On July 30-31, the historic Alexander Schaeffer Farm at 213 S. Carpenter St. will host the fourth annual WWII Weekend, organized by the East Penn Re-enacators Group.

The event will once again feature a reenactment battle depicting Operation Cobra, an offensive that occurred seven weeks after D-Day in which Allied troops broke past the German line at St. Lô.

The St. Lô breakthrough will be reenacted at Schaeffer Farm this weekend, almost exactly 78 years to the day since it occurred.
An Allied soldier on his way to the front during the 2019 WWII Weekend at Schaeffer Farm. (Will Trostel)

As LebTown reported in 2019, the East Penn Re-enactors Group was organized by two local men seeking to tell the story of the American GIs during World War II after learning of their own ancestors’ stories. Founder Ethan Krall’s grandather, John Krall of Myerstown, served as a technician 5th grade from 1941 to 1945 in the Pacific Theater, while founder Luke Newmaster’s great-grandfather, John Rittle of Lebanon, served as a technician 4th grade from 1944 to 1946 in the European Theater.

Read More: Re-enactors honor greatest generation at Schaeffer Farm WWII Weekend

Admission to the event is free, with a $5 per car parking fee. Food and restrooms will be available, as well as demos and tours of the bivouac area. Find a full schedule below.

Saturday, July 30

9 a.m. Event opens for public.

10:30 a.m. German prisoner questioning with interpreter.

11:30 a.m. Schaefferstown WWII veterans roll call.

2 p.m. Hedgerow battle begins.

5 p.m. Event closes for public.

Sunday, July 31

9 a.m. Event opens for public.

10:30 a.m. Weapons demonstration.

12:30 p.m. German prisoner questioning with interpreter.

1 p.m. Hedgerow battle begins.

3 p.m. Event closes for public.

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