Reenactor Information
Reenactor information for WWII TRIBUTE at Buckley Homestead
2012 SPONSORS US 9th Infantry (HRS), 353rd German Infantry (HRS) and 2629th WAC Battalion
Safety and Authenticity will follow HRS guidelines
May 5, 2012 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 6, 2012 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration for WWII Tribute IS NOW CLOSED
Registration was open for more than seven months. It closed on APRIL 13, 2012 at 4 p.m. (CT)
NO ONSITE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED
SAVE TIME AT REGISTRATION: Print waivers, fill out in advance and bring them with you along with your identification.
HRS member waiver
HRS non-member waiver
Lake County Parks waiver (all required to fill this one out)
For online registration click here (open from September 1, 2011 to April 13, 2012 at 4 p.m.)
Click here for FINAL registration list
HRS Safety Regulations
HRS Authenticity Regulations
HRS Membership Form
2012 Unit Placement Map Overview and Axis Camps
2012 Unit Placement Map west field and barnyard
2012 Convoy Map
Note from Becky Crabb, Buckley Homestead Park Manager: Once again, Thank You to participants and especially to the hosts groups who managed the NO GLASS issue very well with a few exceptions. Not only do I appreciate your diligence, but so do our animals who use the fields for grazing. Please continue to do your part to keep our park clean and safe. Find alternatives for glass. Remember, 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 and will continue to do so in the future if necessary.
Participant Responsibilities and Information
BUCKLEY HOMESTEAD WORLD WAR II TRIBUTE
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 and may have to limit the number of people on the battlefield. Each commander is responsible for his or her unit, so if some of your members do not have web access it is the commander’s job to make certain all understand what is expected of them.
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 registration on the park site. Check-in begins on Friday, May 4, 2012 at noon and continues until 7 p.m. Registration will reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2012 and continue to 11 a.m. 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 accepted reenactor affiliation card.
Camp locations: The sponsoring units will establish camp locations based on what is best for the program. 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, flown or posted in the park.
Daily review and S&A: All troops are required to report to the west field for morning formation at 9:45 a.m. to receive daily orders and information update. This will also serve as safety and authenticity inspection. Bring the S&A card you received at check-in with you. Upon successful S&A inspection, your card will be marked, verifying that you may participate on the battlefield.
Battle and skirmish review for officers: Check in at Headquarters in the upper barn at 9 a.m. each day. CO’s and/or NCO’s are required to attend if your unit would like to participate in battles or skirmishes.
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: Buckley Homestead is a living history working farm. 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 asked to leave and not invited back. The Lake County Parks reserves the right to remove anyone from the park site who is a behavior problem. See other rules and regulations below.
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 and Shooting and Test Firing: The use of shotguns on the battle or skirmish fields is prohibited. They will only be allowed as a static display. Shooting is limited to 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Test firing is only permitted on the battlefield.
Security: Period Allied Military Police (MP’s) and Axis Feldgendarme (FG’s) will enforce HRS rules and regulations, safety and authenticity, and Buckley Homestead rules. The Lake County Parks and Recreation Department will call County Police Officers to the park site if a situation calls for it. It is your responsibility to know the rules and abide by them.
Safety: This is one of the most important factors when presenting a reenactment to the public. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is that every reenactor do his or her part to keep Buckley safe of accidents.
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 bring 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 it 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. Pick up a parking pass when you sign in at the park. The address at Buckley Homestead is 3606 Belshaw Road in Lowell, IN 46356 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. or email info@lakecountyparks.com
Contact Information: For information about the event, call 219-947-PARK or email info@lakecountyparks.com. See the web at www.lakecountyparks.com and follow the WWII Tribute links for program updates. Buckley's on-site phone is 219-696-0769. It will be manned during program hours.
Reenactor Schedule (subject to minor changes). Click here for public schedule.
Friday, May 4, 2012 |
|
Noon – 7 p.m. |
Sign in and registration is OPEN in the upper barn or the WAC tent in the barnyard (Some encampments have been moved so check in prior to setting up). Registration conducted by WAC volunteers. Give them a big thank you when you check in. They do a great job. |
5:30 p.m. |
Line up and drive the Convoy through the town of Lowell. NOTE: Everyone driving in the convoy will have to fill out a convoy waiver and show their proof of insurance. The Convoy will line up on Belshaw Road facing west 5:30 p.m. and leave Buckley at 5:45 p.m. to meet the police escort in Lowell. Contact Dave Jeglum, 9th I.D. Convoy Sergeant at djeglum@comcast.net |
Saturday, May 5 and Sunday May 6, 2012 |
|
7 a.m. - 10 a.m. |
Sign in and registration OPEN in the WAC tent in the barnyard (Some encampments have been moved so check in prior to setting up). Registration conducted by WAC volunteers. Give them a big thank you when you check in. They do a great job. |
8:30 a.m. |
Allied forces MP and Axis forces FG meeting in the upper barn |
9 a.m. |
All non-period vehicles must be removed from all areas of the park to the reenactor parking lot near the maintenance building. PLEASE DON’T BLOCK OTHERS IN. |
9 a.m. |
Commanding Officers meet to review the battle plan at check-in headquarters in the upper barn. |
9 a.m. |
Test shooting may be done on the battlefield only. Shooting is not permitted on the park site until 9 a.m. |
9:45 a.m. |
Daily Formation and S & A check: All troops required to report to the west field (west of the barnyard) for morning formation to received daily orders and information update. |
10 a.m. |
Park opens to the public |
10:15 a.m. |
Flag raising ceremony in main barnyard |
10:30 a.m. |
Skirmish near pioneer log house (10-15 minutes) |
11:30 a.m. |
First battle. Units prepare to deploy 30 to 40 minutes prior. Must show authorized S&A cards prior to entering battlefield. It will be required for battle participation. |
12:15 p.m. (Sat) |
Military uniform demonstration in the upper barn. |
12:30 p.m. (Both) |
Tour of the Camps (Hayride shuttle for those with walking difficulties) |
12:30 p.m. (Sun) |
Skirmish near pioneer log house (10-15 minutes) |
12:30 p.m. (Sun) |
WWII Girls Baseball Living History League demonstration at Hendricks and Belshaw corner lot |
1 p.m. (Sat) |
Skirmish near pioneer log house (10-15 minutes) |
1:15 p.m. (Sun) |
Skirmish near pioneer log house (10-15 minutes) |
2 p.m. (Sat) |
Skirmish near pioneer log house (10-15 minutes) |
2:45 p.m. (Sun) |
Patriotic Veterans Tribute at battlefield (SUNDAY ONLY) Non combat units that wish to participate in the service should contact Dawn at DawnR@lakecountyparks.com |
3 p.m. |
Second battle. Units prepare to deploy 30 to 40 minutes prior. Must show authorized S&A cards prior to entering battlefield. It will be required for battle participation. |
4 p.m. (Sat) |
Tour of the Camps (Hayride shuttle for those with walking difficulties) |
5 p.m. (Sat) |
Park is closed to public (SATURDAY at 5 p.m. SUNDAY at 4 p.m.) but gates remain closed until the park is cleared of public. This is a safety issue. |
5:30 p.m. (Sat) |
POV permitted into the park site (SATURDAY at 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY at 4:30 p.m.) IF ALL PUBLIC ARE OUT OF THE PARK SITE (this is a safety issue). |
7:00 p.m. (Sat) |
Dance 7-9:30 p.m. in the upper barn hosted by the WW2 USO Stateside Operations unit. Please help them clean up and get ready for Sunday morning |
10 p.m. |
QUIET TIME ALL NIGHTS – Strictly enforced. Remember, we have neighbors. |
NOTE: For the safety & concerns of the public, dogs are not permitted on the park site during this event.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
- Victory Garden displays and demonstrations using wartime recipes by the Lake County Master Gardeners. Heirloom vegetables, flowers and herb are featured.
- The Buckley Homestead Main House Museum, One-room turn-of-the-century schoolhouse, and 1850s pioneer log house will be open during the program. WWII era automobiles on display along the walkway by members of the Winamac Old Auto Club and others.
- First Aid Station is located in the east section of the carriage house.
- WWII Veteran's Tent near Visitor Center. Open throughout the day for the public to talk to WWII veterans.
- Super 8 Motel Hebron - About 5 miles east of the park at the intersection of I-65 & Route 2 - For reservations call 219-696-8888
- Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville, Indiana www.deepriverwaterpark.com
- Turkey Creek Golf Course in Merrillville, Indiana
- Cedar Creek Family Golf Center in Cedar Lake, Indiana
- Tri Creek Lumber in Lowell
Please support our corporate sponsors
Make certain that you have read the reenactor rules and responsibilities carefully prior to sending in your application, as you will have to abide by them while at the event.
WWII Reenactor Application Form
HRS Membership Form (see updates above for information)
Photo and video links provided by Chuck Roberts of Roberts Armory
http://robertsarmory.com/videos.htm
http://robertsarmory.com/lowell2009.htm
For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30