Event web site:  www.lakecountyparks.com – follow WWII Tribute link on the home page

Note from Becky Crabb, Buckley Homestead Park Manager:  NO GLASS!  The committee is working on ways to continue this program, so everyone won’t suffer for those few who don’t follow rules.  Do your part.  Find alternatives for glass.  If there is glass found (other than in historic static displays) future programs will be cancelled.  We have banned groups for unsafe behavior and legal infractions will continue to do so in the future if necessary.  

Reenactor Schedule

(subject to minor changes)

NOTE:  For the safety and concerns of the public, dogs are not permitted on the park site during this event.

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Participant Responsibilities and Information

BUCKLEY HOMESTEAD WORLD WAR II TRIBUTE 2008

Advance registration is required. All reenactors MUST be PRE-REGISTERED. If you know of other reenactors who have not received this notice, please let them know to contact the park department at the numbers below. Due to space limitations, we are restricted to 300 reenactors and may have to limit the number of people on the battlefield.  

Advanced Unit Registrations are accepted. However, an accurate list of each participant who will be attending with name, address, phone, and I.D. number is required. Each person must sign a waiver at check-in.  Individual registration and signing of waivers is required and must be done at the check-in in the upper barn. Check-in begins on Friday, May 2, 2008 at noon and continues until 7 p.m.   Registration will reopen at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008 and continue throughout the morning.  The same registration times apply on Sunday.  ALL REENACTORS MUST SIGN IN.  Pre-registration reserves your participation only and does not replace the waiver form. You need to show your TSG, HRS, or other reenactor affiliation card.  

Camps: Only the unit commander can request a camping location.  All members of the unit must camp together.  THERE IS NO CIVILIAN CAMPING ON THE PARK SITE (participants are considered part of the reenactment and must observe rules at all times).  All tents should be WWII, reproductions, or converted to closely resemble WWII tents.  No Nazi party or political items will be worn or flown.  

Reenactor membership: Each participant must be a verified member of a recognized reenactor unit (the host units and/or the Lake County Parks reserve the right to reject reenactors who do not meet safety, authenticity, or other standards).  

Minor participants:  If a reenactor is a minor, a parent or guardian must sign for him/her at the event.  Participation of minors follows the HRS rules and regulations.  Please refer to them.

No glass bottles: This is a working farm and for the safety of the animals, staff, volunteers, participants, and visitors no glass is allowed, with the exception of period display items.  After the WWII reenactors leave the park site, we open the pastures for our horses, cows, and sheep.  We cannot take a chance that any of our animals will be cut by glass or other objects left behind, therefore we will enforce the long-standing rule of NO GLASS.  The Lake County Parks will not permit drinking beverages in GLASS bottles on the farm.  This is an important safety issue for the staff, volunteers, and animals.  It has especially been a problem with beer and wine bottles.  Therefore, anyone with glass (other than that used in static displays and interpretation) will be required to either give up their bottles and remain on the park site, or be ejected.  The Lake County Parks reserves the right to remove anyone from the park site who is a behavior problem.   

Foxholes will only be allowed for battlefield requirements and will be orchestrated by the host units.  

Safety and Authenticity rules of the HRS will be enforced.  It is your responsibility, as a reenactor, to familiarize yourself with these requirements.  See the reenactor schedule for times and locations of these important S&A checks.  ONLY THOSE WHO PASS the safety and authenticity inspection will receive a battlefield pass.  No one will be allowed entry to the battlefield without their S&A card displayed, STRICTLY ENFORCED.  

Shotguns: The use of shotguns on the battle or skirmish fields is prohibited.  They will only be allowed as a static display.

Vehicle safety:  All motor vehicles must be driven by a licensed driver, regardless of off or on road use.  Proper liability insurance is mandatory.  If you are a vehicle owner include a copy of your insurance card with your registration.  HRS rules state that vehicles must be insured, have a fire extinguisher and be in working order with all brakes in working condition.  See the HRS web page for additional requirements.  

Equipment, uniform, weapon, and vehicles should have been used or carried in WWII.  Any item converted to look like WWII equipment will be judged by the event staff.  If is not accepted it must be removed. Vehicles should be manufactured prior to 1946 or represent a type used by Allied or Axis during 1939-1945.  All equipment must be approved by a program representative of the sponsoring unit or park department.  See HRS Authenticity Regulations for further requirements.  

Cars and other non-period vehicles are not permitted into the park site during program hours. Belshaw and Hendricks Roads are closed from 9:30 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. until about 4:30 on Sunday or until the public is out of the park site.  All vehicles must be removed from the program area and in the designated parking lots no later than 9 a.m. each day. NO TRAFFIC (except emergency and approved vintage vehicles) is permitted on Belshaw and Hendricks Roads from the maintenance barn to the visitor center during the program hours.  

Reenactor parking is located at the maintenance barn. From I-65 exit Rt. 2 at Lowell, Indiana then travel west for about 4.5 miles. You will see park signs at Hendricks Road . Go past those signs to the stop light, then turn left (south) at the light to the stop sign ( Belshaw Road ). Turn left (east) on Belshaw to reenactor parking. You will see signs stating that the road is closed ahead, but you will be able to get to reenactor parking. You will have a parking pass mailed to you when you pre-register by the deadline. The address at Buckley Homestead is 3606 Belshaw Road in Lowell, IN for a Mapquest search. 

Dogs are not permitted at Lake County Parks special events, including the WWII Tribute.  

Vendors:  There is a fee of $75 for accepted vendors, payable in advance to the Lake County Parks. Call 219-947-PARK if you are a vendor and have not received an application.  Contact 219-947-PARK for questions M-F 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.  

Contact Information:  For information about the event, call 219-947-PARK or email info@lakecountyparks.com.  See the web at www.lakecountyparks.com for program updates.  Buckley's on-site phone is 219-696-0769. It will be manned during program hours.