Well, we had our Civil War Reenacting Unit Meeting this morning to try to outline plans for 2021.
Covid has really hit the reenactor hobby/lifestyle hard! With all the social distancing, masks and everything being cancelled our ranks are getting thin...
But a handful of us have been doing this for 20+ years so we will soldier thru!
Once things settle into what ever the new "normal" will be, we will make the most of it!
Usually we have an event, or two, every month from March to October... We will be lucky if one every other month actually happens this year... Especially in Kentucky... Tsar Andy (our governor) is killing Historical Tourism in Kentucky faster than McDonalds can get orders messed up!
If you have never been to a Civil War Reenactment you should come see what its all about. There is nothing like being able to put aside modern life and step back in time to the 1860's. No cell phones. No rush and pressure of the modern life. It can help you appreciate what we have today for sure!
It also gives you a chance to look back at simpler times and how they dealt with things such as disease. They couldn't hide at home like we do, they had to keep going. And I honestly think that made them more resistant to diseases than we are.
Anyways, to get back on topic...
Reenacting has taken a BIG hit thanks to covid... And I mean ALL eras of reenacting! Roman times, French and Indian, Revolutionary War, 1812, Spanish American, World War 1 and World War 2.
We have lost many of our older members due to sickness or physical limitations... Many Mid-age reenactors have lost jobs so do not have the financial ability to make events. Our Teens are busy trying to find where they fit in the economy so they are MIA... And the children are busy trying to get an education with these non-traditional education schemes... No age range is escaping the ravages of covid and the failing economy...
But on the upside, used gear is really easy to find for those who are just getting into the hobby/lifestyle!
I have a friend who got a hold of a 39mm German Field Artillery piece for a song and dance. He has to restore it but he got a heck of a deal! But you didn't know you can buy that kind of hardware did you??? Half-tracks, trucks, jeeps, even tanks are owned by reenactors! Of course we are also on "round up lists" if things ever do go sideways in the US...
If you ever thought about getting into reenacting now is the time to get into it! Units of all eras are on the look out for new members!
Jump on facebook and search for a reenacting group near you, you will be surprised on what your neighbors do for relaxation!
Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. I hope you got something out of them! Hope to run into a few of you at events this year!!!
And if you leave a tip, now you know where some of that ends up! Black powder and wool. :)
