11-22-2013, 05:19 AM
Does a larger number mean something important?
Yeah, sure, it would be fantastic to have an event where we in the U.S. have a full 5,000 some odd manned Imperial Legion. That would be just wonderful. But, the period is just not that popular in the States. On one hand, I'm OK with that. Quality over Quantity.
On the other hand, it's down to economics and not enough free weekends. So many of us have a lot of different periods and have lots of other obligations and restrictions like work (or lack of), family, etc. That certainly seems to be the major factor across the reenacting board recently anyway.
On a side note, I went to the BGA Gettysburg 150th. That was more reenactors in one place I've seen in my entire life and time doing this reenacting thing (only about 10 years). I'm told that event had pretty low numbers, but it was some 8-10,000 more people than I've ever seen. But, once we get to 2015, what then? It's a "graying" hobby and period, a lot of reenactors [will be] retiring or getting out of the hobby, and not a lot of younger people doing it, never mind able to finance major events.
oddly enough, though, it is "easier" to "play" with firing blanks and [blackpowder] at people at a distance. It's difficult to show close-quarters sword and spear combat to the audience, as well as for reenactors to get a sense of it but still be fairly safe. If bayonet charges are totally forbidden in 'modern age' reenacting, then I don't see how pila and slingshot and arrows are going to be allowed, as there's no real way to make those "safe" enough. I personally like my teeth and don't feel like eating a sword blade or an edge of a shield. ;D But I'm veering off-topic here.
Yeah, sure, it would be fantastic to have an event where we in the U.S. have a full 5,000 some odd manned Imperial Legion. That would be just wonderful. But, the period is just not that popular in the States. On one hand, I'm OK with that. Quality over Quantity.
On the other hand, it's down to economics and not enough free weekends. So many of us have a lot of different periods and have lots of other obligations and restrictions like work (or lack of), family, etc. That certainly seems to be the major factor across the reenacting board recently anyway.
On a side note, I went to the BGA Gettysburg 150th. That was more reenactors in one place I've seen in my entire life and time doing this reenacting thing (only about 10 years). I'm told that event had pretty low numbers, but it was some 8-10,000 more people than I've ever seen. But, once we get to 2015, what then? It's a "graying" hobby and period, a lot of reenactors [will be] retiring or getting out of the hobby, and not a lot of younger people doing it, never mind able to finance major events.
oddly enough, though, it is "easier" to "play" with firing blanks and [blackpowder] at people at a distance. It's difficult to show close-quarters sword and spear combat to the audience, as well as for reenactors to get a sense of it but still be fairly safe. If bayonet charges are totally forbidden in 'modern age' reenacting, then I don't see how pila and slingshot and arrows are going to be allowed, as there's no real way to make those "safe" enough. I personally like my teeth and don't feel like eating a sword blade or an edge of a shield. ;D But I'm veering off-topic here.
Andy Volpe
"Build a time machine, it would make this [hobby] a lot easier."
https://www.facebook.com/LegionIIICyr/
Legion III Cyrenaica ~ New England U.S.
Higgins Armory Museum 1931-2013 (worked there 2001-2013)
(Collection moved to Worcester Art Museum)
"Build a time machine, it would make this [hobby] a lot easier."
https://www.facebook.com/LegionIIICyr/
Legion III Cyrenaica ~ New England U.S.
Higgins Armory Museum 1931-2013 (worked there 2001-2013)
(Collection moved to Worcester Art Museum)
