Military History Weekend Returns To Lockport Sept. 6-7

LOCKPORT, IL — The Lockport Township Park District is preparing to once again host its annual Military History Weekend at Dellwood Park from Sept. 6-7.

The "multi-era celebration" of America's military legacy draws thousands each year, according to the park district.

The weekend features immersion tours, vintage military vehicles and live battle reenactments. Events kick off at 9:30 a.m. on both Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.

New this year is premium immersion tours, which offer a WWII trench tour and a Civil War Immersion tour. The trench tour is a guide through a realistic WWII trench, with reenactors who share stories, survival tactics and battlefield conditions, the park district said.

The Civil War immersion tour will provide a narrated, historically accurate experience including drills, reenactor interviews, and stories of soldiers and civilians.

The schedule for the entire week includes:

• 9:30 a.m., Park opens
• 11 a.m., WWII Battle
• 12 p.m., Swing Music & Dancers – Sweet Reminder
• 1 p.m., Civil War Battle (NEW Battlefield)
• 3 p.m., WWII Battle
• 4 p.m., The Fortunate Sons – USO Show
• 6 p.m., WWII Bridge Skirmish
• 6:45 p.m., Vietnam Battle
• 7:30 p.m., Rockford Peaches Night Game
• 8 p.m., Silver Bullet STL – Bob Seger Tribute (LockRocks free concert series, gates
• open 7:30 p.m, sponsored by CITGO)

Sunday, Sept. 7:

• 9:30 a.m., Park opens
• 11 a.m., WWII Battle
• 12 p.m. Sweet Reminder live performance
• 12:30 p.m., Vietnam Bridge Skirmish
• 1 p.m., Civil War Battle
• 2 p.m., WWII Battle
• 3 p.m., WWII Battle
• 5 p.m., Park Closes

The weekend also offers a veterans hospitality tent, and all veterans are welcome. Free food and beverages (Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), sponsored by AARP, VFW 5788 & Jersey Mike’s Subs.

“Military History Weekend is more than a reenactment—it’s a living tribute to service,”
Pamela Hutton, PR & Marketing Supervisor of the Lockport Township Park District said in a release. “This year’s new Immersion Tours will bring guests even closer to the action and emotion behind
America’s military legacy.”

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, seniors 55+ and veterans. Military History Weekend is sponsored by CITGO.