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It’s School Day at ‘The Great War’ on April 5 O
n the weekend of April 6 and 7, Midway Village Museum will host the 7th annual The Great War event, the largest public World War I military reenactment in the nation. And on Friday, April 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., students are invited to get a sneak peek as the event opens just for them during “The Great War: WWI School Day.” “The School Day offers a way more immersive experience for students, since they have an opportunity to interact with the 220 re-enactors while far fewer people are on the grounds,” says Alyssa McGhyghy, museum special events coordinator. “The re-enactors love teaching what they know about the war.” There are activities for students age third grade through high school. Students can visit camps, try out the training course, tour the WWI trench system, watch a presentation about WW I aviation and meet Salvation Army Donut Lassies.
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Smart Living Weekly
To learn more about the School Day event, call McGhghy at (815) 397-9112 ext. 104 or email her at specialevents@ midwayvillage.com. Teachers should sign up their classes by March 28. The April 6 and 7 The Great War event will feature re-enactors portraying soldiers and civilians from the U.S. and Europe, using the museum’s historic village as a backdrop. Attractions include: • WWI tanks, including a replica of the FT-17 French tank • Large scale WWI model airplane displays and flying demonstrations • An exclusive replica of a Trench Train, known as a Tin Turtle • Elaborate displays of WWI weapons, equipment, and artifacts • Cavalry units • Lectures throughout the day by military experts • Salvation Army Donut Lassies
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• Live musical performers with songs from the 1910s • Militaria sales vendors with real and replicated WWI equipment, clothing, books and artifacts • Refreshments sold by local vendors The following are among guest speakers: Cindy Herman – Suffragettes and WWI Noon, April 6 & 7 Cindy Herman will explore the role that Illinois suffragettes played in establishing the women’s right to vote. She’ll also look at the fashion and accessories used by suffragettes. Terry Dyer – Camp Grant 12:30 p.m., April 6 & 7 When the U.S. entered WWI, the City of Rockford was chosen to receive one of 16 new Army Training Centers being built across the country. Hear how pristine farmland was transformed into this massive army facility just 5 miles south of Rockford. Dyer will
