Veterans Park will transform into military encampments when professional World War II reenactors return to Macomb next weekend.
On Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-11, Western Illinois University alumnus Adam Bednar will lead about 50 reenactors in authentic uniforms and equipment to portray soldiers from American, British, German, Russian, Finnish and Polish armed forces. The reenactors will camp out at the north side of Veterans Park in the wooded area around Friendship Trail. World War II, which began when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and ended in 1945 after Japan’s surrender, is considered the largest and deadliest conflict in human history. An estimated 60 to 80 million people died.
The event, which is open free to the public, runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Park, 1800 E. University Dr.
Visitors can interact with reenactors, view detailed encampments and watch weapons and uniform demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days.
In addition, Camp Ellis Displays, featuring a kids obstacle course and dummy grenade toss range, will be set up. The Lumpia Truck, Paddy’s Patties and Hillbilly Haven food trucks will be available Friday and Saturday. All ages are welcome, and school groups interested in attending Friday, Oct. 9 should contact the Macomb Park District in advance at (309) 833-4562.
“The event will also have an obstacle course akin to those at U.S. military training bases that we encourage the community to participate in,” said Macomb Park District Director Blake Severs. “The event will feature time-correct vehicles, obstacles and equipment used throughout the war.
We’re thrilled to welcome Adam and the reenactors back to our community for this weekend-long event.”
Bednar, a 2009 WIU history graduate, serves as executive board member and unit commander for the WWII Historical Re-enactment Society, Inc., a nonprofit with over 1,200 members dedicated to educating the public about World War II. The exhibit focuses on military life during the war — the day-to-day experiences and struggles soldiers faced — while offering perspective on reenactors’ political and cultural backgrounds: how and why did soldiers fight?
“It’s hard to comprehend how many millions of people were impacted by the Second World War,” Bednar said. “The reenactors that will be in Macomb for this three-day event have deep knowledge of how these nations’ residents experienced the worst conflict in human history.”
WIU’s History Department, in partnership with the Department of Military Science, teaches military history to future U.S. Army officers.
History Chair Tim Roberts said the living history exhibit offers visitors a fuller understanding of the conflict beyond the battlefield.
The weekend program is hosted by the Macomb Park District, and co-sponsored/ organized by the WIU Department of History, WIU Veterans Resource Center, Unforgettable Forgottonia (dba Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) and various reenactment groups.
