CONNEAUT —
Families building sand sculptures and children dunking their friends beneath the water were replaced Saturday by landing craft filled with American soldier re-enactors during D-Day Conneaut.
Thousands of people packed their way into Conneaut Township Park Saturday afternoon to experience the battle of a lifetime. Hundreds of re-enactors recreated the 1944 invasion of Normandy by Allied soldiers.
The surprise attack helped change the direction of World War II, said D-Day Conneaut announcer who gave a running commentary throughout pre-battle announcements and an occasional snippet during the fight that included low flying planes, landing craft and constant gun fire.
Thousands came to the park early to get their seat on the bluffs overlooking the beach that became a riveting spectacle for a full hour Saturday afternoon.
Video cameras and cell phones were at the ready as people sought to capture a special memory of the day for family and friends.
The announcer described the huge 1944 invasion that included 10,000 vessels and 100,000 men.
The D-Day Conneaut version had far fewer people, but was choreographed well to create a feeling of war. Many people cheered during critical parts of the fight.
“It’s pretty neat. We’ll be back that’s for sure,” said Alan Ashcraft, of Norwalk, who traveled to the event with his sons Grant, 6, and Harrison, 8.
Denny Langheid, of Rock Creek, said he has attended three of the mock invasions in Conneaut and really enjoys the low-flying planes that set the tone for the battle.
“I don’t like to fly in them, but I do like to watch them,” he said.
Members of the Conneaut Board of Tourism were all smiles as happy visitors wondered by their booth.
“(I’m) getting tired, but I love it,” said board member Thomas Smile. He said it is great to have visitors from North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky.
“I can’t believe how big this is getting,” he said.
“It’s fantastic,” said Connie Naylor who is the chairperson of the board. She said anything that brings 10,000 to 20,000 people in to town is great.
“Our goal is return business. Our purpose is to have people return,” Naylor said. She said survey cards will hopefully help organizers pinpoint ways to draw more people to Conneaut.
Naylor said the tourism booth also played the role in helping people find what they need. “We are good Samaritans. We help solve problems,” she said.
The park became a two-day home for re-enactors and the curious who were able to learn about World War II weapons, watch a tank be fired and visit a German war camp.
The Ashtabula Coast Guard provided a patrol off shore and reported no problems. “Everybody behaved themselves,” Bill Campbell said of the boat traffic off shore.
Patience was a virtue as thousands of people attempted to leave the park at approximately the same time. Police directed cars on to side streets as pedestrians walked back to cars parked on side streets within a mile radius of the park.
Conneaut police said it took awhile to get people out of town, but there were no crashes and people behaved well.
Shuttle buses also were at work taking people to Conneaut High School and Lakeshore Primary.
As the battle drew to a close the announcer asked all in attendance to participate in a moment of silence for all who served during World War II.
The moment of silence took on new meaning for the audience who saw first hand the horror experienced by American soldiers so many years ago.
Local News
BATTLE ON THE BEACH
World War II re-enactors relive history for record D-Day Conneaut crowd
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