The award-winning Living History program “A Salute to Soldiers” returned to the Secret City Festival this year, and it once again features members of the Five Oh First Army Airborne re-enactors.
The “Salute to Soldiers” gives festivalgoers the opportunity to experience 1940s life in an interactive way. With opportunities to try on uniforms, sample food rations, and watch weapons demonstrations, the event allows attendees to truly immerse themselves in the every day experiences of front line life.
On Saturday, demonstrations will be given by re-enactors multiple times throughout the day.
Demonstration Schedule:
- 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.—Build a Paratrooper Demo
- 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.—30 Cal. Light Machine Gun Demo
- 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.—60MM Mortar Firing Demo
- 1:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.—Gun Track Firing Demo
- 1:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.—Anti-Tank Gun and Halftrack Firing Demo
The Secret City Festival’s “Salute to Soldiers—Life on the Front Lines of WWII” received a Silver Kaleidoscope Award for Best New Event in 2013 from the Southeast Festivals and Events Association. The SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards recognize the top festivals, events and individuals throughout the Southeast for their outstanding contribution to the event’s industry.
The 12th annual Secret City Festival is presented by the City of Oak Ridge, the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Arts Council of Oak Ridge. This year’s festival sponsors are the City of Oak Ridge and B&W Y-12.
The festival features World War II exhibits and memorabilia, special events at the American Museum of Science and Energy, a children’s area, arts and crafts vendors, nationally known concert entertainment, and the Living History exhibit, “Life on the Front Lines of WWII, A Soldier’s Life.”
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