Fort Jennings event will celebrate military history

FORT JENNINGS — War reenactments, artillery and canon displays and Vietnam-era helicopters will be featured during Fort Fest scheduled Friday through Sunday in the Fort Jennings Park. This year's feature display will be the GoldStars Tribute Wall TM. This traveling monument is dedicated to remembering the sacrifice of our fallen veterans. There are 7,000 stars on the wall, each with an individual name representing those who were killed while serving in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Huey 369 organization will return along with War of 1812 reenactments, artillery and cannon displays, the Wolf Hounds Vietnam reenactment group, Children's Camp 1812, Lauer Farms World War II encampment, the Master Modeler and Traveling Museum, and an assortment of other historic military displays. One of the area's largest military vehicle shows also takes place at Fort Fest. Many kid friendly activities can be found at this year's event. Camp 1812 is a structured children's camp where grade schoolers can learn period War of 1812 militia drills, crafts and games taught by reenactors. The 1812 village provides a period encampment for public viewing, and cannons and musket fire light up the sky at two live War of 1812 battle reenactments along the Auglaize River. A Vietnam reenactment is also scheduled for Saturday. The Master Modeler display allows attendees to handle, wear or hold historic military memorabilia from an extensive collection which includes many handmade models and dioramas. The Ohio MIA/POW Wall will again be at this year's event, and the largest military museum in the area, The Hometown Heroes exhibit, includes personal effects and memorabilia from local veterans. Other activities include a motorcade/motorcycle run, classic car show and wine tasting featuring four several Ohio wineries and breweries. Free entertainment features The Wet Bandits, Hollywood Strip, Trophy Husbands and Nashville artists Kristen Kelly and Kyle Mercer. A variety of food and beverage options are available. Flights on the Huey helicopter are arranged on a first come, first serve basis, and the cost of these flights goes directly to the American Huey 369 Organization. All other exhibits, reenactments and entertainment are free to the public. Details are available online at fjfortfest.com.