For the first time, the World War II Weekend, a living history event held for decades in St. Louis County, will be moved to Jefferson County this year.
The event is set for Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6-8, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro. The public is invited, although Sept. 6 is open only to school groups.
The hours for Sept. 7 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 8 hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
No admission is charged to spectators.
Hillsboro Mayor Buddy Russell said he is thrilled the spectacle is coming to his town.
The event will feature World War II reenactors and is sponsored by the 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion of St. Louis, a nonprofit group that has held the event for years.
“It’s a huge, tremendous thing,” said Russell, who is also a member of the
Hillsboro Community Civic Club, which owns and operates the fairgrounds. “This is its new home. I think that’s fantastic.”
The World War II Weekend had been held at Jefferson Barracks Park in St. Louis County since the 1970s.
Like in the past, World War II participants who participate in this year’s event will reenact World Ward II military camps and battles.
Battle reenactments are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sept. 7 and noon Sept. 8.
Food vendors will be on hand during the weekend.
Russell said the civic club offered the use of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to the 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion for free, adding that he sees it as a financial boon to Hillsboro businesses.
He envisions the World War II Weekend drawing hordes of people to the city, including the reenactors and the spectators interested in seeing them.
“It’s going to help Hillsboro economically,” Russell said. “It’s going to bring people to Hillsboro.”
Dan Dexter, president of the 2nd Rangers Infantry Battalion, said his group looks forward to relocating the World War II Weekend to Jefferson County.
“We had some contractual issues with St. Louis County Parks and looked for another site,” he said. “The Hillsboro people have been very helpful.”
Dexter said attendees will see reenactors in U.S. and German uniforms depict World War II encounters.
“Friday (Sept. 6) is for local schools,” he said. “It’s dedicated to invasion history. It’s always been a day when schools can come by and learn the history of World War II at the camps that will be set up. It starts at 9 a.m. The schools can just show up or send us an email to let us know they’re coming. They just need to tell me who they are and how many they’re bringing.”
Dexter said school officials interested in bringing groups to Invasion History Day should send emails to 2ndrangerspresident@gmail.com.
He said the relocation of the event could affect the number of reenactors this year, but he still expects dozens of people to take part in the reenactments.
“Usually, we get 200 to 300 reenactors,” he said. “There may not be that many because of the move, at least the first time. There will be World War II vehicles. There will be weapons. There will be German soldier reenactors. Some participants pick the German side because they like the equipment.”
He said the battles are worth seeing.
“The battle reenactments usually last about 30 minutes,” Dexter said. “Spectators will see the maneuvering of soldiers running through the field. They’re shooting blanks, but it’s loud. If there’s a tank, it’s real loud.
“It’s an entertaining event,” said Dexter, a resident of the Jefferson County portion of Fenton. “I still learn stuff. I expect crowds of spectators of a few hundred. We get a lot of veterans.”
For more information, visit the U.S. 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion of St. Louis, Inc. Facebook page or Jeffersoncountyfair.net.