USA grand event, has there been one?

[Chuck Russell]

a gathering of all/most of the USA roman/celt groups? or a thought as to doing such an event?

just wondering

[Neuraleanus]

There was legionaires and civilians from all over the country in Nashville last year. We had almost a full century, about 60 legionaires. Do't know when something like that will happen again.

[Magnus]

Were they all reenactors lee? Did someone keep a talley of what groups were represented?

[Hibernicus]

In 2006.. at Lafe Arkansas, MARCH 23-26

This is going to become THE Roman re-enactment event in the USA. AK is not as central as central could be but where else in the USA can you have a Roman event within a Roman fort?

more info....

[email protected]

"Mark Saddler" <[email protected]>

[Neuraleanus]

I may of left some out, but, as I recall:

Legio III Cyrenaica
portions of Legio IX Hispana (Texas)
portions of Legio VI (California)
Legio XIV Gemina Martia Victrix (Wisconsin and Illinois)
portions of Legio XXIV
Some legios from the south were there(legio XI?)
Dan Peterson
and of course myself, representing legio XXX

[rusty myers]

Legio XI
Legio VI Ferrata
Legio I

I think that was it...

[Chuck Russell]

hmmm ft lafe how many groups are signed up so far?

[Magnus]

When you think about it....that's not so great...10 or so groups represented and only 60 guys...

Understand, I'm not bashing the event or any group...but there really aren't a lot of roman reenactors in N. America, is there?

Be interesting to take a poll and see how many there are.

[Chuck Russell]

well between us and canada theres what roughly less than 50 groups. and those are LH groups, not larps etc. i'd say the average group is 8-20 people. don't see why we couldnt ahve an outstanding event if all could get involved.

[DECIMvS MERCATIvS VARIANvS]

well between us and canada theres what roughly less than 50 groups. and those are LH groups, not larps etc. i'd say the average group is 8-20 people. don't see why we couldnt ahve an outstanding event if all could get involved.

[size=150:30da6tnl]B[/size]uild it and they will come! Witness Gary Barbossa and his Nashville event... Just build it, hype it, have an event worth people going to ([size=75:30da6tnl]and some neat "SWAG"[/size]) and it'll happen. You just need to make sure there's a minimum of inconvenience for attendees. Oh yeah, you need somewhere for all the "Ramada Rangers" to sleep, as many won't sleep on the ground in an "icky" tent ;-0 <gasp!>
DMV

[Caius Fabius]

Maybe I was wrong, but at "Nashville' who was allowed to sleep in the icky tents. I was under the impression that almost everyone was refused the permission to camp in the park overnight......

[DECIMvS MERCATIvS VARIANvS]

Maybe I was wrong, but at "Nashville' who was allowed to sleep in the icky tents. I was under the impression that almost everyone was refused the permission to camp in the park overnight......

[size=150:2glyo15t]I[/size]'m more referring to other events... I thought it was more a "special" type of event! Many events like MTA, MTT and Roman Days at Marietta let you camp there, however many reenactors don't do this -- they go off to the motel and leave the tent there. A sad thing, a nice leather tent all by its lonesome.

And yeah, I've seen many events where reenactors make faces and such at the notion of sleeping in a tent ([size=75:2glyo15t]this seems especially prevalant among new reenactors[/size]). To ME a large part of reenacting IS doing stuff like sleeping in a tent, eating period food and trying to "be there."
How's that? DMV

[Neuraleanus]

At Nashville no one had to sleep in a tent as Gary payed the hotel bill. You just had to get yourself there.

I wouldn't mind doing the camping bit, it's just that roman correct tents are a bit expensive. And, I do not access to the contribarium's mule to carry one. Someday.

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

I even got a T-shirt at this years Lafe but I paid for it. Also there are plans for offering an event Coin to participants.

Dave

[A_Volpe]

any event that tries to get as many Romans in one place from around N. America is a terrific idea...I'm just sad I missed Tennessee last year, and I doubt I could get to Arkansas this year

Even if you have 12 someodd groups and that's only 60 total people, the fact that that many people came is a great thing. Yes, it would be a terrific day when we have a Roman event like the Gettysburg anniversary with thousands of reenactors, but I think the implications/issues of such an event has been discussed and argued on here before. But to me it always comes down to ballance. If there are Romans who just want to stand and look pretty, that's fine, those of us who want to march and drill can do so while the showies "cover" for us, and those Romans who go full out and encamp, I say hooray for them too, just I'm not at that point, not yet anyways. I think the greater goal is to have as many [Romans] as possible representing as many periods as possible. Granted, some eras represented won't be as filled out as other eras, but that's besides the point. It's a showcase for the public and interested future reenactors. And, it's for US too, to have buddies and new friends all mashed together [in formation] showing off in our shiny metal armor. Booyah.

Also keep in mind not everyone who wants to attend such big events (like myself) can't always fanagle a way to do so. Just gotta keep on offering events and all. Keep an open mind and all.