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The Art of Historical Re-Enacting - Part 3

© Beth Mitchell

This month, Beth fills us in on more of her preparation for the upcoming re-enactment season - but this is on the fun part of the winter months!

Dateline: April 08, 1993

As I having been saying, the winter months are filled with preparing clothes, and equipment for the upcoming season. But this is not all hard work.

The Campfollowers (the women's section of the historical re-enactors) get together two or three times during the winter and early spring to elect new co-ordinators, dress consultants, and representatives to our board of directors. At these meetings we also go over the past season's events and discuss how we can improve participation, food preparation, clothing requirement and other things that go on behind the scene to ensure that at each event we attend goes smoothly and that everyone (re-enactors and the public) have an enjoyable and safe time.

The I.M.U.C. (Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada, otherwise known as the men's section of our re-enacting group) get together each week for drill practise. This is really reflected at the events with their precision on the field!!

Everyone gets together in late January, early February for an 1812 style dinner and dance. At this party, after partaking of some wonderful food, and port, we hand out various awards, and door prizes (most of these prizes are homemade and dare I say it, 1812 period related). Then we move back the tables and chairs and have a dance that ends all dances. For the past two years this party was held at Black Creek Pioneer Village. I must say that it is a lot of fun getting all dressed up in fancy period clothes when all we wear all summer are regular work-style clothes.

Well I am sure that you must know that I am not quite ready in all my preparations. So, I must go for now. I hope that I have given you a brief idea of what pre-season is like for us. My next report will be from somewhere in 1812. Talk to you then.

Till next month, Beth Mitchell

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