Jefferson County residents can step back in time this weekend at the 2026 World War II Weekend Living History event at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
The nonprofit U.S. 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion of St. Louis holds the event, which will include World War II reenactors staging military camps and battles from the European theatre. There is no admission fee.
This is the third year the event will be held in Jefferson County. It was established in the 1970s and previously was held at Jefferson Barracks Park in St. Louis County.
Festivities kick off on Friday with invasion history presented exclusively to local school groups at the fairgrounds. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Battle reenactments are set for 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Food vendors will be available on Saturday and Sunday.
Dan Dexter, president of the 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion, said the weekend draws reenactors from across the region.
“We’ll have guys from Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. I think some guys are coming up from Kentucky,” he said.
A WWII Canteen Dance is set for 7-10 p.m. Saturday in the fairgrounds building. Dance tickets cost $20 at the door and $16 in advance through the U.S. 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion of St. Louis Inc. Facebook page.
For more information, visit jeffersoncountyfair.net or the group’s Facebook page.