Oak Ridge Today

Secret City Festival ‘Salute to Soldiers’ returns, see Saturday schedule

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival features something for everyone

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Secret City Festival Crowd June 2012

A large crowd waits to hear music during the June 2012 festival.

 

Make plans to attend the 12th Annual Secret City Festival on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, in historic Oak Ridge. Join more than 20,000 visitors and residents to celebrate the end of World War II and the heritage of Oak Ridge from 1945 to the present.

Here’s an overview of some of the many activities and events taking place at this year’s festival: [Read more…]

Parks director explains change from WWII re-enactments to ‘living history’ at Secret City Festival

Posted at
By 17 Comments

World War II Re-enactment at Secret City Festival

The Secret City Festival has previously included one of the largest World War II re-enactments in the South, pictured above, but organizers changed this year to a “Salute to Soldiers” program. (Archive photo)

It had been one of the largest World War II re-enactments in the South, featuring close to 200 people in a dozen 1940s-era vehicles at the annual Secret City Festival.

An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 spectators watched the two mock battles at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge each year as British and American forces fought and defeated German military personnel.

But this year, the two-day festival did not include the re-enactments. They were replaced by a new “Salute to Soldiers” program that featured World War II living history activities and demonstrations. That program included period military camps, vehicles, equipment, and demonstrations, as well as educational displays. [Read more…]

Secret City Festival has World War II living history exhibit

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted

The Secret City Festival is introducing a new “Salute to Soldiers” program featuring World War II living history activities and demonstrations at A.K. Bissell Park on Saturday, June 22.

“Come out and salute our WWII veterans and enjoy an entire day of living history activities and exhibits provided by Five Oh First Group,” a press release said. [Read more…]