Reenacting in 2017

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
In the past couple of years we have discussed if after the 150th anniversary reenactments were over if there would be a drop off in the number of reenactors attending events. We are starting to get in to the reenacting, so how is the numbers of people attending events doing?
 
I don't have numbers, but I can tell you that this most recent one I attended had a nice crowd. I believe the organizer was very pleased with the turnout.

I'll let you know how Wauconda goes.
 
There is a good list of events I'm looking at from now, till next year, and into 2019, it's not slowing down too much where I stack my Musket! Sadly, the one thing that IS slowing down is ...ME!:cry:
  1. Lookout Mountain Living History - Chattanooga, Tennessee: 06-23-2017 to 06-25-2017
  2. The Grandest Charge - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: 07-21-2017 to 07-23-2017
  3. Fort Wadsworth - Lake City, South Dakota: 07-28-2017 to 07-30-2017
  4. Adjunct - 46th Pennsylvania at Cedar Mountain, Virginia: 08-04-2017 to 08-06-2017
  5. Mid-19th Century Civilian Male Expo - Vienna, Virginia: 08-05-2017 to 08-06-2017
  6. Antietam Living History - Antietam NMP, Maryland: 08-26-2017 to 08-27-2017
  7. Chickamauga Living History - Chickamauga NMP, Georgia: 09-15-2017 to 09-17-2017
  8. Battle of Wauhatchie - Knoxville, Tennessee: 10-27-2017 to 10-29-2017
  9. Adjunct - Like True Badgers - Port Hudson, Mississippi: 03-23-2018 to 03-25-2018
  10. Fort Pulaski Confederate Garrison - Savannah, Georgia: 04-06-2018 to 04-08-2018
  11. Stones River Living History - Murfreesboro, Tennessee: 06-29-2018 to 07-01-2018
  12. Adjunct - The Grandest Charge - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: 07-06-2018 to 07-08-2018
  13. Guarding the Santa Fe - Fort Larned, Kansas: 10-19-2018 to 10-21-2018
  14. Averell's Advance - Droop Mountain, West Virginia: 11-02-2018 to 11-04-2018
  15. Missionary Ridge - Site to be Announced: 11-08-2019 to 11-10-2019
Kevin Dally
 
In regards to "local" events in my area:
1) There has been some loss, due to the fact that local organizers, over the years, have gotten older and younger organizers (from the town sponsoring the event) don't want to "step up" and keep events going.
2) There have been new local events (in other towns) that have taken the place of events that have faded away.
3) Reenactor numbers have not diminished.
4) I started reenacting 12 years ago, doing between 8 and 10 events per year.....Twelve years later, we still do the same amount.
5) In the last 5 years, our unit has nearly doubled in numbers of reenactors.

I do not speak for other regions of the country, but in my experience and locality, reenacting is strong!
 
In regards to "local" events in my area:
1) There has been some loss, due to the fact that local organizers, over the years, have gotten older and younger organizers (from the town sponsoring the event) don't want to "step up" and keep events going.
2) There have been new local events (in other towns) that have taken the place of events that have faded away.
3) Reenactor numbers have not diminished.
4) I started reenacting 12 years ago, doing between 8 and 10 events per year.....Twelve years later, we still do the same amount.
5) In the last 5 years, our unit has nearly doubled in numbers of reenactors.

I do not speak for other regions of the country, but in my experience and locality, reenacting is strong!
I'll second that loss of local events and organizers. I can count 6-8 events that used to be within a 2 hour drive from me that are no more, mostly because of organizational issues. Now I do several different periods, but from what I see, the hobby is making the transition to being a niche hobby and is attracting young recruits.
 
The Florida events I attended this past winter season for the most part seemed pretty well attended although there's always a shortage of Yankees down here requiring some units to galvanize. We had some new young recruits in our company which is always a good sign. I think it could be better if there wasn't some politics going on between some groups where one won't participate in another's event and vice versa which I think is ridiculous and hurts the hobby. I don't pay any mind to that stuff and go to as many as I can even if my company isn't going I'll go fall in with anybody that will take me. Getting ready to head north for a couple events in July.
 
I am basically a new recruit and hope it doesn't die off...I just got started!
Heading to one this weekend and to say I am looking forward to it is an understatement.
Have fun! Where will you be? :smile:
 
You must be in the New England area, what outfit are you with? My family is in New Hampshire. I was thinking of trying to make it up there for that event but the timing didn't work out. I'll be up there in July
I am in the 2nd Vermont. (Champlain Valley Historical Reenactors)
I have not yet been (just joined up last year). It's bi-annual and I have heard it is really a nice event. I am very excited to go. Just sounds like the weather is going to be a bit soggy....
 
You should have seen the 125th events <sigh> :showoff:
and Gettysburg 135th...

135th 52.jpeg
 
Maybe I will trade you some coffee for tobacco when we get there! (not that I smoke, but maybe the lads would buy it from me instead of that crooked sutler!)


I'd smoke some tobacco or drink some coffee! Whatever is to be traded.

See you soon!
 
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