On Saturday, June 8th, my dad and I made it out to the 33rd annual World War II Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA.  This was my dad’s fourth year going and this was my second year.  Like last year, the event did not disappoint.  Last year’s event was the very first event that I ever blogged about on this site, and you can read it here.  The event runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

My dad and I made the 2 hour drive and arrived at the parking site at about 10:15am.  Right away, we could tell that there were many more people attending this  event than last year.  It was a beautiful day, and this year celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-Day which drew many people.  The lines to catch a shuttle bus to the event were quite long, although they did move pretty quickly.  I assume that the organizers of the event didn’t even assume the number of people who would be there.  But I have to give them credit for how well organized everything is run there.

When my dad and I finally made it to the event, we toured the many encampments and checked out all of the WW2 planes.  We checked out a small French village, and we viewed WW2 soldiers drilling in line.  We saw medics care for two wounded soldiers.  We examined the many tanks and army vehicles.  The grounds have speakers that play tunes from the 1940s.  You truly feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine and are now in a WW2 camp.  There are so many reenactors who are in the army camps, and they are very knowledgeable about their subject.  One particular re-enactor explained to us how WW2 soldiers used bazookas against enemy tanks.  He also explained how jumpers from planes had to safely jump and land holding all of their equipment.

At lunchtime we ate from one of the many food trucks there.  Then we started to head over to where the airshow was taking place.  We brought lawn chairs and watched the show.  It’s quite amazing to watch 80 year old planes still flying and doing tricks.  It was a windy day so the parachuters did not jump out of the planes like last year.  But it still was an impressive show.  Following the air show, we continued to walk the grounds and were immersed in the many WW2 camps, stumbling upon some bagpipers.  I love the fact that many people who come to WW2 weekend dress in 1940s attire.  Like last year I was amazed at how many people are willing to come out to a historical event, which is a satisfying reminder that so many people out there love history.  Everything at the event is so spaced out so that you don’t feel crammed at all.  

Finally, in the late afternoon my dad and I decided to leave and there were more long lines to get back on the shuttle bus.  The amount of people there just shows how great this event truly is.  Anyone in the vicinity of Reading, PA needs to make it to this event!  Here is the link to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum→ https://maam.org/wwii/

Check out my videos of the event on my Instagram page here—-> https://www.instagram.com/beneventos_history_blog/