Delaware Goes To War Weekend

"Delaware Goes To War Weekend" at Fort Miles historic area in Cape Henlopen State Park is Delaware's premiere World War II living history event. On the last saturday in April each year, reenactors of the 261st Coast Artillery and various guest groups gather in Cape Henlopen to recreate life on this military coastal defense station in World War II, with authentic US Army uniforms, vehicle and weapons of the period the base was in operation from 1941-1945. This is a State-funded event hosted by Cape Henlopen State Park, and is a tourist draw for the town of Lewes before the beach season formally opens. The event organizers are ex-US Army veterans and also State Parks volunteers. Fort Miles barracks, artillery guns and a bunker called Battery 519 on the site have been fully restored and renovated into a museum open to seasonal tours during the summer. Each year the event grows bigger and better as more money is raised by donations and visitors to the Fort Miles Museum, which goes directly into improving the site facilities and planning next year's event. As a result of the museum's opening in 2017 and the various other attractions the beachside campground offers, Cape Henlopen was voted the best State Park in Delaware, and is now one of the best State Parks in the United States. I personally know the event organizers and some of the Fort Miles staff, and this is my 6th year covering the event to increase their social media exposure.