FORT JENNINGS — War of 1812 re-enactor Aaron Owens was teaching elementary school children how to use a rifle.
Most of the children were between the ages of 8 and 12 but two centuries ago it was never too young to learn to use a gun, especially when the country was at war.
Owens showed the children, armed with wooden guns, shooting techniques and how to fight with a bayonets.
The event was just one of many at the War of 1812 re-enactment camp at Fort Fest this weekend to celebrate the village’s heritage and pay tribute to all veterans.
“This is the kids camp where the kids get to go around to each station checking out the actual situations of living or way of life of 1812 people,” said Amy Ricker, a coordinator for the event.
The camp had English soldiers, Kentucky militiamen, and American Indians.
There were many stations, including showing children how to load and shoot a gun. It was just a day in a life of an 1812 solider. The firing of a cannon also was popular among the children, Ricker said.
About 50 re-enactors from three states participated along with camp volunteers, Ricker said.
There also was a re-enactment of a battle with re-enactors fighting with simulated gunfire and cannon fire.
The camp ends with a tribute at the site of the original fort at Fort Jennings, and paying tribute to an unknown soldier.
Fort Fest is in its fourth year as a festival by that name and began in 2012 to celebrate the bicentennial of the war. Co-coordinator Wes Klir said he expects several thousand people will visit the fest.
There also was a big Vietnam War re-enactment with two Huey helicopters giving people rides. Those flying the helicopters served in Vietnam, Klir said.
“We were able to get a Vietnam re-enactment group that enhances our Huey display,” Klir said.
There also were displays in Memorial Hall in town and at the fest to pay tribute to veterans of all wars, he said.
“If you look around the hall you will see every generation displayed,” Klir said.
Fort Fest is an undertaking by everyone in Fort Jennings. Volunteers plan the event and make sure it is a success each year, Klir said.
“This whole community comes out in supporting this festival,” Klir said. “We’re not a very big town but we put on a big event because everybody gets involved.”
The event raises money for the village park.
All military vehicles, including helicopters, come from museums or private collections, Klir said.
The festival began Friday and runs through Sunday. It’s always the third weekend in August.
The moving Vietnam wall will be on display through Monday morning and it has easy access even for people with mobility issues, Klir said.
Kara Stechschulte, of Fort Jennings, was with her husband, Adam, and their two young sons. She said they spend the whole weekend at the event.
“We like to come here to see great-grandpa’s stuff,” she said of an exhibit showing some of his memorability from World War II. “It’s very important for us to let them know the history of where we all come from.”
Stechschulte said the fest grows every year.
“It’s wonderful to see how everybody comes out and the community comes together as a whole,” she said.
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