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.
Some residents and spectators have asked why the change was made.
On Saturday, Josh Collins, director of the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, said there were several reasons. They included coordination issues with the re-enactors, safety issues, and a desire to try something new. Collins declined to elaborate on the coordination issues or respond to various explanations circulating in the community.
“We decided to take a different approach,” he said.
He said there had been a safety issue when someone stepped into a hole dug for explosives in a previous re-enactment.
Some residents have reacted with frustration and disappointment, including in online comments, to the decision to drop the re-enactments this year. But Collins said there are others who have said the re-enactments were the “same old battle over and over.”
The “Salute to Soldiers” this year included a “Build a Paratrooper” demonstration, a USO concert by Bombshells United, and firing and movement demonstrations with a 30-caliber light machine gun, 60-millimeter mortar, and anti-tank gun and halftrack. The new program might be described as including less “flash and bang” but could be considered more educational.
“It’s a little something different,” Collins said.
He said the new program might not attract as many spectators, but he didn’t rule out returning to the re-enactments later.
Collins said the festival featured other changes this year, including expanded areas for children and the Oak Ridge Fire Department, and new security measures for the festival’s concerts that were designed to control lines and the items being brought into the concert area.
The festival no longer features antiques either, Collins said.
It’s all part of keeping the festival fresh, he said.
“We’re trying to do things that the public has suggested,” he said.
Sam Hopwood says
The city took the most popular attraction at the festival and castrated it. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” comes to mind.
nornan moore says
Bring it back next year please
Daniel Powers says
I have family members the drove over a hundred miles to be here. They have been to the past 4 or 5 festivals. They said they will not be back next year unless the Re enactment is brought back. Myself, I may not go either.
jack c says
Thanks to the City and Recreation Deparment for canceling the reenactment. It is wrong to glorify war to little children and lead them to believe that it is just fun and real bodies of family members, neighbors and friends aren’t being blown to pieces and suggest that thousands are not often killed. Later, it carries over to 16 year olds who think they can validate their lives by rushing into battle. I’ve been in the service. Few who have ever been in a war, that is not absolutely essential, ever want to be in another one. Most return home worse than when they entered – mentally and/or physically.
Rod K. says
Jack,
I, too, have served in the military. For over 27 years to be exact. I’ve been to the hospital here and Germany and have seen first hand the horrors of the current wars being waged by the U.S. Government. War is horrible, however, you can’t just ignore the history of our country. Why not remember the glory days of the United States when we REALLY wanted to make the world a better place and fought beside our allies to keep Europe from being overrun by a madman and his minions? Why not show our children that brave men do fight to right wrongs and why not honor the Greatest Generation? The United States used to be a great country and if we are to return to that status again, we have to get back to the morality and the bravery that is exemplified by our servicemen and women serving selflessly and standing up for what is right in the world. We have to show the current generation how the freedoms we have were fought for and tell them and show them that men and women died for those freedoms. They are just something that CITIZENS of the United States have. Sacrifices are made and I don’t think that is emphasized enough in our world today. Let the reenactment return!!
-Retired Air Force Veteran-
Steve Dittner says
I didn’t go for the first time in many years because of the reenactment cancellation. Won’t go next year if it’s not back
Terry Logan says
My reenacting group was told the battle was cancelled because the committee sponsoring the event felt like it “glorified war”. There was no mention of either coordination issues or safety issues prior to the event so it appears to me that the unpopularity of that decision is being laid at the feet of the reenactors, all of whom are volunteers and provide their own uniforms, supplies, equipment, travel expenses, and meals to participate. To try to blame the reenactors for cancellation of the battle merely adds insult to injury. Call it like it is. It was a decision by the planning committee for the event and had nothing to do with coordination or safety.
As a long-time reenactor and Army veteran, I can say that a lot of effort goes into historical accuracy to portray soldiers on both sides as they were. They were people, with families, bills to pay, jobs to do, and all of the same concerns everyone else has, even today. They endured unspeakable hardships, deprivation, and horrors on behalf of their respective countries. The technology exists to simulate many of those horrors with graphic and detailed accuracy in our reenactments but the goal is to educate, not to horrify. There are no combat veterans who have any desire to “glorify” war. We also are not there to recruit for the military. In fact, many teenaged reenactors get enough of a taste of military field duty that they decide it is not for them.
Under the Constitution, the military is controlled by the civilian government. The President is the Commander in Chief and declarations of war must be made by Congress. The decision to go to war should never be taken lightly nor should we ever rush into any military action without careful consideration. However, these decisions are made by the President and Congress, not by the military.
Mike Mahathy says
I do agree with Terry. Do not blame whatever issue(s) might have been at the root on the participants.
Larry Barber says
I agree with Terry. I am one of the reenactors and have participated in the Secret City event every year since 2004. I have the Signals display for the 101 ABN unit. Please tell me how displaying radios and field phone switchboards, glorify war?
There was NO coordination or safety concerns conveyed to those of us who participate. I’ve never met Mr Collins and doubt he has ever come down to say hello or ask any questions. BTW – I am retired US Army Signal Corp with 21 years service and drive from just south of Baltimore, 550 miles one way, EVERY YEAR!
Larry Barber
SFC, US Army (Ret)
Reenactor – 501st Group/101 AB
Ben Stephens says
There is no glory in war! If it happens then the goal is to win it quick to minimize the dead and injuried. If you want to enact the war fine then include the gore and horror! No sane individual wants to ever be in a war period. I retired after 25 years in the military, we do our duty to fight as required by our national leaders, civilian & military. The real honor should always be to those who gave their lives for this country! Anything less is an insult to their memory.
Carol Donath says
I enjoyed walking around to the various encampments and hearing the USO show, the conversations and the general feel for the field. I would not have enjoyed the noise and smoke, but perhaps one re-enactment per day to satisfy the need to see the guns in action. If you see it one year, isn’t the same the next? BTW, my husband is a WWII vet, and it wasn’t all about the guns depending on where they were at the time.
Mike Mahathy says
I’m glad the city tried something new. It was actually good. I do believe what Josh said, that if circumstances change, they could bring back the reenactment.
Denny Phillips says
We now have two seperate posts here from reenactors telling us that there was no dialogue concerning coordination issues or safety concerns with the event committee. In addition, we have one positive affirmation that the reenactors were told that the event was cancelled due to the committees opinion that a reenactment would “glorify war”.
Something seems amiss here.
Mr. Huotari, can you contact Josh Collins and members of the committee to confirm/deny whether moral objection to war was discussed and part of the reason the events were changed? Are minutes/recordings of the meeting available for review by the public? Are emails available for public review to determine if citizens wrote in to object causing the changes?
If what these gentlemen say is true, and I have no reason to believe they are lying at this point, then the statement released by Mr. Collins seems highly inappropriate, insulting and misleading.
Thanks for your coverage of this issue.
Jim Kindred says
For what ever reason the city decided to make the change they could at least be honest with their story as to the reason why. So far that hasn’t been done.
Chip says
You can have a battle reenactment AND living history displays. The host unit (501st) does a great job. A battle usually brings in more spectators and reenactors. I set up a WWII Army baseball glove display, and enjoyed talking to the people, but the crowd seemed smaller than the last time I was there.
SC says
We have been to the festival the last four years. This year I brought my two nephews, ages 7 &10 to see the reinactment. We were all so disapointed that you did not have the reinactment. Please bring it back next year.
johnhuotari says
Thank you all for your comments and to the re-enactors who drive from hundreds of miles away to participate in the Secret City Festival. I will try to follow up on this story. It will be interesting to see what the festival organizers decide to do next year.