On the weekend of June 19, 2010, Rowlesburg, WV and the Greatest Generation Society held their annual WWII Weekend. This is one of my favorite annual events for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the hospitality of the event sponsors and the community. We were provided with a spaghetti dinner on Saturday evening before the 40’s dance, free drinks and food at the bar during the dance and an all-you-can eat breakfast at the VFW Sunday morning. You just don’t get that most places. We also had free access to water and ice during the weekend. There was also no b.s. over-regulation as you get at some events. It is an extremely reenactor-friendly environment.
The reenactor turnout this year was about the same as last, but there were fewer vendors. At one point, my attention was drawn to a large German battle flag being unfurled in the vendor area across from our camp and went over to investigate. It turned out to be a large Kriegsmarine flag which was a GI bring back. The owner, one of the spectators, was looking for a buyer.
The Russian Camp this year was, in my opinion, the best of the weekend. The 193rd members in attendence (myself, Don Taylor, Bruce and Christian Oppenhagen, Don and Erica Hongell and Mark Tennant) were assisted by the 33rd Guards and Phil Dzuinda. We may have recruited a couple of new comrades to the defense of the Motherland, as well.
This year, the event was held on the third weekend of June rather than the last weekend. This was problematical in that it fell on Father’s Day weekend as well as a state holiday weekend. Possibly because of these factors, Spectator attendance was lower than usual. However, attendance at the 1940’s dance was good and drew in a good crowd from the surrounding area. The band was again Bobby Menear’s Big Band from Pittsburgh which is a first class outfit.
Another feature of the event is the fashion show which doubles as a uniform demonstration. Bill and Linda Donegan did a fine job of organizing this and had a nice variety of clothing and uniforms for the crowd to appreciate. This isn’t terribly easy either. Getting a group of volunteers who don’t normally do this, as well as getting reenactors to decide which outfit they are going to pull out of their closet, is much like sorting cats, as it were.
This is one of the most fun and most hassle-free events that I attend and I believe most of the other reenactors would agree. I hope that it can continue to improve and grow.
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