2025 Military Expo
Mar 14th - Mar 15th
March 14 – 15, 2025
All active military personnel and veterans and their guests will receive free admission to Discovery Park on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.
This two-day event features a variety of programs and interactive activities that will interest the entire family. Enjoy a weekend that explores the past, present and future of the military.
Discovery Park’s 2025 military expo will include presentations, demonstrations of military equipment and reenactments.
Friday, Mar. 14 has been 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.
The 2025 Military Expo, sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works, is free with membership or park admission.
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
Schedule of Events
Programs are subject to change.
Friday, March 14, 2025
10-11 a.m. | Second Lobby
Performance by the 52nd Regimental String Band
11 a.m. | Military Gallery
Guided Gallery Tour with Discovery Park team.
12:45 p.m. | Military Gallery
Performance by the Paris-Henry County Band
1 p.m. | Military Gallery
Ask a historian program featuring Dr. David Barber, professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
1:30 p.m. | Military Gallery
Guided Gallery Tour with Discovery Park team.
10-11 a.m. | Military Gallery
Performance by the 52nd Regimental String Band
Saturday, March 15, 2024
All day (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Experience reenactors, National Guard vehicles on display, vendors and equipment from the past, present and future, spread throughout the museum and heritage park.
10:30 a.m. | Military Gallery
Guided Gallery Tour with Discovery Park team.
11 a.m. | Military Gallery
Performance by Mike Holden Jazz Orchestra
1-3 p.m. | Military Gallery
“If It Is Broke, Don’t Fix It: An Examination of U.S. Militaria Preservation and Conservation”
Dr. Patrick Bishop, professor of business communications at the University of Tennessee at Martin, will discuss how conserving artifacts, such as uniforms and weaponry, safeguards history for future generations while offering a unique, hands-on connection to the past.
1:30 p.m. | Military Gallery
Guided Gallery Tour with Discovery Park team.
Vendors will be setup in the Military Gallery and throughout the park each day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.:
- 52nd Regimental String Band
- American Legion TN District 9
- Chaplain Ron Powell, LTC. U.S. Army (Retired)
- Civil Air Patrol – Everett-Stewart Composite Squadron TN 195
- Columbia Southern University
- Dr. Patrick Bishop of the University of Tennessee at Martin
- Murray State University/University of Tennessee at Martin ROTC
- Northwest Tennessee Eagle Riders
- Reelfoot Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
- Sons of the Confederate Veterans
- The Living Historians will be stationed near the Great Lawn
- The Veteran’s Museum
- Veteran K9
- Wreaths Across America TNECMT
Reenactment Groups
The Living Historians will be displayed throughout the Settlement on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step back in time and see what everyday camp life was like for the common Civil War soldier. See how they rationed their food, how they prepared for battle, what they did to pass the time and how they cleaned their weapons. Learn about their uniforms and equipment. Watch as they demonstrate drill, maneuvers and firing commands that were used on the battlefields. Witness camp life up close and personal with this interactive, subversive experience.
