D-Day Muskegon Event Hub

Celebrate history, honor veterans, and experience a weekend of WWII-themed events along the Muskegon waterfront.

D-Day Muskegon is a three-day living history event honoring the Allied invasion of Normandy and the service of the Greatest Generation. Visitors will experience WWII reenactments, swing dancing, historical exhibits, family activities, live entertainment, and veteran recognition aboard and around the historic USS LST 393.

IMPORTANT LINK

Timeline (May 29–31, 2026)

Friday, May 29, 2026

  • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Museum Hours
  • 6:00–11:00 PM: Swing Dance at the Clipper

Saturday, May 30, 2026

  • 8:00 AM 
  • 10:00 AM Opening Ceremony
  • National Anthem w/ Sarah of The Irving Sisters
  • Introduction of Ceremonies w/ Rhett Sease
  • “Roosevelt Prayer” w/ Art Stevens
  • Keynote Speaker w/ John Stephenson

Sunday, May 31 – Closing Events (Times TBD)

  • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Museum Hours
  • 10:00 AM Sunday Routine w/ Reenactors
  • 12:00 PM-2:00 PM - Battleship League

General Information

  • FREE EVENT*
  • Event Location Map
  • Parking information: City Lot
  • Wristband system for ship access
  • *Museum admission: $10/person, $20/family (Members FREE)

Reenactors & Living History

  • WWII battlefield reenactments
  • Military vehicles, including jeeps and possibly a German half-track

Kids Zone

Family-friendly activities include:

  • Sucker Tree
  • Duck Pond
  • Uniform Dress Up

Vendors & Food

Confirmed Food Vendors:

  • Culver’s - Famous for its rich, ultra-creamy frozen custard
  • G&L Hotdogs - old-school Michigan chili dog joint with the steamed buns and loose chili
  • Jake’s Lemonade - ice-cold, fresh-squeezed lemonade
  • Tiki Boiz - Tropical food truck energy with island-inspired flavors
  • Lions Club Breakfast - Pancake breakfast where a few bucks gets you a plate stacked high ($6.00 public/$5.00 reenactors)

Confirmed Vendors:

  • Author: Chris Underwood – The author of the Cold Winter Grid-Down series, a post-collapse military thriller saga featuring blackouts, militias, historic war machines, and the legendary LST-325.
  • Vendor: Battle Bricks - custom WWII-themed LEGO® sets and military builds inspired by historic vehicles, battles, and equipment from the Second World War.
  • Vendor: Leaf Home Water Solutions- provides home water filtration and treatment systems designed to improve water quality, taste, and reliability for households and businesses.

Confirmed Entertainment:

Special Programs

  • Swing Dance at the Clipper - Step back into the 1940s for an unforgettable night aboard the Clipper during the D-Day: Muskegon Swing Dance. The evening features live music from the Leffring Sisters, a live DJ spinning tunes between sets from Yuno Entertainment, and a full night of dancing, vintage atmosphere, and wartime nostalgia aboard one of Michigan’s most historic ships. Guests can purchase tickets in advance, and the shuttle service will run between the Clipper and the venue throughout the evening, making it easy to hop between events.

  • Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council

  • Ms. D-Day Contest - Step aboard the historic for the Miss D-Day Muskegon 2026 Contest, celebrating the fashion, charm, and spirit of the 1940s. Contestants will showcase authentic WWII-era-inspired style while guests enjoy reenactors, living history, and vintage atmosphere along the waterfront.

  • Q & A w/ Author Chris Underwood – Join author Chris Underwood for a special book talk and Q&A as he discusses his Cold Winter Grid-Down series, a post-collapse thriller saga featuring militias, blackouts, historic war machines, and the legendary LST-325 battling to survive and defend America after the power grid fails. Guests will hear the real history behind the books and the inspiration for the series, and will have the chance to ask the author questions directly.

  • Movie on Deck- Join us Saturday evening for a special screening of Generals Won’t Die, a feature-length WWII film created by Chicago reenactor and filmmaker Andreas Forrer and centered on Operations Torch and Husky, the Allied invasions of North Africa and Sicily. The film features large-scale reenactment scenes, LSTs, and practical effects, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmaker and Midwest reenactors involved in the production.

  • Battleship League - a casual naval strategy event where players command miniature warships in fast, fun tabletop battles inspired by real naval combat. Every player receives a custom 3D-printed ship to use during the tournament, which usually turns otherwise reasonable adults into aggressive Pacific Fleet commanders remarkably fast.

FAQ Section

Is this event family-friendly?

Yes. The event includes reenactments, educational displays, live music, a kids zone, vendors, military vehicles and interactive activities for all ages.

How much does it cost?

FREE TO THE PUBLIC, but Museum admission is $10 per person or $20 per family. USS LST 393 members receive free admission.

Do you accept cash or card?

Yes. Most event areas and vendors will accept both cash and cards.

What is Battleship League?

Battleship League is a casual tabletop naval strategy game hosted by the museum, where players command miniature warships in WWII-inspired battles using custom 3D-printed ships.

Can I dress in WWII clothing?

Yes. Vintage and WWII-inspired attire is encouraged for guests attending the event and the Swing Dance.

How do I buy Swing Dance tickets?

Tickets for the Swing Dance aboard the can be purchased online through the event ticket link.

Is parking available?

Yes. Parking in the city lot adjacent to the battlefield will be available. The parking lot next to the ship will be NO PARKING.

Can I volunteer?

Yes. Volunteers are welcome and can sign up through the volunteer registration link on the event page.

How do I become a vendor or sponsor?

Vendor registration and sponsorship forms are available through the event hub links.

Event Leadership & Contacts

Ryan Lancaster
Event Coordinator
✉️ ryan.g.lancaster@gmail.com

Chris “Lefty” Johnson
Co-Event Coordinator
✉️ chrisleftyjohnson@gmail.com

Sean Boomer
Coordinator at Large | Volunteer Coordinator
✉️ Boomersean@gmail.com

Steve Trier
Reenactor Coordinator
✉️ Trier1sl@gmail.com

Rhett Sease
Sponsorship Coordinator
✉️ rhettsease@yahoo.com

Roger Hager
Food & Vendor Coordinator
✉️ hagerrog@yahoo.com

Grace Jaeger
Entertainment & Veteran Programming Coordinator
✉️ gracejaeg@gmail.com

Hugh O’Connor
Graphic Design & Promotional Materials
✉️ patriotson62@yahoo.com

Sarah Ritchie
Ms. D-Day Contest Coordinator
✉️ missddaymuskegon@gmail.com

Jeremy Leski
DJ – Yuno Entertainment
✉️ yunoentertainment1751@gmail.com

Cindy Beckwith
USS LST-393 Event Coordination
✉️ lstevents@yahoo.com

Sponsors & Community Partners

  • Supreme Allied Command ($1,000)

  • Beachhead Command ($500)

  • Airborne Division ($250)

  • Infantry Support ($100)