D-Day reenactment - Conneaut

[Sir Trevor]

A few people have asked about the upcoming D-Day reenactment.
For those, not in the know. For the past 15 years this has been going on here in Conneaut.
Apparently, the bluffs down by the lake are a great simulation for what actually transpired back in the day.
Every year this thing has gotten bigger and bigger. Last I knew they had something like 1500 reenactors signed up for this year.
The big battle is huge. Actual landing craft land on the beach to deliver the American troops.
There are planes flying overhead, lots of explosions and smoke, to go along with tons of gunfire.
They have a Sherman tank that will be firing also. As well as a bunch of other various vehicles and equipment that will be used during the battle.
Besides the 2 minor battles and the big battle, there are also various displays, as well as vendors selling wares.

For more information, you can check the official site
www.ddayohio.us/default.htm

To see some of my pictures from past years you can look here
www.tylisaari.com/me/dday/dday.htm

For those who are thinking about coming, it is located at
480 Lake Rd (531)
Conneaut OH 44030
google map

I am not sure what the parking plans are at this time.
For the past few years, it has gotten too big to have people park at the park.
They have been using various parking lots around town and running shuttle buses back and forth.
So, since I don't know where the parking is, I can't say which would be the best way to come in.

Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention, this is a free event. No tickets or anything needed to go take a look.

[Sir Trevor]

Got my pictures up finally.

www.tylisaari.com/me/dday/dday14.htm

[Sir Trevor]

It's that time of year again.
Things kick off tomorrow!

It's gonna be a packed weekend.
Here is the schedule
www.ddayohio.us/schedule.htm

I am looking forward to seeing this beast in action again.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYa5Vcv1GAw

88mm anti-aircraft gun.

[Sir Trevor]

So Hank, did you make it up this year again?

[bunbun / Hank]

Yeah Trevor, I did make it up last Friday. Sorry we missed one another, but it is a big place. Got to ride in the Higgins boat, that was a blast. Saw a couple of the earlier in the day battles. Didn't stay for the "invasion" as I saw that last year and I was getting tired from all the walking around. It's a lot of fun and you get to meet and talk with some really interesting people. Hope to do it again next year.

Hey, what are they doing with Rt. 20? I was coming in that way and got detoured down to I-90 over to 7 and up into town. I should uv just taken 193 to 631, probably would uv been simpler. Oh well, got there, that's what counts.

HANK.

[Sir Trevor]

They are replacing the bridge at the Conneaut / Kingsville line.
Closed the road back in April and supposed to have it reopened sometime around xmas.

Did you see the flamethrower on Friday?
We also took a Higgins ride on Friday. Lots of fun once we got out by the lighthouse.
I liked it better on Friday. Less hectic, and could get a better look at things.
They didn't have the beach roped off, and you could go right up to the tank, and the big guns.

You are right about it being a big place. And lots of people. Eric Silvi was there on Friday too, and I never saw him either.
Same with Brian (Penfold) on Saturday.

[bunbun / Hank]

Nah, didn't get to see the flamethrower close up as that was happening while I was out in the Higgins boat. Never made it down to the beach either. Spent most of my time in the French and German camps since I spent most of last year in the British and American sectors. It's like trying to catch everything at the GLMF in one day, just can't do it. Gotta say the folks in Conneaut are great for putting up with all that noise, like the German 88 cannon, damn, that sucker is LOUD! And ya have planes flying overhead barely above the tree tops. Ya meet some really great folks that really know their subject matter. Met one fella in the German camp who was from Alabama. Came all the way up here for that event. Ya ever hear anyone speak German with an Alabama accent? Interesting to say the least. I'll probably make it up again next year, being kind of a history buff I find it really interesting. Glad Conneaut lets em do that. I imagine it brings a lot of tourist dollars into town. On my way out of town I saw a diner across the street from the post office. Know anything about it? Hows the food? Might have to check it out next year.

HANK.

[Sir Trevor]

Lots of people say great things about that diner.
Me, not so much. We stopped in one Saturday and got some lunch. I got a burger and fries, and the wife had a BLT.
Neither of us were very happy with our meals.
Don't know if it was just a random thing, or if the style just isn't for us.
I know I have heard people rave about their breakfast.
[shrug]

I ate at D-Day both days.
Whistle Pig Smokehouse had some amazing pulled pork. Best I ever had.

As for putting up with all the people. It's not so bad. Most of the noise and traffic is up north here.
And a lot of the people love it, as they make some decent cash using their yards as parking lots. Looked like the going rate was $5 a car. Some of the residents have it down to a science. I saw a couple of places that even had their grass marked off with paint for all the different parking spots.
That German 88 is something else. He did a special night firing of that thing Friday just after dark.
Normally, he uses a 4 lb charge in it. For that one he used a 6 lb charge. He said there were flames shooting out the barrel about 30 feet
I know I heard it here at the house.

[blueguy]

you know, for a change, they should let the Germans win next year.

bet that would mess up some history reports at the local high school.