BEVERLY, MA — The Revolutionary War reenactment troop Col. Bailey's 2nd Massachusetts Regiment is set to be a big part of this year's Beverly Warrior Weekend to help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the fight for independence with a full encampment of tents, artillery, drummers, bugle players, musket shooting and demonstrations on how soldiers cooked food and prepared for battle back in 1776.
The group is one of the major additions to the Warrior Weekend as organizers prepare for the 4th annual event on May 16-17 at Beverly High School.
Beverly Veterans Affairs Director David Perinchief, who founded Warrior Weekend in an effort to bring what he has called a "Mini-Fleet Week" to the North Shore, said the reenactments not only provide a fun and educational show for those attending, but they also provide opportunities for those who literally want to be a part of military history in the United States.
"There are a lot of cool things where people who are interested in playing roles in living history can come down and get up close and personal with the displays," he told Patch following a Warrior Weekend organizational launch meeting on Thursday. "These groups are always looking for people to get involved and play roles in the reenactments and activities."
The Revolutionary War reenactors will be joined by those from the Civil War, World War II and other eras of military history as part of the two-day event that runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine) each weekend day. Admission is free.
Warrior Weekend also features food trucks, music, animal displays, military apparatus and vehicles, recruiter tents, mobile VA services, Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, Touch-a-Truck on Sunday, comedian Bryson Banks, live fire demonstrations every 30 to 45 minutes, and a Coast Guard helicopter landing (conditions permitting).
Perinchief said more than 15,000 visitors have attended the first three Warrior Weekends with hopes for similar — if not larger — crowds this year.
"There is a big thing in realizing that the military is not just combat," he said. "There are so many jobs to offer for people going to college to pay for school, and so many great jobs in the military that are not combat-related. There are jobs in administration, photography, bands, and so many other options."
Perinchief said with the current world events and federal budget cutbacks, some of the displays and appearances may be subject to change — including the Coast Guard helicopter landing that uses an "active bird" that could be called away to perform an ocean rescue on short notice — but that he hopes the spirit of military service to the country and its centuries-long history prevails during the annual celebration.
"Vietnam veterans taught us that it's not the service members who make the choice on going to war," he said. "Whether you think a mission is good, bad, or you are indifferent, it's about supporting the troops.
"You don't have to support all things the government is doing. But it's about supporting the men and women who are doing their job for their country."
More on Patch:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Beverly, MA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.