Spectators Dressing Like Reenactors?

[Poor Private]

On another forum there is a discussion goin on about the spectators going to reenactments and dressing. Dressing in farb to PEC. Do the spectators who "dress up" help our hobby or hinder it? Should they be allowed to come dressed, after all they are spectators not "part of the show". Do they enhance the event?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Its a free country, so everyone has the right to dress as they see fit within local ordinances when they attend events. I've been seeing spectators dress in everything from the leather kepi with crossed rifles on the top all the way to some pretty outstanding progressive kit. These people have their own reason for wanting to dress like that, as they all have differing ideas of supporting history. Most people who attend our events have some interest/love of history, and that is their own way of showing that support. Do they enhance our events - no, but the only people they bother are us the reenactors, and thats only if you let it. Some of them are potential recruits, some have absolutely no interest in reenacting at all, and that's fine too. I think we have much bigger problems educating out fellow living historians than worrying about what a spectator wears.

[tompritchett]

On another forum there is a discussion goin on about the spectators going to reenactments and dressing. Dressing in farb to PEC. Do the spectators who "dress up" help our hobby or hinder it? Should they be allowed to come dressed, after all they are spectators not "part of the show". Do they enhance the event?

One reason why spectators may be dressing up at some events is that they are registering as reenactors rather than as spectators. At events like Gettysburg and others, registering thus can often result in substantial savings. For example, buying a 3 day spectator advanced ticket for Gettysburg costs $57.00/adult while that same adult can register as a reenactor for $25.00. Second when a unit guest registers as a reenactor, that guest still has access to the camps even after the camps are closed to the public. Back before my wife actually started reenacting in my current unit, when she would come down to see one of our reenactments with my prior unit, we would always have her register as a reenactor just for the two above units. I am sure that my former and current units were not the only units to figure these advantages out just as I am sure that other non-unit-affiliated spectators have also discovered these advantages, especially at large events, such as Gettysburg, that have no event level enforcement of authenticity standards.

[Charles Weathers]

I come from a Renassaince reenacting background where we encourage spectators to dress up. It not only pulls them closer to actual participation but the longer they do it the more accurate they want to be and the more they want to learn about the history. I know lots of people that started out as dressed up spectators and eventually became full members of the Faire. We should always encourage a love of history!

[plankmaker]

Seeing some of the getups worn by spectators at some events (mainly Gettysburg and New Market), I'm not sure I'd encourage them to participate in much. The guy who wore what looked like a small dog on his head at Gettysburg always made me shake my head. "Hey Mister, did you know you have a critter on your head?"

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[captdougofky]

I've had them stand behind the cannons at times. They've had an ancestor who served in Artillery and they just want to show respect. I have no problem with that as long as they stay out of the way. Like one poster said, they may make a recruit. It does seem like the one's I've dealt with do have a lot of rank.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons Battery CS
Kentucky

[Robert A Mosher]

I've been at events where such folks have on ocassion been a problem by attempting to participate or just mixing in with the reenactors. While they might be accurately dressed and even equipped, they don't know the scenario and often introduce a troublesome element by contributing to the busting of the scenario. Has anyone experienced this problem and how did you deal with it?

On a related but not identical situation, we once found ourselves with two Robert E. Lees. One of them was an approved participant and the other was an unregistered 'walk-on' who had to be removed more than once and parked among the spectators.

Robert A. Mosher

[tompritchett]

I've been at events where such folks have on ocassion been a problem by attempting to participate or just mixing in with the reenactors. While they might be accurately dressed and even equipped, they don't know the scenario and often introduce a troublesome element by contributing to the busting of the scenario. Has anyone experienced this problem and how did you deal with it?

There is one teenage "reenactor" here in the Lehigh Valley who tries to pull off an early Grant impression. and, on occasion has tried to insert himself into Living History discussions and scenarios. Needless to say, to date, his impression has not even been close to being authentic (e.g., use of velco to hold his frock coat closed). At events where reenactor access is controlled, he is currently banned from registering as a reenactor ("specialty impressions must be pre-approved by event staff") and is not allowed to cross the registration point as a spectator if in uniform.

[tompritchett]

Seeing some of the getups worn by spectators at some events (mainly Gettysburg and New Market), I'm not sure I'd encourage them to participate in much.

Given the difference in prices for a 3 day spectator ticket and a reenactor registration at Gettysburg, it is not surprising that you would see such getups at Greedsburg. As far as "participation", if the individual is neither a guest member or an actual member of the units involved, IMHO, any participation of such individuals could carry serious liability issues if either that individual or a member of the public becomes injured.

[johnduffer]

While doing company drill at the Sam Davis Home I noticed we had about an 18 year old "general" marching beside us pointing directions with his sword. I did a by company into line which effectively ran over him and he decided to watch from the sidelines.

John Duffer