pole dedicated to our military vets past and present with a presentation by the honor guard and a gun salute.
US Army Band - 1:30 - 2:30 pm - Join us in the event tent for a spirited concert by the US Army Band, featuring patriotic tunes and favorites from the 1940s. Break out your dance shoes if you wish, or just tap your toe and hum along.
The general admission cost is $10/day ($15/both days); $5/seniors 65+; free/veterans & kids 12 and under. A special household admission price for two adults and accompanying children is also available for $25/day or $40/weekend.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
World War II Weekend at Graeme Park
Update: For information on the 2013 WWII Weekend, please see our updated post, here.
On May 5 and 6 the grounds of Graeme Park and the adjacent Penrose-Strawbridge House will play host to a World War II encampment and battle reenactment. Reenactors representing American and German troops will set up camps, including restored period trucks, tanks, and other vehicles, and will be in authentic uniforms throughout the weekend.
10—Troop Inspections
11:40—Welcome from Senator Stewart Greenleaf
11:50—Welcome from Representative Todd Stephens
12-1—Battle Reenactment
1:30—2—Fubar Boys (USO-Style Music)
2—3—Society Music Makers (Big Band Concert)
3:30—4—Military Demo
May 6 - 10:00—2:00 pm
Ongoing—Vendors, House Tours, Tour Camps
12—Speakers/War Stories
If it rains on Saturday, all activities will be held on Sunday. Admission cost is $10 for Saturday and $6 for Sunday. There is no charge for WWII vets. Please note the activities and camps are spread out around the property and will require some walking to see it all. Grounds are relatively flat, with a slight incline to access the battle viewing area. The terrain is mostly grass, with a gravel drive to the battle area and three flights of stairs to tour the Keith House.
On May 5 and 6 the grounds of Graeme Park and the adjacent Penrose-Strawbridge House will play host to a World War II encampment and battle reenactment. Reenactors representing American and German troops will set up camps, including restored period trucks, tanks, and other vehicles, and will be in authentic uniforms throughout the weekend.
On Saturday a battle reenactment will be staged using the stone outbuildings around the Penrose-Strawbridge House to represent a French village.
As of this writing, we have reenactors from the 110th medical battalion, who will have a medical tent set up, the 3rd and 9th infantries, the 4th armored division, the 9th S.S. and the 142nd Gebirgs signed up. When the battle isn't taking place, visitors will be able to tour the camps, see the vehicles on display, take a tour of the historic Keith House, shop the sutler's booths, or grab some lunch. After the battle there will be musical entertainment from the Fubar Boys and a big band concert (band to be determined) in the tent at Graeme Park. A brief military drill will cap off the day on Saturday. Sunday will be a bit less intense in terms of the fighting, but visitors can tour the camps, view the vehicles, tour the Keith House, hear a speaker or two and shop with the vendors.
The Schedule:
May 5 - 10:00 am—4:00 pm
Ongoing—Vendors, House Tours, Tour Camps10—Troop Inspections
11:40—Welcome from Senator Stewart Greenleaf
11:50—Welcome from Representative Todd Stephens
12-1—Battle Reenactment
1:30—2—Fubar Boys (USO-Style Music)
2—3—Society Music Makers (Big Band Concert)
3:30—4—Military Demo
May 6 - 10:00—2:00 pm
Ongoing—Vendors, House Tours, Tour Camps
12—Speakers/War Stories
If it rains on Saturday, all activities will be held on Sunday. Admission cost is $10 for Saturday and $6 for Sunday. There is no charge for WWII vets. Please note the activities and camps are spread out around the property and will require some walking to see it all. Grounds are relatively flat, with a slight incline to access the battle viewing area. The terrain is mostly grass, with a gravel drive to the battle area and three flights of stairs to tour the Keith House.
Vendors and reenacting units who are interested in participating can contact Graeme Park at ra-graemepark@state.pa.us and we'll send you the information to sign up.
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