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2026 Military Expo
April 17 - April 18
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Dive Into America’s Military Past and Present
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]All active military personnel and veterans and their guests will receive free admission to Discovery Park on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.
The 2026 Military Expo, sponsored by Dixie Gun Worksand Union City Coca-Cola and supported by Thompson CAT Machinery, is free with park admission or membership. Buy tickets online using this link to receive 10% off.
[/vc_column_text]Purchase Tickets[vc_column_text]Join us for Discovery Park of America’s annual Military Expo, a two-day event that honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The weekend highlights military history and innovation with hands-on experiences, reenactors and interactive exhibits throughout the park. New this year is a live performance of A Revolution of Her Own, an acclaimed living history program about Deborah Sampson, the first woman to professionally fight in the American military.
Guests will have the chance to explore historic and modern military equipment, hear personal stories from veterans and engage with organizations that support today’s service members and their families.
Friday, April 17 will be planned with students in mind and will provide both military and history-related content perfect for school groups. For student group information, email our education department at education@discoveryparkofamerica.com or call 731-885-5455.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Guests will experience:
- Reenactors sharing stories from military history
- Military vehicles and equipment on display
- Experts on a variety of topics relevant to the past, present and future of the military
- Gallery talks with Discovery Park educators
- A live theatrical performance that brings a story from the Revolutionary War to life
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A Revolution of Her Own!™
Deborah Sampson
from History At Play™, LLC
Experience the remarkable true story of Deborah Sampson in A Revolution of Her Own!™ Deborah Sampson, an acclaimed one-woman performance by History At Play™, LLC. Discover how Deborah disguised herself as a man to join the Continental Army and became the first woman to fight in and be honorably discharged from the American military. The show has been featured in major national media outlets and offers an engaging mix of history, theater and audience interaction.
Deborah Sampson’s story continues to inspire audiences of all ages. Through detailed research, authentic costuming and engaging storytelling, History At Play™, LLC brings her courage and determination into focus. The performance highlights Deborah’s early life, her enlistment under the name Robert Shurtlieff and her service in the Continental Army during the final years of the Revolution. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges she faced and the legacy she left behind.
Watch this demo clip for a sneak peek of the performance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]
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Full Schedule of events on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.
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10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Settlement
Living historian reenactors will continue demonstrations and historical interpretation throughout the day.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Settlement
Healing Flames Forge will host blacksmith demonstrations and share their mission of supporting veterans through hands-on forging experiences.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Dino Hall
Military vendors and partner organizations will be on site to meet with guests and school groups and share information about military history, service opportunities and support programs.
11 a.m. | Freedom Square
Planting of the Liberty Tree with the Sons of the American Revolution.
Members of the Sons of the American Revolution, dressed in colonial attire, will lead a ceremonial Liberty Tree planting and posting of the colors in recognition of the nation’s founding ideals.
11:30 a.m. | Military Gallery
Gallery talk with David Heathcott.
David Heathcott will share stories and insights from the museum’s military collection and the role of innovation and service in American history.
Noon | Military Gallery
A Revolution of Her Own: The Deborah Sampson Story
Performed by History at Play, this living history program tells the story of Deborah Sampson, the first woman to professionally fight in the American military during the Revolutionary War.
1:30 p.m. | Tennessee Room
The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner with Michael Larkin.
Learn the history behind the national anthem and the events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
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10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Settlement
Living historian reenactors will continue demonstrations and historical interpretation throughout the day.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Settlement
Healing Flames Forge will host blacksmith demonstrations and share their mission of supporting veterans through hands-on forging experiences.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Dino Hall
Military vendors and partner organizations will be available to meet guests and provide information about military service, veteran programs and educational opportunities.
11 a.m. | Military Gallery
Gallery talk with David Heathcott.
A second opportunity to hear insights about artifacts and stories from Discovery Park’s military collection.
11:30 a.m. | The Lake at Mill Ridge
Rifle Firing Demonstration by Living Historians
Experience the power and precision of historic firearms during live rifle firing demonstrations presented by skilled living historians. Using period-accurate weapons and techniques, interpreters will demonstrate how soldiers loaded and fired their rifles, explain the role of these firearms in military history, and share insight into the training, timing and coordination required on the battlefield.
Noon | The Smithy
Healing Flames Forge presentation.
Representatives from Healing Flames Forge will discuss their organization’s work supporting veterans and demonstrate traditional forging techniques.
1 p.m. | Tennessee Room
American storytelling program presented by Discovery Park’s education department.
Guests will hear stories that highlight the experiences of service members and the role of military service in shaping American history.
2 p.m. | Military Gallery
Performance by Mike Holden Jazz Orchestra
This program will explore the role of music in military history and feature a live jazz performance highlighting the sounds of the wartime era.
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Featured Guests
- Judith Kalaora
- Ms. Veteran America Semi-Finalist
- Sons of the American Revolution
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Reenactors / Living Historians
- J.C. Stahlman’s Living Historian Group
- Civil War Living Historians
- WWII Living Historians
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Demonstrators / Presenters
- Mike Holden Jazz Orchestra
- Healing Flames Forge
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Vendors and Organizations
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Reelfoot Chapter DAR
- Camp Rendezvous Veteran Housing and Work Center
- Civil Air Patrol, Union City Cadet Squadron
- Humana
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Air Force and Space Force
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Reenactment Groups
Want to be part of this event? Whether you’re interested in becoming a vendor or participating as a living historian, reenactor or demonstrator we’d love to have you! Click the button below to sign up.[/vc_column_text]Register[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Check out this video from a previous Military Expo at Discovery Park of America.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]https://youtu.be/JbufQ3I15PM?si=w1FWg4mQA_JCQnPG[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Stay up-to-date on everything happening at Discovery Park by subscribing to our DiscoverMORE e-newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]
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Photos from last year’s Military Expo:
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