FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - Every third Saturday in May is Armed Forces Day, and in Findlay, it's celebrated with one of the largest military vehicle shows in the country.
Through Sunday, the Hancock County Fairgrounds will have no shortage of ways to learn about the past and modern-day equipment used by the military. The Findlay Show features over 100 vehicles, from tanks to medic trucks, nearly 200 vendors, battle reenactments, American Huey helicopter flights, and more.
"We started this since it was just a little show with 10 vehicles 37 years ago. We've grown into one of the largest shows of its kind in the United States. We have vendors here from 38 states, and we've got vehicles from at least 6 or 7 states surrounding us. It's a very big deal for this area; a lot of people won't have an opportunity to see this much hardware collected in one spot as they will here," said John Cheney, the commander of the Findlay Military Association.
At the show, you can also find the Marlboro Volunteers Mobile Military History Museum. Inside, volunteers will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the evolution of equipment as early as the French and Indian War up to the Iraq War, including ships, uniforms, and guns.
"We're showing you flintlocks, where you actually use flint and black powder, and then we progress you through the Civil War, where they're using ball and cap, and then we take you through modern, where they're using modern-day metallic cartridges," added Mark Turner, one of the Marlboro Volunteers.
The goal of the Findlay Show is that everyone leaves with a deeper understanding and appreciation of military operations and the daily lives of those who serve.
"As an everyday American, I never served, but I had two sons that served. And I think too many times we take our veterans for granted. I don't think that they get the due, the just due that they deserve," Turner said.
"Of course, everybody is a patriot, and everybody should embrace that patriotism and help us celebrate our veterans. What we do with this show is we try to make it a little bit more of a reachable and hands-on experience. So people can come out, talk to the veterans, see what hardships the veterans went through," Cheney added.
The Findlay Show continues Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon.
